What can I do to give me a better chance of getting L&D position

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Specializes in Pulmonary med/surg/telemetry.

I'll be entering clinicals this fall and I just wondered if you could give me some advice. I would love to work in L&D. We have 3 large hospitals where I live and even though almost every unit has problems with nursing shortages, L&D is not one. Very few spots open up and when they do they are very competetive.

They do hire new nurses on the unit and I was wondering what I can do to help me stand out when applying for L&D after graduation. I have a 4.0 GPA in pre-reqs and am hoping that I can do just as well in clinicals. I know to make sure to put special effort into the maternity section of clinicals, but other than that is there anything else I can do?

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

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Specializes in ED.
I'll be entering clinicals this fall and I just wondered if you could give me some advice. I would love to work in L&D. We have 3 large hospitals where I live and even though almost every unit has problems with nursing shortages, L&D is not one. Very few spots open up and when they do they are very competetive.

They do hire new nurses on the unit and I was wondering what I can do to help me stand out when applying for L&D after graduation. I have a 4.0 GPA in pre-reqs and am hoping that I can do just as well in clinicals. I know to make sure to put special effort into the maternity section of clinicals, but other than that is there anything else I can do?

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

get a job on the floor you want to work on if possible. if they hire NA's or techs, that would be ideal. However, you could also volunteer to do L&D tours to new parents or volunteer to do other things on the floor. Anything you can do to get your foot in the door will help.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

Most nurses I talked to say employers can care less about GPA. Thus, keep up the good work in school but don't count on GPA opening any doors.

Instead, follow the above poster's suggestion and/or become a Nurse Extern on a L&D floor when you are eligible. Most former Nurse Externs and Techs that I know, who are now RNs, were the first ones picked for specialty floors upon graduation. GL.:up:

Sincerely,

A Former Hospital Tech, currently a Nurse Extern, and soon to be a RN

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Specializes in L&D.
get a job on the floor you want to work on if possible. if they hire NA's or techs, that would be ideal. However, you could also volunteer to do L&D tours to new parents or volunteer to do other things on the floor. Anything you can do to get your foot in the door will help.

I agree with this. Honestly, I've never had an employer look at my grades. Unless you put it on your resume'.

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