A labor and delivery nurse cares for patients throughout the labor and delivery process, assisting with the birth, providing pain management, and assessing the risk of complications. An aspiring L&D nurse needs a nursing degree, a passing score on the NCLEX-RN, a nursing license, and various nursing certifications.
With a nursing degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and a passing score on the NCLEX-RN, you can be well on your way toward becoming a labor and delivery (L&D) nurse. When planning how to become a labor and delivery nurse, you’ll want to assess your starting point first. In other words, are you planning a career change, or are you still in college and thinking of transferring to a new program?
Concordia University, St. Paul’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is ideally designed for both transfer students and career changers. If you have at least 54 non-nursing college credits, you may be eligible to earn your BSN in as few as 16 months through our Accelerated BSN program with locations in St. Paul, Minnesota and Portland, Oregon.
Before determining your eligibility for CSP’s ABSN program, take a closer look at what L&D nurses do, learn the essential skills for this nursing specialty, and review the credentials required to pursue this career.
What Does a Labor and Delivery Nurse Do?
A labor and delivery registered nurse (RN) cares for patients throughout the birthing process and into the postpartum period. They monitor labor progress, evaluate the risk of complications to mother and baby, help keep the mother comfortable, and assist with delivery.
Common L&D nurse responsibilities include:
- Tracking contractions and evaluating vital signs, such as maternal blood pressure and fetal heart rate
- Managing the laboring mother’s pain
- Assisting with deliveries
- Preparing patients for C-sections
- Providing emotional reassurance
- Assessing and providing care to newborns
- Educating parents throughout the process
Discover more about the roles and responsibilities of nurses.
Why Choose a Career in Labor and Delivery Nursing?
Nursing specialty practice areas continue to see strong demand, and labor and delivery nursing is no exception. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), healthcare employers are expected to add about 166,100 new RN positions from 2024 through 2034. The BLS further reports that RNs earned a median annual salary of $93,600 as of May 2024.
Job growth projections and salary expectations aside, there are other reasons why you might consider a career in labor and delivery nursing. As a labor and delivery nurse, you can pursue career advancement as a certified nurse midwife (CNM). CNMs have greater autonomy than RNs, along with a higher median annual salary of $128,790.
Education, Licensure, and Certifications Needed
To become a labor and delivery nurse, you’ll need a nursing degree, such as a BSN, and a state-issued RN license, which you can obtain by passing the NCLEX-RN. Common certifications include:
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Certification in Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM)
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
After gaining clinical experience in L&D, RNs may choose to pursue additional certifications, such as inpatient obstetric nursing certification (RNC-OB).
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse
If you’ve decided that becoming a labor and delivery nurse could be right for you, your first step is to apply to nursing school.
Apply to a Nursing Program Like CSP Global’s ABSN
When you speak with an admissions counselor at Concordia University, St. Paul, you’ll review your eligibility for the program. Our ABSN program requires either a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 54 non-nursing college credits, plus a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. You must also complete the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with a minimum score of 65%.
Applicants to our ABSN program must also complete prerequisite courses, such as microbiology, to provide an academic foundation for the nursing curriculum. Your previous college credits may fulfill some or all of these prerequisites.
Your admissions counselor will help you navigate the admission process. Expect to submit your application online. You’ll also need to arrange to send your official transcripts.
Earn a BSN
At CSP Global, you can expect a practice-focused curriculum that prepares you to work effectively as an RN in any nursing specialty, including L&D nursing. Our ABSN program consists of three main components:
- Nursing theory coursework, which you can complete online
- Nursing skills labs, which teach fundamental nursing skills, such as medication administration and physical assessment
- Clinical learning experiences, which offer direct and simulated experiences caring for patients
Our nursing curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice grounded in Christian values.
Obtain a Nursing License
Concordia University, St. Paul offers comprehensive NCLEX-RN prep for our students. We recommend preparing for this national licensure exam well in advance of your expected test date. Students typically take the exam within a couple of months of graduation.
Expect the NCLEX-RN to test not only your nursing knowledge, but also your ability to develop evidence-based nursing responses. Answering practice questions and taking multiple full-length practice exams are effective ways to prepare for the exam. After passing it, you can obtain your state-issued RN license.
Learn how to be successful in nursing school.
Gain Experience and Consider Advanced Credentials
You can begin applying to L&D nursing roles as soon as you graduate from nursing school and obtain your license. After gaining clinical experience in the birthing unit, you can begin adding to your credentials, if desired.
All L&D nurses need foundational certifications such as BLS and CPR. Other credentials may not be required, but some healthcare employers prefer them. One example is the RNC-OB certification offered by the National Certification Corporation (NCC). Other certifications include:
- Care of the Extremely Low Birth Weight Neonate (C-ELBW)
- Neonatal Neuro-Intensive Care (C-NNIC)
- Neonatal Pediatric Transport (NPT)
- Obstetric and Neonatal Quality and Safety (C-ONQS)
- Obstetric Emergencies (C-OBE)
Certifications can help support career progression. If you’d like to move into a more autonomous leadership role, you might consider becoming a certified nurse midwife. A CNM is a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Becoming a CNM requires a graduate-level nursing degree, advanced training, and a passing score on the board certification exam.
Skills That Help You Succeed in a Labor and Delivery Role
Along with obstetric-specific nursing skills, such as pain management and patient education, L&D nurses can benefit from a range of soft skills that support effective care, including:
- Adaptability
- Advocacy
- Attention to detail
- Communication skills
- Compassion and empathy
- Critical thinking
- Physical stamina
- Teamwork
It’s also important to provide emotional support and positive encouragement.
Career Outlook and Work Environment for Labor and Delivery Nurses
The outlook for nurses remains strong. According to the BLS, employment of RNs is projected to grow by 5% from 2024 through 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. For certified nurse midwives, projected job growth is even stronger at 11%.
Labor and delivery nurses may work in birthing units in hospitals or at dedicated birthing centers. Some assist with home births at patients’ homes. L&D RNs can generally expect a fast-paced setting. Complications can occur, requiring fast reactions.
Prepare for Your Nursing Career at CSP Global
Concordia University, St. Paul offers an accelerated path into nursing for career changers and transfer students with at least 54 non-nursing college credits. Our ABSN program can help you graduate in as few as 16 months. You’ll benefit from a faith-focused curriculum, applied learning experiences, comprehensive NCLEX-RN prep, and state-of-the-art labs. CSP Global also emphasizes individualized student support.
Contact an admissions counselor today to get started.