Can new grads (RN) start work in labor and delivery?

Yes they can, but don't do it. When you become a new grad RN get your feet wet on a med surg floor, then go to pediatrics, then go to L&D if you want to do that, or do a critical care course and go to NICU. Its good to broaden your horizons and learn the basics from the ground up. Med surg nursing will give you a good nursing foundation. Do it for six months to a year and then move on. Don't restrict your background of experience only to one specialty area from the beginning. You may think that you like that one area right now but there's always the possibility that you'll change your mind about it later. L&D nursing is about caring for pregnant women during childbirth and immediately after the baby is born. NICU nursing is critical care nursing in which you work only with critically ill neonates or unstable preemies.