Should I omit some of my nursing experience to get a job in L&D?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

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I’ve been a nurse since 2018. Started off in Medsurg, but always knew I wanted to do L&D, PP, or Peds. I picked up a job as a homecare pediatrics nurse (to gain some kind of experience) while simultaneously working as a medsurg nurse in March of 2020. I quit my medsurg job last Summer and decided to fully focus on obtaining a job in L&D or postpartum. I have a lot of experience working with children (Daycare teacher’s assistant, CNA on a peds floor), but no L&D experience. Since I quit medsurg, I’ve had interviews for L&D, but no luck in securing a position due to my lack of experience in L&D. Most of the time, I pass the HR interview, but my application is immediately rejected after it’s sent to the manager. I’ve only interviewed with a unit manager once. I came across a new graduate/residency position in a neighboring state. I’ve applied to other residencies in the past, but have been disqualified due to my experience as a nurse (most want new grads or nurses with 12 months or less if nursing experience). I’m really tempted to just omit some of my nursing experience in order to qualify. Part of me thinks it’s not ethical, but the other part of me doesn’t care. What do you think I should do? 

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20 hours ago, Newishnurse1995 said:

... I’ve applied to other residencies in the past, but have been disqualified due to my experience as a nurse (most want new grads or nurses with 12 months or less if nursing experience). I’m really tempted to just omit some of my nursing experience in order to qualify. Part of me thinks it’s not ethical, but the other part of me doesn’t care. What do you think I should do? [emphasis added]

Your resume is your introduction to a potential employer.  If you want to tailor it to make certain features stand out, by all means.  However, if the employment application asks you to list all previous employment within a specified time, and many do, this could be viewed as submitting a false application.  If discovered, this could result in immediate termination.

Best wishes.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Omitting job experience to qualify for a position that you would not otherwise qualify for is fraudulent and I'm sure would be grounds for immediate termination once they learn about it.

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My best advice to you would be to join AWHONN and take a couple courses to highlight on your resume. I would recommend basic fetal monitoring and a high risk OB course. This is the standardized training and shows the hiring manager that you are serious about that career choice. I would highlight it in two places on your resume, like on your objective “AWHONN fetal monitoring certified Registered Nurse seeking experience....” and then put that membership and course high up on your resume. I would be very willing to bet this would get you to the next step in an interview! 

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3 hours ago, aestheticnurse7 said:

My best advice to you would be to join AWHONN and take a couple courses to highlight on your resume. I would recommend basic fetal monitoring and a high risk OB course. This is the standardized training and shows the hiring manager that you are serious about that career choice. I would highlight it in two places on your resume, like on your objective “AWHONN fetal monitoring certified Registered Nurse seeking experience....” and then put that membership and course high up on your resume. I would be very willing to bet this would get you to the next step in an interview! 

Thank you! Good idea

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Specializes in nursing ethics.

You might get away with it or possibly be discovered later. It's a chance. People do this in other occupations but nursing is altogether different. Ask yourself if it is worth the risk. I don't know your age or where you are.

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