OVERVIEW
What Is a Labor and Delivery Nurse?
Labor and delivery nurses care for patients throughout the labor, birth, and immediate postpartum periods. They assess the health of both the mother and the newborn, interpret monitoring data, track labor progress, and coordinate care with other members of the healthcare team. They also serve as a vital source of comfort and emotional support for patients and their families. For many registered nurses, this specialty brings a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Labor and Delivery Nurse vs. NICU Nurse vs. Midwife
Labor and delivery nurses (L&D nurses), NICU nurses, and certified nurse-midwives differ in their education, licensure, scope of practice, and patient focus. L&D nurses are registered nurses who hold an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing as well as an RN license. They care for pregnant patients and fetuses throughout labor and birth and assist the care team during delivery.
Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses are RNs who specialize in caring for newborns who need intensive medical treatment after birth, such as premature infants or babies with serious health conditions. While L&D nurses focus on the expectant mother and the birth process, NICU nurses treat newborns who require specialized monitoring and care after delivery.
Certified nurse-midwives are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who have completed graduate education in nurse-midwifery and passed the national Certified Nurse-Midwife Examination. This advanced training enables them to support patients during childbirth, as well as diagnose conditions, order tests, and prescribe medications.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Labor and Delivery Nurse Do?
L&D nurses collaborate closely with obstetricians and gynecologists to assist pregnant patients throughout delivery. These specialized nurses have a deep understanding of the physiological and emotional aspects of childbirth, enabling them to create a comforting and safe environment for expectant mothers. They build personalized, trusting relationships with their patients, ensuring that each individual receives the attention and care they need.
Labor and Delivery Nurse Responsibilities
L&D nurses carry out a range of essential duties, including:
- Monitoring and timing contractions during labor and delivery.
- Checking the mother’s vital signs and the baby’s heart rate using fetal monitoring equipment.
- Providing mothers with information on what to expect during the stages of labor and delivery.
- Administering medications as prescribed and assisting with pain management, including supporting patients during epidural procedures.
- Assisting the doctor or midwife with procedures such as inducing or augmenting labor.
- Identifying signs of distress in the mother or baby and notifying the doctor or midwife when complications arise.
- Communicating with the doctor or midwife to provide timely updates on the patient’s condition.
- Assisting with delivery, including preparing equipment, handling supplies, and coaching the patient through breathing and pushing techniques.
- Helping prepare patients for cesarean delivery, including emergency C-sections.
- Providing empathy, encouragement, and comfort throughout labor and delivery.
- Assisting with immediate newborn care after birth.
- Educating mothers on breastfeeding and basic newborn care.
- Monitoring and timing contractions during labor and delivery.
- Checking the mother’s vital signs and the baby’s heart rate using fetal monitoring equipment.
- Providing mothers with information on what to expect during the stages of labor and delivery.
- Administering medications as prescribed and assisting with pain management, including supporting patients during epidural procedures.
- Assisting the doctor or midwife with procedures such as inducing or augmenting labor.
- Identifying signs of distress in the mother or baby and notifying the doctor or midwife when complications arise.
- Communicating with the doctor or midwife to provide timely updates on the patient’s condition.
- Assisting with delivery, including preparing equipment, handling supplies, and coaching the patient through breathing and pushing techniques.
- Helping prepare patients for cesarean delivery, including emergency C-sections.
- Providing empathy, encouragement, and comfort throughout labor and delivery.
- Assisting with immediate newborn care after birth.
- Educating mothers on breastfeeding and basic newborn care.
Some nurses develop expertise in caring for specific types of pregnancies or birth situations, such as:
- High-risk pregnancies
- Preterm or premature labor
- Multiple gestation pregnancies
- Fetal complications or congenital conditions
- Cesarean and surgical birth support
- Postpartum and newborn stabilization
Where Do Labor and Delivery Nurses Work?
L&D nurses work in a variety of healthcare settings, including:
- Hospital labor and delivery units. Most L&D nurses work in hospital maternity wards where they monitor maternal and fetal health, assist during birth, and respond to medical complications.
- Birth centers. Some labor and delivery nurses work in small birth centers, which typically serve patients with low-risk pregnancies and emphasize a natural approach to childbirth.
- Antepartum or other specialty units. Because high-risk pregnancies sometimes require hospitalization before delivery, labor and delivery nurses may help monitor patients before labor begins in antepartum units.
- Home birth settings. Experienced nurses may assist with planned home births in collaboration with a midwife. This setting is less common and typically requires nurses with significant labor and delivery experience.
Labor and Delivery Nursing Paths for Advancement
Labor and delivery nurses often pursue leadership and advanced practice roles later in their nursing careers. The following advancement paths allow nurses to take on greater clinical responsibilities, lead other nurses, and focus on specialized care.
- Charge nurse. Charge nurses coordinate the workflow during a shift, assign patients to staff, and help manage urgent situations. This role usually requires several years of experience as well as strong organizational and decision-making skills.
- Nurse manager. Nurse managers oversee the daily operations of a unit, including staffing, budgeting, scheduling, and quality improvement initiatives. This position usually requires a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a Master of Science in Nursing.
- Travel nurse. Some L&D nurses work short-term contracts at hospitals that need temporary staffing support. This role requires several years of experience.
- Certified nurse-midwife. Certified nurse-midwives are APRNs who provide prenatal care, manage pregnancies, deliver babies, and prescribe medications. This role requires a graduate degree in nurse midwifery and national certification.
- Nurse practitioner. Some nurses in labor and delivery units pursue graduate education to become nurse practitioners (NPs). NPs may work in women’s health, family practice, or maternal-fetal medicine clinics.
- Nurse educator. Experienced labor and delivery nurses may become nurse educators who train nursing students or hospital staff. This role requires a Master of Science in Nursing–Education.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse?
If you’re interested in becoming a labor and delivery nurse, you’ll need to earn an accredited nursing degree, obtain licensure, and gain experience in obstetric care. The steps required to enter this field typically include:
- Earn a nursing degree. The minimum education required to become a nurse is typically an associate degree in nursing (ADN), but many employers prefer or require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
- Pass the national licensing exam and obtain licensure. After graduating, candidates must pass the NCLEX-RN to gain licensure. This exam tests nursing knowledge and clinical judgment.
- Gain clinical experience. Many nurses begin their careers in areas such as medical-surgical nursing, postpartum care, or general maternity units before moving into labor and delivery nursing.
- Consider earning specialized certifications. Although not always required, certifications increase professional credibility and can open doors to job opportunities with higher earning potential. The Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB) and Certified Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM) credentials are both highly regarded in the field.
Best Degrees for a Labor and Delivery Nurse
Health & Nursing
Nursing (Prelicensure) – B.S.
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a...
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a baccalaureate-prepared nurse:
- Locations: Due to in-person clinical requirements, students must be full time residents of Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin to enroll in this program. The coursework in this program is offered online, but there are in-person requirements.
- Tuition: $8,755 per 6-month term for the first 4 terms of pre-nursing coursework and $8,755 per 6-month term for the remaining 4 terms of clinical nursing coursework.
- Time: This program has a set pace and an expected completion time of 4 years. Certain coursework may be accelerated to finish faster.
- WGU offers the prelicensure program in areas where we have partnerships with healthcare employers to provide practice sites and clinical coaches to help teach you and inspire you on your path to becoming a nurse.
- If you don't live in one of our prelicensure states or don't qualify to apply, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also working directly with patients who need help.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Community Health
- Women's and Children's Nursing
- Pathology
- Physiology
- Research
Health & Nursing
Nursing (RN-to-BSN Online) – B.S.
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added...
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added theoretical depth, employability, and respect that a bachelor's degree brings:
- Time: The program is designed to be completed in 1 year.
- Tuition: $5,325 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 23 total courses in this program.
- Transfers: Students can transfer up to 90 credits.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Healthcare Policy and Economics
- Information Technology in Nursing Practice
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Applied Healthcare Statistics
If you don't currently have an RN and don't qualify for your nursing prelicensure program, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry in a unique way.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Labor and Delivery Nurse Need?
Labor and delivery nurses have the unique opportunity to help bring new life into the world. Their job requires both clinical expertise and exceptional interpersonal skills. Some of the most essential competencies in the role include:
- Maternal-fetal assessment. L&D nurses assess maternal vital signs, contraction patterns, and fetal heart rate using tools such as electronic fetal monitoring to identify whether labor is progressing normally.
- Medication administration and pharmacology knowledge. Nurses administer physician-ordered medications through IV lines and other routes during labor. They also watch for side effects or adverse reactions that could signal the need for a different medication or treatment approach.
- Clinical judgment. Labor does not always follow a predictable pattern, so nurses must use their training and experience to evaluate changes and decide when the care team needs to step in.
- Infection control practices. Keeping the delivery area clean and following infection-prevention procedures helps protect both the mother and baby during birth.
