How To Become A Labor And Delivery Nurse: A Step-By-Step Guide (2024)

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In 2021, roughly 3.6 million babies were born in the U.S.—more than 10,000 babies a day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each birth requires a team of healthcare professionals, often including labor and delivery (L&D) nurses, to ensure a healthy delivery.

As a healthcare provider, bringing new life into the world can be demanding but also fulfilling. Read on to discover how to become a labor and delivery nurse.

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What Does a Labor and Delivery Nurse Do?

Delivering newborns is only part of an L&D nurse’s role. Ultimately, these nurses must ensure both birthing parent and child are safe and healthy at the hospital or clinic.

Role and Responsibilities

L&D nurses assist patients before, during and after delivery. They help pregnant people prepare for birth, assist with delivery and provide aftercare. L&D nurses monitor patients’ vital signs, induce labor and administer epidurals and other medications. They also coach patients during labor and track contractions.

After delivery, labor and delivery nurses support patients and families by educating them on newborn care and creating individualized care plans before discharge.

Work Environment

Labor and delivery nurses may work in hospitals, clinics, physician offices and maternity and birthing centers. Some L&D nurses work nights or weekends.

Roles might vary depending on work environments, but no two days look alike for L&D nurses. L&D nurses may prepare patients for epidurals and C-sections or provide intensive care to infants.

According to the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses, nurse staffing standards suggest labor and delivery nurses should care for no more than three patient-baby couplets per shift. Most L&D nurses work 12-hour shifts, which can be physically and emotionally demanding but also allows nurses four days off each week.

How to Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse

Get an Education

Registered nurses (RNs) must complete a nursing diploma, an associate in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree. If you’re debating between an ADN vs. a BSN, choosing a BSN may lead to more advanced job opportunities and better prepare you to become a labor and delivery nurse. Completing an ADN takes at least two years, while a BSN degree takes at least four.

Pass the NCLEX-RN

Nurses in the U.S. must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become a licensed RN. There’s a $200 registration fee, and you’ll need to apply to your local nursing regulatory body for authorization to test.

Obtain RN Licensure

After passing the NCLEX, you can become an RN. Licensing requirements vary by state. Some states have lengthier processes; others grant same-day temporary licenses to eligible nurses. Check your state’s nursing licensure requirements before applying.

Consider Specialized Certification

Obtaining certification isn’t required to become a labor and delivery nurse, but it’s strongly recommended to become a more competitive candidate in the field.

Labor and delivery nurses commonly earn the NCC Credential in Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB)®. To qualify for the RNC-OB designation, you must have two years of professional experience consisting of at least 2,000 hours of specialty experience in patient intake, labor, delivery and aftercare processes for patients and newborns, plus an unencumbered RN license in the U.S. or Canada.

Other NCC credentials for L&D nurses include inpatient antepartum nursing and maternal newborn nursing certifications. These exams also require two years of work experience, including at least 2,000 hours.

Consider Becoming an APRN

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives. These professionals often serve as primary care practitioners and must obtain graduate degrees such as a master’s in nursing or a doctorate in nursing.

APRNs can order tests, prescribe medications and evaluate and diagnose patient problems. The median pay for APRNs was $123,780 in 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Labor and Delivery Nurse Salary and Job Outlook

In 2021, the median pay for all registered nurses, including labor and delivery nurses, was $77,600 per year, according to the BLS.

Jobs for RNs are projected to grow 6% from 2021 to 2031, which is on par with the average growth rate across other occupations. The BLS projects the employment of APRNs, on the other hand, to grow 40% from 2021 to 2031.

The BLS projects an average of 203,200 openings per year for RNs from 2021 to 2031. In that same time frame, BLS expects an average of 30,200 openings for APRNs annually.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About How to Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse

What’s the difference between a labor and delivery nurse and a midwife?

A midwife is not a nurse but typically obtains a healthcare-related degree from a midwifery program. Labor and delivery nurses are registered nurses who may work alongside midwives during the birthing process.

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 To Become A Labor And Delivery Nurse: A Step-By-Step Guide (2024)

FAQs

How To Become A Labor And Delivery Nurse: A Step-By-Step Guide? ›

To enhance their skills and career prospects, labor and delivery nurses often pursue additional certifications. Two notable certifications are the Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB) and Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM) certifications, offered by the National Certification Corporation (NCC).

