Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
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.
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.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a vast amount of information and can provide insights on various topics. In this case, I will provide information related to the concepts used in this article.
Labor and Delivery Nurses:
Labor and delivery nurses play a crucial role in ensuring the safe and healthy delivery of newborns. Their responsibilities include assisting patients before, during, and after delivery, monitoring vital signs, inducing labor, administering medications such as epidurals, coaching patients during labor, and providing education on newborn care to patients and their families .
Work Environment:
Labor and delivery nurses can work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, physician offices, and maternity and birthing centers. Some may work nights or weekends, and their roles may vary depending on the work environment. For example, they may assist with procedures like epidurals and C-sections or provide intensive care to infants.
Education and Licensure:
To become a labor and delivery nurse, individuals must first become registered nurses (RNs). This requires completing a nursing diploma, an associate in nursing (ADN), or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree. While an ADN takes at least two years to complete, a BSN degree takes at least four years. After completing the necessary education, aspiring nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become licensed RNs. Licensing requirements may vary by state, so it's important to check the specific requirements of the state in which one intends to practice .
Specialized Certification:
While not required, obtaining specialized certification can make a labor and delivery nurse a more competitive candidate in the field. One common certification for labor and delivery nurses is the NCC Credential in Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB). To qualify for this certification, nurses must have at least two years of professional experience, including 2,000 hours of specialty experience in patient intake, labor, delivery, and aftercare processes for patients and newborns. They must also hold an unencumbered RN license in the U.S. or Canada. Other certifications available for labor and delivery nurses include inpatient antepartum nursing and maternal newborn nursing certifications.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs):
Some labor and delivery nurses may choose to become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). APRNs, such as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives, often serve as primary care practitioners and require graduate degrees, such as a master's or doctorate in nursing. APRNs have additional responsibilities, such as ordering tests, prescribing medications, and evaluating and diagnosing patient problems. The median pay for APRNs was $123,780 in 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics .
Salary and Job Outlook:
In 2021, the median pay for all registered nurses, including labor and delivery nurses, was $77,600 per year. The job outlook for registered nurses is projected to grow 6% from 2021 to 2031, which is on par with the average growth rate across other occupations. On the other hand, the employment of APRNs is projected to grow 40% during the same period. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an average of 203,200 annual openings for RNs and 30,200 annual openings for APRNs from 2021 to 2031 .
Difference Between a Labor and Delivery Nurse and a Midwife:
While both labor and delivery nurses and midwives play important roles in the birthing process, there are some differences between the two. A midwife is not a nurse but typically obtains a healthcare-related degree from a midwifery program. Midwives may work alongside labor and delivery nurses during the birthing process, but their roles and responsibilities may vary. Labor and delivery nurses are registered nurses who provide comprehensive care to patients before, during, and after delivery, while midwives focus on providing care to low-risk pregnant individuals and assisting with the delivery process.
Difficulty of Getting Into Labor and Delivery Nursing:
Nursing, in general, is a competitive field, and labor and delivery nursing is a popular specialty. However, specialized experience and certifications can put individuals at a competitive advantage. It's important to gain relevant experience and consider obtaining certifications to enhance one's qualifications in the field.
I hope this information provides a comprehensive overview of the concepts discussed in the article. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!
