Trying to transition from medical to mother/baby, need advice!

Published

I hope somebody can give me some advice. I have 2 years of experience on a med/surg/tele floor and now have 2 years of experience in home healthcare. I have always had an interest in postpartum/mother-baby nursing. I just got into medical because that's where the road took me and I also wanted to have that experience before specializing. I have tried out home healthcare and have enjoyed many parts about it, but now I'm ready for a change. I've been thinking more and more about going into mother/baby. I really want to try to get onto a unit, but I'm worried that because of my lack of experience in that area that I wouldn't be considered as a candidate.

Is there anything that any of you recommend I can do to make myself stand out? Classes I can take? What to put on my resume that this specialty would like to see?

Is there anyone out there who also made this kind of transition? And if so, how have you liked the change. What do you like or don't like about mother-baby vs med/surg, etc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I got into maternity services straight out of school, so I don't have a lot of perspective on switching, but I would definitely get NRP and ACLS-OB certified if you can :) that will be a big boost on your resume for something you'll need in that area

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Postpartum, Med Surg, Home Health.

I just recently made the switch into OB nursing after many years of wanting and trying. I love it! It's completely different than medsurg or home health. It's a happy place for the most part, for the most part people are healthy, you will sometimes get sick moms or sick babies. There is a lot to learn however, there are some great threads on here with a lot of details, and very recently someone posted a whole assessment on babies and mothers which is very helpful, search for it (sorry I don't know how to link it on my phone).

I agree with previous poster start getting some of your certifications for OB/newborn nursing, breastfeeding classes etc; this will stand out on your resume and will show that you are very interested and not just merely looking to try something new.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I my self made the transition from medical to labour and delivery. I've been a nurse since 2011 and have been struggling to get in to this area for about 2 solid years now. What I did, and this might sound crazy lol, but in my hospital I work at, I found out who the nurse manager was for L&D and emailed her personally. I told her my background and how eager I was to work for the obstetrics unit. Every single time there was a position posted , I would apply and then like a crazy stalker, I would email her. I did this off and on for almost a solid year, year in a half. Finally I got my break and she emailed me back. She eventually got me in for an interview and I will be starting this week to be exact. So I feel your pain bc it can take a while. My advice is don't be afraid to look like a crazy person In the most professional way possible lol 😆. Send a resume. Drop one under her door. Call and talk to her. Keep your expectations low but always sound eager and willing to do whatever it takes. Sell yourself aswell. Although u may not have experience in that particular area, you do have experience. And that is important and valuable. Good luck !! Crossing my fingers for ya

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I became a mother/baby nurse about a year ago and I had a year and a half of med/surg experience. I didn't take any certification classes prior to becoming a med/surg nurse. My advice would be just to go for it! I am so much happier with my job than I was in med/surg. I love working with new moms and babies and the environment is so much happier. Good luck! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks everyone for your helpful advice! I do appreciate it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree, I have been a RN on a Surg/Tele floor for 1 year. No experience, no extra certifications and I have always heard that M/B and L&D are the hardest floors to get on.. PERSISTENCE is the only advice I have. Every time I saw a position, whether or not I qualified, I applied and applied and applied! Also I networked, anyone who worked in these departments or knew someone who did I was asking questions and looking for openings. I agree do not give up!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Mother/baby, Lactation Consultant.

I have been working in the area of Maternal-Child health for over 19 years. I would agree with the first poster and get you NRP. It depends on if you are interested in L&D or postpartum. In a lot of smaller hospitals you would need to do both. It is much more difficult to train someone in L&D, then postpartum, so if L&D is your goal I would look for some type of L&D training program. For Mother/baby, take some breastfeeding classes, maybe look into becoming an IBCLC. You could do classes to get an CLE. Which would show your strong interest and determination to work in this specialty. Then go for it! Just start applying for any openings, but do it now, because hospitals don't really like it when you have been out of the hospital environment for too long. Home health experience is great, but a lot of facilities don't see it as acute care experience. At least that has been my experience in California. Good Luck!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion