How to Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse: A Guide to Getting into Obstetrical Nursing

There is nothing like the smell of a newborn baby’s head, wrapping them in a swaddling cloth, or tucking them into a bassinet. For labor and delivery nurses, this is a part of their daily grind.

Labor and delivery (L&D) nurses are critical in maternity care. These specialized registered nurses focus on providing care to pregnant women, assisting in childbirth, and supporting new mothers and their infants during the labor and delivery process. And, yes, they get to hold a lot of babies.

Labor and delivery nurses help soon-to-be mothers prepare for labor and delivery, support and assist while the mother is in labor, and provide neonatal and postpartum care.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024), demand for registered nurses will grow by 6 percent from 2022 to 2032. Birth rates track along with demand for labor and delivery nurses, and the Congressional Budget Office predicts an additional 40,000 births per year between 2023 and 2032. The job market looks good for labor and delivery nurses.

Understanding the Role: Labor and Delivery and OB/GYN Nurses

A labor and delivery nurse fits into the healthcare system by playing a crucial role in caring for pregnant women, newborns, and their families. They coordinate with midwives, obstetricians, and other healthcare professionals within the healthcare system.

Specialized Expertise

Their specialized training and knowledge in obstetrics, maternal health, and neonatal care allow L&D nurses to provide specialized care during pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and postpartum.

Collaborative and Patient-Centered Care

L&D nurses work collaboratively with obstetricians, midwives, pediatricians, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals. They communicate and share information with the healthcare teams to ensure comprehensive care for pregnant women and newborns and provide the best care possible. When they advocate for the patients’ rights, they make sure their voices are heard throughout childbirth.

Providing Emotional Support

Labor and delivery nurses help alleviate anxiety, provide reassurance, and create a safe and supportive environment for the birthing experience during an exciting but emotionally challenging time.

Safety and Emergency Response

L&D nurses recognize signs of complications during labor and childbirth and respond promptly to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby. In emergencies, they work swiftly with the medical team to stabilize the situation.

Patient Education

These nurses educate pregnant women and their families about pregnancy, childbirth, pain management options, infant care, and postpartum recovery. Their shared knowledge empowers patients to make informed decisions about their care.

Continuum of Care

Labor and delivery nurses form a link on the continuum of care in women’s health. Their role extends beyond childbirth into postpartum care to ensure the well-being of both the mother and the newborn.

In summary, the expertise, compassionate approach, and ability to work within a multidisciplinary team of an L&D nurse contribute to positive birthing experiences and optimal outcomes for mothers and babies.

What Does a Labor and Delivery Nurse Do?

Due to the unique and unpredictable nature of childbirth and maternal care, working in a maternity ward involves various daily tasks and challenges. Here are some typical daily tasks faced in maternity wards:

  • Patient assessments
  • Labor support
  • Assisting with deliveries
  • Neonatal care
  • Medication administration
  • Documentation
  • Patient education
  • Communication with the healthcare team

The unpredictability of childbirth and the uniqueness of each mother’s labor means each day will be different. Emergencies such as fetal distress, hemorrhage, or other complications require immediate and decisive action. The day can become emotionally intense and providing support to women and families requires empathy, resilience, and stress-management skills.

Balancing the well-being of the mother and the baby, particularly when medical interventions are necessary, might present an L&D nurse with an ethical dilemma. And, throughout it all, L&D nurses must maintain cultural sensitivity to a diverse patient population while working long shifts.

Working in a maternity ward involves a dynamic mix of tasks and challenges that require a combination of medical expertise, empathy, and adaptability. Providing safe and compassionate care in a rapidly changing environment is essential for healthcare professionals in maternity wards.

How to Become a Labor & Delivery or OB/GYN Nurse

Becoming a labor and delivery (L&D) nurse or an obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) nurse involves multiple steps and training. Here’s a general roadmap:

Education:

Licensing:

Experience:

  • Gain general clinical experience. Many hospitals require new nurses to work for a certain period in various nursing units before transferring to Labor & Delivery

Specialization:

  • Acquire specialized knowledge and skills in obstetrics and maternal care through on-the-job training, workshops, and seminars
  • Pursue certifications like the Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB) certification offered by the National Certification Corporation (NCC)

Apply for L&D Positions:

  • Aspiring L&D nurses should look for open positions in Labor and delivery units and apply for the ones that match their qualifications

The requirements for an L&D position will likely vary among locations and institutions.

Labor & Delivery Nurse Programs: Where to Start?

Before a future labor and delivery nurse can even sit for a certification exam, they must become a licensed registered nurse. The first step to sit for the licensure exams is to obtain a nursing degree.

U.S. News and World Report has ranked the best nursing colleges in the country. For 2024, Emory University is first on the list, followed by Johns Hopkins University and Duke University.

Students at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing have several options. These include bachelor’s/pre-licensure programs, doctoral programs/specialties, accelerated programs, continuing education, master’s/post-graduate certificate programs, and dual-degree programs.

