Question for the nurses in L&D...

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Hi, I was hoping (and praying) that I will be accepted into my nursing program in the spring and I was wondering what you guys thought. After having my first daughter I have wanted to become a Labor and Delivery nurse and I want to increase my likelihood of getting a job in that department as soon as I graduate. I was wondering what would make me more marketable in that department? If I became a Bradley instructor? How about starting the process to become a lactation consultant? Any other ideas? I would love to hear the feedback from all you been there done that guys!! Thanks so much!!

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Perhaps you could make an appoinment for an informational interview with the manager of the L&D unit where you delivered. Tell her of your future interest in OB nursing and ask her for suggestions on educational activities, community service and volunteer positions that may help prepare you for this type of care.

In some areas of the country, the Bradley method of prepared childbirth is rarely used. If this is the case in your area, she may suggest some other route for you to "get your foot in the door". I always think breastfeeding knowledge is valuable, so that may be a good choice for you. She may also know of volunteer positions within the unit (a NICU cuddler, perhaps).

Good luck to you!

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Specializes in L&D, PP, Nursery.

In order to become a lactation consultant, you must have MANY hours of on hands experience (as a nurse) plus go through extensive training. Our lactation consultants always tell us how tough the test is to become certified even though they had many, many years of experience. I got hired straight into L&D as a new grad 12 years ago and have only done mom/baby nursing since. Our hospital will hire new grads if need be but the other hospital I work at won't even consider it!. I would take advantage of a nurse externship in the summer on an OB unit if possible. That's how our new grads got hired. They got paid CNA wages and more or less did CNA duties but they got their foot in the door and learned alot of other OB related skills in the process, plus really got to know the unit well. I did not have that opportunity. I was just lucky.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
In order to become a lactation consultant, you must have MANY hours of on hands experience (as a nurse) plus go through extensive training. Our lactation consultants always tell us how tough the test is to become certified even though they had many, many years of experience. really got to know the unit well. I did not have that opportunity. I was just lucky.

IBCLC certification requires extensive training and many documented hours of breastfeeding support, but it is not limited to nurses.

Please check the website for requirements.

http://americas.iblce.org/eligibilityrequirements.php

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