What's more desirable: Fresh New Grad vs. Experienced LD nurse from another hospital

[honestogoodness_RN]

From your experience, what have you found to be generally more desirable on a LD/Mother Baby unit: a fresh new graduate who has made an aim for the specialty by participating in preceptorships/externships and independently earned certifications in NRP, FHM etc. or a nurse who has experience either from another unit or in this specialty but from another hospital.

All viewpoints are greatly appreciated!

[ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN]

As someone who precepts, I prefer a nurse with experience, even in a different specialty. They already know how to start and IV, put in a foley, prioritize care, talk to doctors, etc. I can start just teaching them OB stuff instead of teaching them how to be a nurse first.

That being said, I don't mind new grads either. They aren't set in their ways so you can mold them to be an OB nurse without training them to stop thinking like a medsurg/ER/ICU/etc nurse. I think getting NRP as a new grad with no experience is a waste. They likely won't remember anything from the class until they can put it into practice and make sense of it. I think it shows initiative and an interest in the specialty if they get it before landing the job, but I don't think it puts them at any advantage over a new grad who hasn't taken it.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

As someone who precepts, I prefer a nurse with experience, even in a different specialty. They already know how to start and IV, put in a foley, prioritize care, talk to doctors, etc. I can start just teaching them OB stuff instead of teaching them how to be a nurse first.

An experienced nurse transferring from an Adult specialty to another specialty, I agree that it is easier to teach them the new specialty then to teach them how to be a nurse plus the specialty.

In addition to the fact of the current trend for new grads is to graduate, get a job, start NP school. Many new grads don't want to be bedside nurses and want to go into NP role as quickly as possible.

[klone, MSN, RN]

As a hiring manager, definitely the experienced nurse.

[honestogoodness_RN]

thank you to all who responded to this thread. Your insights are very much appreciated. I interviewed for a LD position that was considering qualified GNs but am certain that there were experienced nurses who interviewed as well. I see both arguments for/against hiring GN in to a specialty such as this. I am remaining optimistic that my 150 hr externship will work in my favor and that they will take a chance on me.

I feel this specialty is my calling. After taking every attempt in nursing school to obtain deeper knowledge and experience in this specialty i know in my heart there is no other specialty for me. I did my externship on the unit I interviewed for. There is a familiarity with their practices, mission, team work and patient centered care that aligns with my nursing practice. I see myself working for this unit for the remainder of my career. I felt I made a good point making this known during my interview. Because of my passion and my work ethic, I feel that if they took a chance on hiring me, that in a year they would look back say that it was worth it. I want to make this happen both for myself, for this unit, and for the profession itself. I'm praying this opportunity pans out. If not, I know I will get there after taking the steps necessary to make it all happen.

Thank you again!