Switching specialties to L&D

Published

Hi,

I am wanting/needing some advice, wisdom, support or tough love. I am a new grad who just started my first job at a local large hospital. I have always wanted to work in L&D. This was my passion since before I even knew I wanted to become an RN. Through school, it's all I thought about, and I couldnt wait to become a L&d nurse. I graduated top of my class and did my final preceptorship in L&D. Once I graduated I found out I had to move states. When I finished moving, I began to apply for jobs. Every L&D job in my area wanted at least a year of RN experience. I got very very lucky getting hired in the unit I am at (ICU) but it is not in L&D. The unit im working at never hire's new grads, and agreed to hire and train me. Although I love the people I work with, and my job is great, I can't shake the feeling that this is not my passion, I am in the wrong specialty. My passion is in women's health, labor and delivery. I want to become a midwife eventually. I plan on giving this unit around 2 years of work before seeking out L&D jobs since they were so kind to train me. I am also planning on becoming a doula in the meantime to keep my foot in women's health. I am trying to keep my head up, and believing that soon I will be able to work in the area I am passionate about. I know some nurse managers look down on applicants who apply to a position if they have not been at their current job for over a year yet. I am so thankful for my job and his experience I am getting, and I know many have not been so lucky in the job market.What would you say is a good amount of time to work and get experience before I apply to L&D? How can I keep myself marketable to the L&D managers?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med-surg, mother-baby, teaching, peds.

Go inpatient for a year or two at the facility where you want to be in L&D then request transfer up to Mother-Baby, couplet care or in small hospitals a Women's care into. Unit . Always good idea to work in a high risk area before going to L&D. Such

unit also likes those who had prior OR experience .

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D.

I agree with MSN. I started out in L&D, worked at my hospital for 11 months, and then moved to another state and continue to work L&D. My current job liked that I had OR experience as they are cross training staff to work in their OR(for birthing only for the most part) and it was a plus that I had circulated my own sections at my previous job. I don't know that you have to give it a full 2 years in ICU, but I would at least get that 1 year. It seems after that, you are almost golden.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, OR.

As a nurse manager in L&D I would LOVE to hire someone for L&D who had a passion for it and had critical care experience! Same with OR experience. Keep trying!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

I agree with k-t-did! ICU nurses are great in labor and delivery. Even though the patient population is markedly different, L&D nurses need to be able to deal with drastic fluctuation in acuity, be comfortable making autonomous decisions, and be able to think on their feet.

I think doula training is a great idea. You might also consider getting childbirth education training. It's a great way to learn about L&D and make contacts in the field.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the encouragement. Do you think one year is long enough to work before putting in for a transfer? im feeling frustrated because I'm working 50+ hour weeks right now so I can be trained to take on call time and am feeling like it will be all for nothing once I transfer. I hope that L&D will like my experience and want to hire me, because that is my ultimate goal and passion

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

I transferred out of my previous unit (ICU Stepdown) to my current unit (Mother/Baby) when I hit my 1 year. I was in a GN Residency program at that time but was lucky my then manager never let me sign a 2 year contract, in which case I would be required to stay for that length of time before I could request a transfer.

When you're close to your year, start looking at openings in L&D. Many want at least 1 year experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Your post sounds like me!!! I've always wanted to get into L&D. A nurse in school told me "honey, you have to wait for one of us to keel over first, we love our job!"

I'm a FT charge nurse on a m/s floor. Keep looking for a FT opening. I've applied for PRN but keep getting told need to start FT d/t extensive orientation if no prior L&D experience. Sucks because for a long time I wanted to be a midwife, no idea if I'd really like it till I get into L&D.

Guess we need to keep trying!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

I have the same issue. I've been a certified birth/postpartum doula for 3 years now. I am a new grad BSN RN working on a critical care / progressive care unit doing a nurse residency program, but I feel very frustrated and like I'm in the wrong place. I did an accelerated program and graduated top of my class. I returned to the hospital where I was a CNA to hopefully get into perinatal nursing but it didn't work out. I just started teaching childbirth education classes with my local doula organization, and I am getting some fetal monitoring credits through AWHONN. I hope to reapply to L&D after finishing my residency program this Summer. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment