Labor and delivery nurse career guide

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Labor and delivery nurses have a unique job. They provide care during labor, assist the delivery of healthy babies, and care for newborns during the postpartum period. They are responsible for bringing new life into this world. This makes it a fulfilling career choice and one that is always in demand.

Labor and delivery nursing is a specialization that registered nurses (RNs) can pursue. These nurses typically work in hospitals, clinics, or birthing centers. They provide emotional and psychological support, monitor a woman’s condition during labor, seek appropriate treatments as needed, and provide care during and immediately after delivery.

Labor and delivery nurse overview

Labor and delivery nurses usually work with other medical professionals, including midwives, physicians, and obstetricians. Unlike other nursing roles, these nurses have very specific tasks and work with a small number of patients each day, spending a considerable amount of time with each one.

In this article, you can read about the job responsibilities of labor and delivery nurses and discover what education and licenses are required. The skills and attributes that suit this profession and opportunities for potential career development are also covered.

What does a labor and delivery nurse do?

A labor and delivery nurse assists mothers during the later stages of pregnancy by, for example, monitoring the mother’s health for potential complications. After the pregnancy, a labor and delivery nurse continues to help the mother, providing both care and education.

How hard is it to become a labor and delivery nurse?

To become a labor and delivery nurse, you first need to become a registered nurse. Generally speaking, the job prospects for registered nurses are good, with a projected growth of 7% predicted between 2019 and 2029. The states with the highest concentration of jobs are South Dakota, West Virginia, Mississippi, Rhode Island, and Delaware.

Benefits of being a labor and delivery nurse

The most obvious benefit is the opportunity to help bring so many new lives into the world. This is a momentous experience for every mother, and a labor and delivery nurse gets to be part of it on a daily basis.

How long does it take to become a labor and delivery nurse?

Typically, it takes 2-4 years, depending on whether you choose to pursue an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. After achieving this education, you usually need to work as registered nurse for at least a year to specialize in labor and delivery.

Labor and delivery nurse certificate opportunities

To gain experience as an RN you need a state nursing license. Prospective nurses can sit for the RN license exam, the NCLEX-RN, after graduating from either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. The NCLEX-RN is set by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

After accumulating 2 years of experience as an RN working with mothers and newborns, nurses can take an exam to get a credential in inpatient obstetric nursing (RNC-OB) from the National Certification Corporation (NCC). This credential is beneficial in securing a permanent role as a labor and delivery nurse, or providing opportunities to take on greater responsibilities.

Associate degree in nursing (ADN)

The fastest way to become an RN is through an ADN. These programs usually require 18 months to 2 years of study. You need to complete between 65 and 80 credits and take some general education courses.

The nursing curriculum includes:

• clinical judgment and critical care
• human anatomy and physiology
• basic nutrition
• pathophysiology
• health assessments

Typically, students complete theoretical units, lab work, clinical courses, and a capstone project in leadership. As part of the application process, students need to submit the following:

• high school transcripts showing a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher
• standardized test scores
• evidence of immunizations and health insurance

Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)

A BSN is a longer but more in-depth route to a career in nursing. It generally requires 4 years of full-time study, with around 50 credits in general education and over 60 credits in nursing.

The BSN curriculum typically includes:

• parent and child nursing
• health assessment and promotion
• pharmacology
• pathophysiology
• healthcare ethics
• adult and elderly nursing

Most degree programs include a case study or capstone project, set clinical hours, and community nursing. College admission departments generally require:

• high school transcripts showing at least a 3.0 GPA
• a recommendation letter
• standardized test scores

4 steps to become a labor and delivery nurse

Step 1

The first step is to earn a nursing degree. This can be either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).

Step 2

Pass the NCLEX exam to receive your RN license.

Step 3

Most labor and delivery nurses are expected to accumulate 1 year of experience working as an RN before they specialize. After this, they can gain experience in labor and delivery by working at a hospital, clinic, or other birthing facility, to become a labor and delivery nurse.

Step 4

After accruing some work experience – typically, 2,000 hours of clinical practice over at least 2 years, labor and delivery nurses can choose to get certified. For example, inpatient obstetric nursing certification can lead to increased job opportunities.

Working as a labor and delivery nurse

The average annual salary for labor and delivery nurses is $65,414, or an average hourly rate of $31.45.

Duties of labor and delivery nurses include:

• monitor patient and provide direct care to mother and baby
• communicate patient status to other members of the team
• evaluate needs and refer as appropriate
• administer medications and epidurals

Due to the high demand, there are often opportunities to work as a labor and delivery travel nurse. In this role, nurses move between different facilities providing care and support in different locations as required.

The position involves a significant amount of patient contact with mothers, newborns, family members, midwives, and doctors. Midwives play a different role from labor and delivery nurses, and thus require different qualifications – as the table below shows.

Skills needed to be a labor and delivery nurse

The role of a labor and delivery nurse requires a specific set of skills as listed here.

Advance your career as a labor and delivery nurse

After working as a labor and delivery nurse, nurses may decide that they want to progress to roles that come with greater responsibility, knowledge, and higher salaries. The next step up the career ladder is usually to become either a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) or a nurse practitioner (NP) in obstetrics and gynecology. Both options require a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with different specializations.

MSN programs

MSN degree programs equip you to progress from an RN to an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). To become a nurse practitioner in obstetrics and gynecology typically means embarking on a family nurse specialization. Nurses interested in becoming CNMs commonly choose a nursing midwifery specialty.

MSN programs include:

• leadership and management
• advocacy and population health
• rotations in clinical settings
• healthcare and technology
• advanced nurse practice in reproductive health care

Who is this career best for?

A career as a labor and delivery nurse appeals to people seeking a career in nursing that specifically provides nursing care and support to new mothers and babies. This work tends to be limited to clinical healthcare settings and is not suitable for part-time or remote workers due to the shift work and long hours involved.