Transferring into acute care- L&D

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2020

If there's a L&D specialty board this might be a good ask for them (look under nurse specialties).

In general the advice I've given and been given: Join the national specialty group, mostly because that gives access to the local L&D specialty group. Network.

Find out what certifications are valuable and obtain (on your own time, at your own cost). I am betting ACLS is; if you need PALS or PEARS you can likely get that at a hospital.

Find some CEs that focus on this specialty, including but not limited to a best-practice conference - you'll learn about those locations when you join the specialty group. Attend one on your own time and your own dime.

Consider taking a position in a hospital that would provide you a natural path into L&D - the women's specialty unit comes to mind but again, someone with boots on the ground could best advise you.

Finally - L&D is what I thought I wanted, too, right out of nursing school. I became a nurse during the recession of 09 when nurses weren't leaving and women who had the means to weren't planning to have babies. A lot of nurses got sent home because the census at our private hospitals were low. The public hospital had a ton of women giving birth and those nurses never got censused out. So...do your research about birth rates in your county and where those are happening!

Nunya, BSN · Jan 29, 2020

You'd need NRP more than PALS...

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 29, 2020

If you're new to L&D, you will not be expected to have NRP, ACLS, or fetal heart monitoring. They will provide that for you on the job, it's fine.

Yes, it's absolutely possible to get into L&D with a background in a different area of nursing. You just need to put yourself out there - try to get nurse manager names/emails and send them a personalized email. Don't focus so much on "L&D is my dream job!!" (because we hear that all the time), but rather, focus on what you can bring to the table, and why your prior nursing experience makes you a valuable candidate.

Good luck!

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2020

On 1/29/2020 at 12:08 PM, klone said:
Don't focus so much on "L&D is my dream job!!" (because we hear that all the time), but rather, focus on what you can bring to the table, and why your prior nursing experience makes you a valuable candidate.
Good luck!

That is some awesome advice, klone!

allnurses Guide · Jan 30, 2020

If you are in a major metroplex area also investigate whether any of your large hospital systems are starting to have fellowships or transition programs for experienced nurses who want to change specialties.