Why are there openings in OB?

JoniL&DRN · Oct 18, 2004

You know I have wondered the same thing. I myself would like to go into NICU ideally or OB secondarily. I have always wanted to work in the neonate field, since my Godson was in the NICU.... I see the same pattern and with two and a half years until I am done with nursing school I wonder... will there be openings in these feilds? Beginning of summer, no OB openings at all, now four at the large local hospital. I hope a seasoned RN can shed some light here... It is puzzling.

Jo Dirt · Oct 19, 2004

I don't want to work in OB or NICU. No one has to worry about me taking up the job they want.

I work with the old folks now and plan to work with them as an RN.

JoniL&DRN · Oct 19, 2004

I don't want to work in OB or NICU. No one has to worry about me taking up the job they want.
I work with the old folks now and plan to work with them as an RN.

That's good to know.. one less competitor for the job I guess

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 19, 2004

OB is hard to get into as a new grad. But not impossible. I managed to do so after graduating 7 years ago. But it's not common for hospitals to hire new grads into OB unless they are VERY short.

webbiedebbie · Oct 19, 2004

Labor and Delivery can be stressful. I don't do it anymore. Mother/Baby positions can be hard to find because nurses tend to keep those positions.

When I apply for positions, I ask for Mother/Baby...BUT they always ask, "Can you do Labor and Delivery?"

dosamigos76, RN · Oct 19, 2004

Come to New Mexico..... I was offered Women's Unit right out of school...turned it down for Surgical floor.

Cheryl

Sadie04 · Oct 19, 2004

I floated to post partum last week; many of those nurses are cross trained to work L&D also. There's so much seniority there that when it's time to sign up for vacations it's impossible to get what you want. There seems to be a core group of senior nurses that stay 30+ years, and another group of newer nurses that have very high turnover. I'm very thankful I don't work on that unit!

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 20, 2004

I floated to post partum last week; many of those nurses are cross trained to work L&D also. There's so much seniority there that when it's time to sign up for vacations it's impossible to get what you want. There seems to be a core group of senior nurses that stay 30+ years, and another group of newer nurses that have very high turnover. I'm very thankful I don't work on that unit!

ah yes ----this is a distinct disadvantage to LDRP/OB Nursing. There are people who have been at my unit FOREVER, whose seniority cannot ever be overcome. Fortunately, most of these people are easy to work with and I can usually get what I need if I am willing to compromise, myself. My vacations are taken when fewer others want to, e.g. October or May, when other kids are in school. Gotta be willing to BEND or you will BREAK. Many people can be reasoned with and dealt with, if you are willing to give a bit too.

Q. · Oct 20, 2004

Ditto to everything Deb said.

I also was a new grad hired into an LDRP unit and loved it. It was a stressful orientation though. What helped was my having a senior year OB clinical.

It's not impossible, just keep trying. And there are openings in OB for the very reason there are openings in any area of nursing - many nurses are just getting out - period.

Mugwump53 · Oct 20, 2004

L&D is one of those jobs that not everyone is cut out to handle. Ask anyone who loves the ED/ER. Nothing is scarier to them than on OB patient. Ask anyone else in the hospital to float to OB/Mother-Baby and they will fight coming for the most part. I am a traveler and find that there are enough jobs for me to keep traveling.

rnwithclass · Oct 20, 2004

You know I have wondered the same thing. I myself would like to go into NICU ideally or OB secondarily. I have always wanted to work in the neonate field, since my Godson was in the NICU.... I see the same pattern and with two and a half years until I am done with nursing school I wonder... will there be openings in these feilds? Beginning of summer, no OB openings at all, now four at the large local hospital. I hope a seasoned RN can shed some light here... It is puzzling.

I worked in NICU straight out of nursing school in a large urban teaching hospital. I think the hiring of new grads in these specialty areas has alot to do with the institution wanting to train new staff in their own way...in other words not getting "old" nurses with bbad habits from other institutions.