How To Become A Labor And Delivery Nurse | NurseJournal.org (2024)

how long to become 2-4 years
degree required ADN or BSN
certification Inpatient Obstetric NursingCertification in Electronic Fetal Monitoring Optional

Want to become a labor and delivery nurse? Labor and delivery nurses play crucial roles in the birthing process, and they can make higher salaries than registered nurses (RNs) with an average hourly pay of $32.09 or $68,720 a year.

Labor and delivery nurses work with doctors and other nurses at hospitals and birthing centers to keep pregnant individuals and babies healthy and safe. This is all the more important now since maternal mortality rates have jumped from 17.4% to 23.8% between 2018-2020.

It takes a college degree and an RN license to become a labor and delivery nurse. Find out how to become a labor and delivery nurse, the education needed, and get answers to frequently asked questions.

What Is a Labor and Delivery Nurse?

Births in the United States rose by 1% from 2020-2021. Roughly 3.66 million babies were born during that time. At birthing centers and hospitals, labor and delivery nurses use their clinical training to keep pregnant persons and their newborns safe during labor, birth, and postpartum.

Because each patient's needs differ, labor and delivery nurses work with doctors to create culturally relevant and age-specific plans of care. Labor and delivery nurses have specialized clinical duties such as monitoring fetal heart tones, identifying risks for pregnant individuals and newborns, and assessing the progress of labor.

They also might assist in the operating room during cesarean sections, administer medications, and provide emotional support.

Labor and delivery nurses may work during the day, night, or mid-day shift in maternity wards or as travel nurses. In every setting, labor and delivery nurses keep in communication with doctors and families, especially during a life-threatening emergency.

Steps to Becoming a Labor and Delivery Nurse

Becoming a labor and delivery nurse requires a two-year or four-year college degree. Labor and delivery nurses also need an RN license and clinical experience. Employers also may request current certification in basic life support and advanced cardiac life support, common credentials for all RNs.

  1. 1

    Earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree.

    An ADN degree serves as the minimum degree needed and the quickest pathway to become a labor and delivery nurse. To take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), nursing students must earn an ADN or a BSN degree.

    BSN degrees, which require 2-4 years depending on prior college experience, can increase a nurse's earning power. A higher degree can create opportunities to advance in nursing, such as becoming a nurse practitioner, which requires a graduate degree.

  2. 2

    Pass the NCLEX to Receive RN Licensure

    After completing an ADN or a BSN degree, graduates can take the NCLEX-RN exam. How soon they can take the NCLEX exam depends on the state. Generally, graduates take the NCLEX, a computer-adaptive exam, about 45 days after graduating from nursing school.

    Administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the NCLEX-RN tests a nurse's competency and readiness to practice in a clinical setting.

  3. 3

    Gain Experience in Obstetric Nursing

    Nursing students complete clinical experiences, often doing rotations in specialty areas of nursing, such as obstetrics. These clinical rotations can lead to full-time jobs. Students also make job connections through faculty and instructors.

    After graduation, students can secure jobs in maternity wards of hospitals. Labor and delivery nurses need clinical experience in obstetrics to earn certification.

  4. 4

    Consider Earning a Specialty Certification

    RNs get certified to validate their expertise in a specialty area of nursing. Employers prefer certified nurses who have completed required clinical hours in their specialty area and passed an exam.

    Certifications can increase a nurse's job prospects and the ability to negotiate a higher RN salary. Many certifications help nurses to change healthcare settings and secure leadership positions.

    The National Certification Corporation offers certification exams that include inpatient obstetric nursing and low-risk neonatal intensive care nursing. Maternal newborn nursing, neonatal neurointensive care, and obstetric and neonatal quality and safety are also options.

Featured Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Labor and Delivery Nurse Education

Labor and delivery nurses need compassion, strong communication, and critical thinking skills. Becoming a labor and delivery nurse also requires graduating from an accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN exam.

ADN Degree

People who want a quick path to become a labor and delivery nurse can get an ADN degree in 1-2 years. Graduates who hold an ADN from an accredited program can use their credits to later earn a BSN.