How do I become a labor and delivery nurse in the US? ›

How to Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse: Education & Licensure
  1. Earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in an accredited program.
  2. Passing the National Counseling Licensing Exam (NCLEX) and becoming a registered nurse (RN).
  3. Obtaining and maintaining state licensure.

How can I advance my career as a labor and delivery nurse? ›

To enhance their skills and career prospects, labor and delivery nurses often pursue additional certifications. Two notable certifications are the Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB) and Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM) certifications, offered by the National Certification Corporation (NCC).

Do you need math to be a labor and delivery nurse? ›

Attain a High School Diploma or Equivalent: The journey to becoming a labor and delivery nurse commences with a solid high school education, emphasizing science and math courses, as they form the foundation of nursing education.

How hard is labor and delivery nursing? ›

L&D nurses will tell you it is hard but rewarding work. The hours can be long. 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.

Are labor and delivery nurses trained to deliver babies? ›

They're trained to monitor both the mother and baby and recognize potential problems that can happen during or after childbirth. L&D nurses assist during both vaginal births and c-sections. Labor and delivery nurses may also provide postpartum or newborn care depending on the hospital.

Where do labor and delivery nurses make the most money? ›

What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Labor And Delivery Nurse Jobs
CityAnnual SalaryMonthly Pay
Ruhenstroth, NV$122,700$10,225
Santa Cruz, CA$118,636$9,886
Redwood City, CA$118,037$9,836
Hobson, MT$117,655$9,804
6 more rows

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.

How much do postpartum nurses make in the US? ›

What Is the Average Postpartum Nurse Salary by State. $105,500 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $151,500 is the 75th percentile.

What degree is best for labor and delivery nurse? ›

An associate degree in nursing (ADN), diploma in nursing or bachelor's degree in nursing must be obtained, although some employers may require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). While completing the required courses for a BSN, aspiring L&D nurses may consider taking electives related to an L&D specialty.

What career is closest to nursing? ›

Here are some additional careers in the administrative field that are similar to nursing:
  • Training and development manager.
  • Medical practice manager.
  • Social welfare administrator.
  • Project manager.
  • Health care data scientist.
  • Policy specialist.
  • Health care consultant.
  • Insurance specialist.
Apr 18, 2024

What state has the most labor and delivery nurses? ›

Based on BLS data for May 2021, these five states employ the most registered nurses, which may include L&D nurses:
  • California - 324,400.
  • Texas - 217,630.
  • New York - 188,300.
  • Florida - 187,920.
  • Pennsylvania - 149,270.

Can I be a nurse if I'm bad at math? ›

Math is Necessary for Nursing

Math plays a big part in ensuring that not too much, or too little, medication is given to a patient. Math also plays a role in calculating fluids, ovulation dates, body mass index, glycemic index, expected due dates and tracking the amount of calories a patient has consumed in a day.

Is it worth being a labor and delivery nurse? ›

The national average salary for an L&D nurse, according to Vivian, is about $50 an hour which is 9% higher than the nursing U.S. average. This usually comes with good benefits and support within the hospital or birthing center where they work.

What is a labor and delivery nurse called? ›

A labor and delivery (L&D) nurse supports patients during and after birth under the supervision of a nurse midwife or physician. They also care for infants immediately after delivery. These registered nurses (RNs) often work in birthing centers, delivery rooms, and hospital maternity units.

How did labor and delivery nurse start? ›

Professional maternal-newborn/obstetric nursing in the United States emerged in the mid- 19th century coinciding with the increased medical management of childbirth. Before this mothers were attended by female family members, friends, neighbors and lay nurses or midwives.

How do you start going into labor? ›

Some ways to possibly induce your labor are:
  1. Stripping (or sweeping) the membranes. ...
  2. Hormones. ...
  3. Mechanical dilation. ...
  4. Medications. ...
  5. Acupuncture. ...
  6. Sex. ...
  7. Although there's no proof sex can start labor, there is a good reason why it might. ...
  8. Long walks.
Mar 31, 2023

How long does it take to be a NICU nurse? ›

Many schools have rolling admissions, which means you can start your Nursing program in a few weeks! It takes 4-6 years to become a NICU nurse. Neonatal nurses need a college degree and a state-issued license. Certifications can help professionals qualify for more career opportunities.

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