Transition from med-surg to labor and delivery

[StyleNurse, BSN, RN]

Hi fellow RNs! For the last two years I have been applying everywhere to get to my dream job in L&D with no luck so far. I have been an RN for two years now with experience on a med-surg unit and an oupatient clinic. The hospital I currently work for does not have an OB unit. To those of you who've been in a similar predicament, how long did it take you to find a job in L&D? Also, any insight on your experience transitioning into the specialty would be great. Thanks!

[FlyingButterfly]

Apply for a medicine position even causal in a hospital having a L&D Unit in order to become an internal applicant when applying for L&D positions....At the same time take/register for any Mom/baby related training courses such as neonate recusitation, breastfeeding, etc...You could add those certificates into your resume, or at least, you could mention you were registered for those course(s).Study for the interview from OB section of one of NCLEX-RN textbooks (Saunders Review is a good one)...Good luck!

[Postpartum RN]

OP, have you had any luck getting interviews? I won't say how many years it took me, it will be too much of a discouragement. Let's just say more than twice as long as you have been an RN...it was really really hard. I started floating to OB unit as a float at my hospital just to wet my feet in that area and be able to put it on my resume, and I think that helped me land an interview soon after.

Since your hospital doesn't have an OB unit I know my advice isn't helpful. The previous poster had a good idea about getting a job at another hospital in med surg and then applying as an internal to the OB unit. Otherwise my only advice is to get as many certifications as you can to show that this is what you want. You will get there someday, don't give up and keep applying!