An ADN serves as the minimum requirement to take the NCLEX-RN exam and get licensure, but some employers prefer labor and delivery nurses with a BSN.

  1. 1

    Admission Requirements

    A high school diploma or its equivalent; math and reading courses and a writing proficiency exam; minimum 2.5 GPA; prerequisite courses

  2. 2

    Program Curriculum

    60-70 credits in developmental psychology, microbiology, human anatomy and physiology, pharmacological, family health nursing, and health internships

  3. 3

    Time to Complete

    1-2 years

  4. 4

    Skills Learned

    Clinical training to monitor and care for patients; using catheters and tube feeding systems; dispensing medication; lab experience in a healthcare facility

BSN Degree

A BSN degree suits nurses who have earned a nursing diploma or an ADN and want career advancement. BSN degrees take about four years, but licensed RNs can also enter RN-to-BSN degree programs and graduate quicker.

BSN nurses have higher pay brackets and more career opportunities than nurses with ADN degrees. For example, BSN nurses can earn higher degrees to become advanced practice registered nurses.

Many employers and professional nursing organizations also recommend hiring nurses who hold higher degrees and training.

  1. 1

    Admission Requirements

    Minimum 2.5 or higher GPA; high school diploma, its equivalent, or an ADN degree; resume; clinical or volunteer experience; letters of reference; an essay

  2. 2

    Program Curriculum

    Biomedical statistics and research; nursing fundamentals; physical assessment in nursing; pharmacology; leadership; community health; medical-surgical nursing; psychiatric and mental health nursing

  3. 3

    Time to Complete

    2-4 years

  4. 4

    Skills Learned

    Critical thinking; evidence-based practice; clinical assessments and population health skills; information management; patient care technology; leadership and management

Labor and Delivery Nurse Licensure and Certification

Labor and delivery nurses need an RN license to practice. Each state has different RN requirements to maintain an RN license. Nurses need to complete about 25-30 board-approved contact hours of continuing education for nurses to renew their RN license.

Employers do not require certification, but having credentials can boost a nurse's job prospects and salary potential.

Possible certifications for labor and delivery nurses include inpatient obstetric nursing, electronic fetal monitoring, and low-risk neonatal intensive care nursing. To be eligible for certification, nurses must have a current RN license and about two years of nursing experience, which amounts to roughly 2,000 clinical hours in the specialty area.

Working as a Labor and Delivery Nurse

Colleges offer a lot of career services for nurses. During clinical rotations in nursing school, students can work in the obstetrics unit at their local hospital and meet labor and delivery unit nurse managers. Local healthcare facilities, clinics, and hospitals also offer volunteer experience for nursing students. These experiences can lead to job offers. Additionally, faculty at nursing schools can provide recommendations and job references.

Professional nursing organizations like the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses also post job listings for labor and delivery positions. Labor and delivery nurses secure careers in hospital maternity units, health clinics, or as travel nurses.

Labor and delivery nurses earn an average hourly pay of $29.76 in the first 1-4 years of their career and an average of about $39.95 per hour after 20 years or more in nursing, according to Payscale in July 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Labor and Delivery Nurse

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

Becoming a labor and delivery nurse takes about 2-4 years. The exact time line depends on the degree earned. Certification requires an additional 1-2 years of work experience.

What skills do you need to be a labor and delivery nurse?

Labor and delivery nurses need compassion, patience, and the clinical skills to care for pregnant individuals and their newborns. They also need solid critical thinking for nurses and communication skills to deliver information to physicians, patients, and family members.

Do labor and delivery nurses do C-sections?

No. Labor and delivery nurses do not perform cesarean sections. The attending physician performs planned and emergency C-sections, while labor and delivery nurses assist in the operating room and oversee patient recovery.

What is the difference between a labor and delivery nurse and a nurse midwife?

Nurse midwives work intimately with pregnant persons before childbirth to create birthing plans, often delivering babies outside of healthcare facilities. Becoming a nurse midwife requires a graduate degree and certification to work, unlike labor and delivery nurses who can work with only an ADN degree.


