I put myself in a bad situation.

[Foxfour]

It's a long story, but I wanted to go into L&D when I graduated. Due to lack of exp, no one would hire me in that area. I ended up becoming a school nurse shortly after graduation. I tried to get a job in 3 of the bigger hospitals in WA recently (including UW, Swedish and I don't remember the other one). They all said the same thing. Since I am not a recent grad, I can't go into the internship progam, but that I don't have enough exp to be hired. I was thinking--huh??? So let me get this straight, as big as the nsg shortage is, I guess it's not effecting WA (at least not along the western portion). I have been planning this move for so long. I have had my WA lic. since last year. I have ordered the "Seattle Times" and have been looking at the "help wanted" section. I looked at every single nsg ad. I qualified for 3 jobs. Talk about depressing. I need some help from the WA nurses. Please tell me if there is a job for me on your unit. I prefer L&D, but I'm willing to work in other areas to get there if that's what it takes. I need a good orientation, since I've been out of the loop for a while (1 yr). I'm a dependable, hard worker, and I'm faithful to my employer if they our faithful to me in what they promise. Can anyone help? One more thing, I've commit myself at my current job until the end of May. You can PM me if you prefer. Thanks to all.

[steelcityrn, RN]

My advise would be to get on a med surg floor for a year or two. Then you can transfer onto ped's or L+D. A school nurse is usually a job one takes after they had their feel of hospital nursing. Good Luck to you, you will get there!

[barefootlady, ADN, RN]

Apply to some of the ads, be polite and truthful. Agree you are not a new grad but your training is limited and you would love a change . Tell them a med/surg job is good for you, work an off shift and be willing to roll your sleeves up and work hard. In a little while you will have a taker. Everybody has to start somewhere. Good luck.

[Ranger12]

It's a long story, but I wanted to go into L&D when I graduated. Due to lack of exp, no one would hire me in that area. I ended up becoming a school nurse shortly after graduation. I tried to get a job in 3 of the bigger hospitals in WA recently (including UW, Swedish and I don't remember the other one). They all said the same thing. Since I am not a recent grad, I can't go into the internship progam, but that I don't have enough exp to be hired. I was thinking--huh??? So let me get this straight, as big as the nsg shortage is, I guess it's not effecting WA (at least not along the western portion). I have been planning this move for so long. I have had my WA lic. since last year. I have ordered the "Seattle Times" and have been looking at the "help wanted" section. I looked at every single nsg ad. I qualified for 3 jobs. Talk about depressing. I need some help from the WA nurses. Please tell me if there is a job for me on your unit. I prefer L&D, but I'm willing to work in other areas to get there if that's what it takes. I need a good orientation, since I've been out of the loop for a while (1 yr). I'm a dependable, hard worker, and I'm faithful to my employer if they our faithful to me in what they promise. Can anyone help? One more thing, I've commit myself at my current job until the end of May. You can PM me if you prefer. Thanks to all.

Try MADIGAN, (Madigan Army Medical Center) :)

[alyca]

Try Harborview. They have a program for nurses who are not new grads, but need training--its basically the same program as our new grad training, just shorter, since you will pick up on things faster (they assume). We have done this for RN's who were working as reps for Central line companies, school RN's,etc. Check it out. THe programs here for new grads are also much longer than the other hospitals--12 weeks, more time given if you need it, working with a preceptor until you both agree that you are safe on your own and ready to go it alone.

[Foxfour]

Thank you all so much for your input. I'm starting to get excited about the possibility of moving to WA again. I know with all of your help, it will happen.

[SmilingBluEyes]

MY hospital does hire new grads/new to L/D nurses on occasion. PM me if you want more info.