Are you thinking about becoming a nurse? The need for nurses in the United States is growing, and today the need has never been greater. This is especially true for labor and delivery nurses, as nearly 3.7 million babies were born in 2021 alone, and that number remained consistent over the following year.
In this article, we’ll explain what the job entails and walk you through the five steps of becoming a labor and delivery nurse. If you think it may be a good fit for you, keep reading.
What Exactly Does a Labor and Delivery Nurse Do?
Labor and delivery nurses assist in delivering healthy babies by helping mothers through pregnancy and the birthing process safely. They also assist with helping the infant with necessary postpartum care.
The duties and responsibilities of this type of nurse include:
- Carrying out exams to determine the progression of labor
- Coaching pregnant women through the labor and delivery process
- Monitoring both the mother’s and baby’s vital signs to ensure stability and health
- Administering certain medications as needed
- Assisting in medical emergencies that occur during delivery
- Assisting in the operating room during cesarean sections
- Providing emotional support during and after labor and delivery
Keep in mind that each mother’s needs differ. Therefore, labor and delivery nurses work closely with obstetricians to create specific care plans. They also maintain open and consistent communication with everyone involved in the labor and birthing process, including immediate family members.
Lastly, as a labor and delivery nurse, you can expect to work during the day, mid-day, or night, as labor and deliveries happen at all hours. This means you can expect your schedule to shift often, especially during the early years of your career.
The 5 Steps to Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse
There are several specific requirements for becoming a labor and delivery nurse. Namely, you’ll need to obtain a two- or four-year college degree, licensing, and plenty of clinical experience. Depending on where you search for employment, you may need to earn additional certifications in areas like basic life support, advanced cardiac life support and so on, all of which are common credentials for registered nurses (RNs).
Most importantly, these are the steps you need to take to become a labor and delivery nurse:
1. Earn the Right Degrees
As mentioned above, you’ll need to earn either a two-year or four-year college degree to start. The associate degree in nursing (ADN) is the quickest route to becoming a labor and delivery nurse, as you can earn it in just two years at an accredited nursing school or college.
The bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree requires four complete years of schooling. While it takes a little longer to achieve, it’s often a preferred route to obtaining a nursing degree because it comes with higher earning potential. Higher degrees in the nursing field create more opportunities, including preparation for becoming a nurse practitioner (NP), which requires a graduate degree.
2. Take and Pass the NCLEX Exam
Once you earn your ASN or BSN, you’ll need to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The NCLEX is the nationwide exam for earning a nursing license and is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. The exam itself is meant to test a potential nurse’s competency and readiness to practice what they’ve learned in a clinical setting.
Depending on the state you live in, there may be a certain amount of time you must wait after graduation before you can take the exam. The earliest most states will allow you to take the exam is within 45 days after your graduation, but you’ll need to check with your nursing regulatory body (NRB) for your state’s requirements. Upon passing your NCLEX, you will have officially obtained your RN license and certification.
3. Gain Some Experience in Obstetric Nursing
Once you complete and pass your NCLEX exam, the next step is to get clinical experience. Nursing students are typically put into rotations in clinics and hospitals to learn more about the different areas of nursing, including obstetrics. These clinical rotations often lead to full-time jobs, and they’re excellent for networking and making connections with faculty and instructors. For labor and delivery, nurses-to-be usually need to gain a minimum of 2,000 hours (equivalent to two years) of clinical work experience as an RN.
4. Get a Specialty Certification
Once you become an RN and finish your clinical hours, you’ll need to validate your experience and specialty in nursing by obtaining specific certifications. Having a certification in your specific area of nursing can increase your future job prospects, give you the ability to negotiate a higher salary, and eventually help you obtain a leadership position.
Most employers also typically require that nurses have certifications upon hiring. For labor and delivery nurses, these certifications include basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certifications. You can obtain these certifications by taking the National Certification Corporation exams involving inpatient obstetric nursing and low-risk neonatal intensive care nursing. Once you obtain these certifications, you will officially be licensed and certified as an RNC-OB (registered nurse certified in obstetric nursing).
You can also take things further by testing for your maternal newborn nursing, neonatal neurointensive care, and obstetric and neonatal quality and safety certifications.
5. Consider Earning an Advanced Degree
This last step is optional, but if you would like to get more training and opportunities for specialized careers, earning an advanced nursing degree, such as a master of science in nursing (MSN), is an excellent idea. The types of nursing opportunities having an MSN can open up include:
- Nurse administrator
- Nurse educator
- Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)
- Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
- Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
- Certified nurse-midwife
You can find both on-campus and online MSN programs from an increasing number of colleges and universities. Having an MSN can make it easier to find new jobs, especially if you plan to relocate to another state, and make you a prime candidate for a new role.