How to become a Labor and Delivery Nurse
To become a labor and delivery nurse, you must first become a registered nurse (RN). You'll need to earn your bachelor's degree and then pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Then, you'll want to find opportunities to work in a labor and delivery ward. To advance your career, you may want to become an obstetrics and gynecology nurse practitioner or a certified nurse midwife or earn your inpatient obstetric nursing certification through the National Certification Corporation.
Other certification programs for labor and delivery nurses include neonatal resuscitation, neonatal advanced life support and pediatric advanced life support. These advanced degrees will make you more marketable.
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Typical qualifications for a Labor and Delivery Nurse
Certificates and licenses
About Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification
A certification awarded by an organization or association such as the American Heart Association or the Red Cross, upon completing a three hour CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) class.
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About Registered Nurse License
A license to work as a Registered Nurse (RN), awarded upon successfully passing the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse).
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About Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Certification
Certification awarded after completion of training in conjunction with CPR training by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
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Skills employers are looking for
About EMR systems
Electronic medical records software systems.
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About EHR systems
Electronic health records software systems.
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Labor and Delivery Nurse jobs in United States
Career progression for Labor and Delivery Nurse
Education levels for Labor and Delivery Nurses
| required level of education | percent of job openings |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 52.4% |
| Associate's degree | 29.1% |
| Master's degree | 11.0% |
| High school diploma or GED | 7.5% |
Expected salary by experience
| Years of experience | Annual salary in USD |
|---|---|
| 0 - 4 | $81,100 |
| 4 - 8 | $82,300 |
| 8 - 12 | $85,100 |
| 12 - 16 | $87,800 |
| 16 - 20 | $90,200 |
| 20 - 24 | $90,000 |
Common questions about career advices for a Labor and Delivery Nurse
What are important traits for labor and delivery nurses?
First and foremost, labor and delivery nurses must be a calm and confident presence, even under stress, and they must be empathetic. They also need to be able to multitask and keep detailed records and work well with others.