The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing offers programs designed to fit the needs of a diverse student population. From Pre-licensure to MSN, DNP, and PhD programs, dual degrees, online options, and post-degree opportunities, the university offers more possibilities for more people in a variety of places, times, and formats.

Diving Deeper: Labor & Delivery Nurse Certification Requirements

Certification does more than give L&D nurses the knowledge and skills to do the job—it demonstrates their commitment to the field of labor and delivery. Many hospitals require certification before allowing nurses to work in this department.

With certification comes improved patient outcomes, as certified obstetrical care providers are more likely to have a deeper understanding of best practices, evidence-based guidelines, and current trends in obstetrics. Because certification programs typically have rigorous eligibility criteria and exams, the certification enhances a nurse’s credibility in obstetrical care.

Pursuing certification requires ongoing education and staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in obstetrical care. This commitment to continuous learning promotes personal and professional growth and opens more career opportunities. Certification also increases the trust that patients and their families have in healthcare providers.

Certification contributes to improved patient outcomes, credibility, career advancement, and overall quality of care in obstetrics. Here are some of the notable certifications for L&D nurses:

Labor and delivery nurse certification requirements include a current, unencumbered RN license. To register for the exam, nurses must submit an application and pay all registration and testing fees.

What Makes a Good Labor & Delivery Nurse?

A good labor and delivery (L&D) nurse possesses hard and soft skills to succeed at their jobs.

Hard skills relate to knowledge and competency gained through study and certification programs. A good L&D nurse has a strong foundation of medical knowledge, understands the stages of labor, and can assess and manage both routine and complex situations that may arise during childbirth. They can apply critical thinking skills and pay close attention to detail while monitoring fetal heart rates, contractions, vital signs, and other maternal and fetal well-being indicators.

Empathy, compassion, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are soft skills. An L&D nurse works with women and families during one of the most significant and emotional experiences of their lives. They must remain calm under pressure, communicate effectively with multiple individuals, and adapt to a rapidly changing situation.

In addition, a good L&D nurse advocates for their patients, is sensitive to their cultural backgrounds, and is a team player. All of that while continually learning and maintaining a high level of professionalism.

An experienced labor and delivery nurse provides safe, supportive, and compassionate care to women and families during the transformative childbirth experience.

The Realities: How Hard is Being a Labor & Delivery Nurse?

While the job of a labor and delivery nurse has its challenges, it also has its rewards. The emotional and physical demands of the job—including long shifts, running or standing on their feet for extended periods, and the emotional toll of difficult outcomes—balance out with the reward of being present as a baby takes its first breath.

In a fast-paced environment, where rapid changes in patient condition can result in complex situations, L&D nurses have to balance providing a high level of care with their own stress and emotions. The stakes are high in L&D nursing, as L&D nurses are responsible for the well-being of both the mother and the baby. There can be intense pressure to make critical decisions while maintaining patient safety at the same time L&D nurses are called upon to clearly and calmly communicate.

While there’s much joy in helping bring new life into the world, there can also be heart-wrenching moments when complications arise. Managing both positive outcomes and challenging situations can be emotionally demanding. Coping with the emotional rollercoaster of birth experiences while also taking care of their own mental and emotional well-being becomes an essential skill for a successful L&D nurse.

Many L&D nurses work on-call shifts, which means being available to work anytime, including nights, weekends, and holidays. This can disrupt the work-life balance. Staying up-to-date with the latest practices and advancements in obstetric care requires a commitment to continuous learning.

Despite the challenges, many L&D nurses find that being part of such a profound moment in people’s lives and positively impacting maternal and infant health is incredibly fulfilling.

Compensation: How Much Do Labor & Delivery Nurses Make?

The compensation range for L&D nurses depends on where the nurse practices, the facility in which they work, and their experience level.

The average L&D nurse in the United States makes $81,800 a year, according to Salary.com (2024); the typical salary range falls between $74,400 and $92,600. The lowest paid L&D Nurses live in Florida, where they make on average $64,890 a year, and the highest live in New Jersey with an average salary of $104,151 (ZipRecruiter 2024).

Salaried nurses receive healthcare and dental, paid time off, continuing education reimbursement, and more benefits depending on their employer. More experience and certifications can open more opportunities for an L&D nurse.

L&D Nurses: Key Professionals in the Healthcare System

For some babies, an L&D nurse is one of the first healthcare professionals they meet in their lifetime. Labor and delivery nurses are uniquely positioned to set new moms and babies on the path to lifelong success. Working in obstetrical care has its challenges, but upon reaching the end of the journey, L&D nurses will find its rewards.

Kristen Lewis

Kristen Lewis

Writer

Kristen Lewis is a graduate student pursuing an M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. A former educator, Kristen now uses her experience and passion for healthcare to inform readers.