Page last reviewed June 28, 2022


Related Pages

How To Become A Labor And Delivery Nurse | NurseJournal.org (2024)

FAQs

How To Become A Labor And Delivery Nurse | NurseJournal.org? ›

To become a labor and delivery nurse, you must have a two- or four-year nursing degree, an active RN license, and clinical experience. Employers may also request basic life support and advanced cardiac life support certifications.

Is becoming a labor and delivery nurse hard? ›

Do you know what are the pros and cons of being a labor and delivery nurse? Being a labor and delivery nurse is no easy task. It requires a lot of patience, skill, and knowledge to take care of new parents during one of the most critical times in their lives.

Why do you want to become a labor and delivery nurse? ›

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a Labor & Delivery nurse is the unparalleled sense of joy and fulfillment that comes from assisting mothers as they bring new life into the world. Witnessing the miracle of birth and being a part of that transformative experience is a unique privilege.

Is it hard to get into labor and delivery? ›

Is it hard to get into labor and delivery nursing? Nursing in general is competitive, and labor and delivery nursing is a popular specialty in the field. However, specialized experience and certifications can put you at a competitive advantage.

How many patients does a L&D nurse have? ›

The recommended nurse-patient ratio in labor and delivery units is 1:1 or 1:2, meaning one nurse per one or two patients. This close attention is crucial during the vulnerable time of labor and delivery to monitor the patient and fetus, provide supportive care, and act quickly in case of complications.

What degree is best for labor and delivery nurse? ›

Typically, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), rather than a two-year associate degree, is required at most hospitals, says Joan Edwards, PhD, RNC, CNS, FAAN, a labor and delivery nurse and former president of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN).

How many days a week do L&D nurses work? ›

Most Labor and Delivery jobs require 12 hour shifts 3 days a week for a total of 36 hours a week. They consider this full time. Sometimes this can vary with educational days (for other certifications such as CPR, etc.) and some units also requires on call shifts.

How to prepare for an L&D nurse interview? ›

7 Interview Questions for Labor and Delivery Nurses
  1. What made you want to become a labor and delivery nurse? ...
  2. How has your previous experience prepared you for this job? ...
  3. Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision under pressure. ...
  4. What would you do if your patient's birth plan wasn't going as expected?

How to answer why labor and delivery? ›

I'm passionate about empowering mothers and helping them through the challenges of pregnancy and childbirth, so entering a career in labor and delivery has helped me work more toward this mission."

Why do I love being an L&D nurse? ›

Being a part of an important life event

Working as a labor and delivery nurse means you get to help patients during a life-changing event. As opposed to other medical procedures, patients often feel excited about welcoming a new life into the world.

How to be a good L&D nurse? ›

Some of the essential skills include: Medical skills: It's important that L&D nurses have extensive medical skills, as they are responsible for administering medications, checking vitals, preparing for medical emergencies and identifying complications during the birthing process.

What is the hardest part of labor and delivery? ›

Transition to the second stage of labor

This can be the toughest and most painful part of labor. It can last 15 minutes to an hour. During the transition: Contractions come closer together and can last 60 to 90 seconds.

Why is labor and delivery nursing so hard? ›

L&D nurses generally work 12-hour shifts. But because of the bond they form with the laboring patient, it's not unusual for nurses to stay past their shift change to be there when the baby is born. Things change quickly during labor, and the unexpected can happen. So, the work can be stressful and intense.

What is the personality of a labor and delivery nurse? ›

They must be able to empathize with their patients' situations and deliver care with compassion and sensitivity. Adaptability: Every patient, baby, and birth is unique, so labor and delivery nurses need to adapt to different situations, patient needs, and potential complications.

What are the chances for advancement as a labor and delivery nurse? ›

There are numerous career advancement opportunities for labor and delivery nurses, including becoming a nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist. Nurse midwives, as advanced practice registered nurses, specialize in caring for women throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum period.

What are the tips for labor nurses? ›

Help the patient stay relaxed through visualization, music, dimmed lighting, and a calm environment. Encourage different labor positions like walking, squatting, or side-lying to help labor progress and manage pain. Be patient and understanding if a laboring woman is irritable or short between contractions.

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