Will an L&D preceptorship pigeonhole me later on?

[Roberta88]

Hi everyone. I'm pretty conflicted and looking for some guidance. I'm in my maternity rotation and my clinical teacher has suggested that I apply for an L&D preceptorship. I looooove L&D. But I also love other specialties (specifically ER). I'd love to be an L&D nurse one day but I feel like it would be hard to go from L&D to ER, rather than tge other way around. Also, many people try to get jobs at the site where they preceptorship since the boss may already know their work ethic. On the other hand though, if this is the last chance I get to help birth babies, I want to do it!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated...

[cscb2003]

It seems that your heart is on L&D, if that's the case go for it! Best of luck to you!!!!

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

In my experience, being hired into a specialty unit right out of school is very difficult. If you have precepted in that area, though, your chances increase greatly.

So what I'm saying is, if you want a job in L&D right out of the gate, then doing an L&D preceptorship gives you the best chance. I also don't think it will limit you significantly when applying for jobs unless you're trying to apply to another specialty area, like NICU. But if you choose to do your preceptorship in another area, it will be harder for you to get a job in L&D.