1 year experience required

[ddd2012]

My dream ever since wanting to become a nurse was to become a labor and delivery nurse. Well here I am a nurse finally, I graduated in 2012 at the ripe old age of 20 got my RN and applied for a bunch of jobs and got the answers "you need a year of nursing experience then we'll talk". Finally I got an interview at a local nursing home and got a job offer and where I have worked for a year. Well now I am ready to pursue my dream, L&D nurse! Problem? I've put in probably 20+ applications and they all say that I need a years experience before they'll look at me. How am I supposed to do that??? I am so frustrated and depressed it makes me want to cry. LTC is something I never wanted to do again because I did it as a CNA in high school and it made me miserable and I am absolutely miserable now. I feel like now no hospital will look at me especially a L&D unit because I'm "tainted" by LTC. Any and all advice on how to get my foot in the door of the perinatal world would be wonderful!

Sincerely,

Devon

[ddd2012]

I also have signed up for an Advanced life support in obstetrics class to help my chances... Still looking for ACLS, pals and nrp

[deyangrey]

don't lose hope :) it's really hard to get what you desire in an instant :)

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I also have signed up for an Advanced life support in obstetrics class to help my chances... Still looking for ACLS, pals and nrp

ACLS and PALS you can get through the American Heart Association.

Try looking at your local hospital/birthing center for the NRP class.

[sourapril]

It's like dating a guy who does drugs. You can't stand him, and yet you keep dating that type of guy over and over again. If the job makes you miserable, you need to move away from that type of job. Finding a hospital job is not easy. It's even harder to get an L&D as a new nurse. Have you looked into Med Surg jobs? It's easier to get in and will give you that 1 year hospital experience that you need.

[Nurse ABC]

Yep-they want you to have one year acute hospitalexperience so find a regular med-surg position, get your experience, then start applying internally whenever a position opens up. It may not be what you want but look at it like you will be learning the computer system, departments, staff, doctors, routines, IV experience, med administration, etc and gaining more knowledge in general at the hospital where you will hopefully get your first OB position so all of that will not be in vain. Also, while you are doing that take all the advanced courses you will need for OB and learn who the OB manager is after working there and make it a point to seek him/her out to introduce yourself and your interest in transferring to OB. If you make a good impression they will be more likely to hire you there. Good luck-don't give up!