question for those in L&D

HI,

I was just accepted into nursing school and have always wanted to work labor and delivery. My question is how did you all get into L&D when all positions open seem to require a year of L&D experience.

thanks for you answers!

Personally, I got a job on Postpartum as a Nurse Tech (CNA) and did an outstanding job and made an excellent impression on management and the other nurses. Then I mentioned how L&D was where I always wanted to be ... two years later I've graduated from Nursing School and am currently in my third week of orientation to L&D. It was all about getting my foot in the door and doing a good job no matter what the task.

Best of luck to you!

Personally, I got a job on Postpartum as a Nurse Tech (CNA) and did an outstanding job and made an excellent impression on management and the other nurses. Then I mentioned how L&D was where I always wanted to be ... two years later I've graduated from Nursing School and am currently in my third week of orientation to L&D. It was all about getting my foot in the door and doing a good job no matter what the task.

Best of luck to you!

That's my plan. I take my CNA course this summer. Praying that a Tech position opens up soon after that!

HI,

I was just accepted into nursing school and have always wanted to work labor and delivery. My question is how did you all get into L&D when all positions open seem to require a year of L&D experience.

thanks for you answers!

The large teaching hospitals often take new grads.

My hospital hired 5 new grads last year when I graduated. Unfortunately of the 5 only 2 of us are left. This may be part of the reason L&D doesn't often hire new grads.

Look for a hospital offering an internship program for new grads.

It's true that most advertised open L&D positions are for experienced nurses, but many hospitals do hire new grads - pretty much all of the hospitals in my area do.

My hospital hired 5 new grads last year when I graduated. Unfortunately of the 5 only 2 of us are left. This may be part of the reason L&D doesn't often hire new grads.

I was wondering if you could tell why the others that started with you are no longer there. Just curious, I am thinking of going into L&D after graduation in the fall. Several hospitals in my area have programs in L&D for new grads. But I have also heard that some people just can't make it as a new grad.

thanks!

Thank you to everyone for your responses. I was getting a little discouraged seeing all these job openings that require experience.

thanks

I was wondering if you could tell why the others that started with you are no longer there. Just curious, I am thinking of going into L&D after graduation in the fall. Several hospitals in my area have programs in L&D for new grads. But I have also heard that some people just can't make it as a new grad.

thanks!

Sure. One never passed boards, has taken them 3 times, and is working as a PCT. One left to work as a school nurse, she was a very quiet shy type and I honestly think the staff scared her off. One did well, but left our facility to go to another hospital.

The two that are left are me and another girl I graduated with. Funny thing is some of the other nurses tell me all the time that we are the 2 that they thought would never make it.

Backhanded compliment I guess.

It just depends on where you are. I suggest you follow the advice given. Find a hospital that offers L and D residencies, that is where you start.

You may get lucky and get into L/D right out of school anyhow. I did. Don't lose hope. But DO get to know the nurses/manager at the place you do clinicals. I would say the majority of new grads who get jobs in OB find them where they did their senior preceptorship. It pays to know people who can help you out, ya know?

Thank you to everyone for your responses. I was getting a little discouraged seeing all these job openings that require experience.

thanks

I think some people think that all OB nurses do is sit around, eat bon bons, and rock babies. There is so much more to it that that. Others do not see past that.

Some find that post partum is extremely boring. That can happen with nursery as well.

Then people jump into L&D and are NOT prepared for how stressful it can be. It's usually an adrenalin rush much of the time and some find that taking care of one you can see and the other you cannot see is too much.

It takes at least a year to even begin to feel comfortable with L&D. Some just find out that it isn't at all what they had envisioned.

I think some people think that all OB nurses do is sit around, eat bon bons, and rock babies. There is so much more to it that that. Others do not see past that.

Some find that post partum is extremely boring. That can happen with nursery as well.

Then people jump into L&D and are NOT prepared for how stressful it can be. It's usually an adrenalin rush much of the time and some find that taking care of one you can see and the other you cannot see is too much.

It takes at least a year to even begin to feel comfortable with L&D. Some just find out that it isn't at all what they had envisioned.

I'm sure some people do think that. Just like what people think about teaching...that it isn't that much work..which is WRONG. I am a teacher and it is a lot of work for very little money. I guess unless you are actually involved in something you don't really know what it consists of.

My aunt was a Labor and Delivery, PP , nursery and NICU nurse. I have heard all about it from her! I also volunteered in a hospital for about 5 years before I started college the first time. I have had 2 children and have tried to make it to every birth in my family..which is MANY..lol. I think of course there will be some things I'll be surprised about and of course A LOT I dont' know yet, but I do have a pretty good idea of what to expect. As of now L&D or post partum are really the only areas I think I'd be really happy in.

It is somewhat discouraging though to see ads that all require experience that you can't get unless someone gives you an opportunity. I guess I have 2 more years to go before I have to cross that bridge though:).

thanks for all the advice everyone!