- Procedural support. Nurses assist physicians by preparing equipment, organizing supplies, and supporting the care team during medical procedures.
- Neonatal care. Right after birth, nurses help the baby adjust to life outside the womb. They dry and warm the baby, assist with health checks, and help start skin-to-skin contact with the parent.
Interpersonal Skills
- Patient communication. Clear communication helps patients understand what is happening during labor and what to expect next, which can lessen their fear and confusion during an intense experience.
- Professional communication. Nurses also use strong communication skills to share patient updates, relay critical information during shift changes, and clarify treatment orders with healthcare teams.
- Empathy and emotional intelligence. Childbirth can bring excitement, anxiety, or unexpected complications. L&D nurses provide reassurance and emotional support to foster trust, address concerns, and promote a calm environment.
- Teamwork and collaboration. Nurses coordinate closely with obstetricians, anesthesiology staff, and other healthcare professionals to ensure safe, coordinated care.
- Decision-making under pressure. Labor can change quickly, and nurses must remain calm and think clearly when complications arise. For example, if the baby’s heart rate suddenly drops, the nurse must quickly recognize the problem and alert the physician or midwife.
- Patient education and guidance. Nurses may show patients breathing techniques, positions that can make contractions more manageable, and ways to push effectively during delivery. After the baby is born, they help parents learn basic newborn care such as holding, feeding, and soothing the baby.
How Much Does a Labor & Delivery Nurse Make?
$127,355
ZipRecruiter reports that labor and delivery nurses earn an average annual salary of $127,355. However, this figure can vary widely, with pay typically ranging from $55,000 to $189,000. Salaries for nurses in this field vary significantly depending on the employer, location, and healthcare facility. A nurse’s experience, education, and credentials can also influence their earning potential.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
5%
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment of registered nurses will grow by 5% from 2024 to 2034. This growth is expected to create about 189,100 openings for RNs each year over the decade, due to both new jobs and the need to replace nurses who retire or leave the profession. Many hospitals are experiencing nurse shortages in labor and delivery units. As a result, these organizations must rely on travel nurses or short-term contract staff to fill open positions. Ongoing staffing challenges in this specialty underscore the need for trained nurses who can provide skilled care during labor and delivery.
WGU Can Help You Embark on a Rewarding Nursing Career
Labor and delivery nurses help guide patients through one of the most important moments of their lives. If you’re interested in pursuing this rewarding career path, WGU can help. WGU’s B.S. in Nursing (Prelicensure) degree program is designed for individuals who want to begin a career as a registered nurse. The program provides the foundational clinical knowledge, hands-on training, and patient care skills you need to work in professional nursing roles. If you are already an RN with an ADN, WGU’s RN-to-BSN program can help you expand your career opportunities by earning an accredited B.S. in Nursing.
When exploring your education options, it's important to keep in mind that you may qualify for financial aid and scholarships that help reduce tuition costs. Some employers also offer tuition assistance programs. If you're a military member or veteran, you might be eligible for military education benefits. Learn more by speaking with an Enrollment Counselor today!
Labor and Delivery Nurse FAQs
Becoming a labor and delivery nurse usually takes two to six years, depending on your education path. You start by completing a nursing degree, which typically takes about two years for an associate degree or four years for a bachelor’s degree. After graduating, you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a licensed registered nurse. Some nurses enter labor and delivery directly through residency programs, while others gain experience in different nursing units before transitioning to this specialty.
Labor and delivery nurses work in fast-paced environments where they must remain calm and make quick decisions. The job often includes long shifts, overnight hours, and physically demanding tasks, such as standing for extended periods and assisting during labor.
- Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB)–National Certification Corporation (NCC). This is one of the most widely recognized certifications for L&D nurses. It demonstrates advanced knowledge in areas such as fetal assessment, labor management, pregnancy complications, postpartum care, and newborn care.
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)–American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). NRP training prepares healthcare professionals to respond when a newborn has trouble breathing or requires resuscitation immediately after birth. The program teaches evidence-based techniques such as ventilation, airway management, and coordinated team response in the delivery room.
- Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM)–National Certification Corporation (NCC). The C-EFM credential confirms a nurse’s ability to interpret fetal heart rate patterns and uterine contractions during labor.
Our Online University Degree Programs Start on the First of Every Month, All Year Long
No need to wait for spring or fall semester. It's back-to-school time at WGU year-round. Get started by talking to an Enrollment Counselor today, and you'll be on your way to realizing your dream of a bachelor's or master's degree—sooner than you might think!
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