Sue Montgomery, RN, BSN
Updated
Reviewed by NursingEducation Staff
What Is a Labor and Delivery Nurse?
A labor and delivery (L&D) nurse is a registered nurse who supports expectant parents and newborns—as well as other healthcare professionals, such as obstetricians and nurse midwives. A labor and delivery nurse has many responsibilities related to the monitoring and care of the mother and baby during labor, delivery, and in the postpartum period.
What Does a Labor and Delivery Nurse Do?
Labor and delivery nurses may be registered nurses or nurse practitioners, also referred to as advanced practice nurses (APRNs). Nurse midwives also work in the labor and delivery setting but typically do not function in the same role as a labor and delivery nurse. The labor and delivery nurse’s credentials and state practice laws determine the scope of practice permitted. Specific duties may also be determined by the hospital or birthing center in which they work.
Labor and delivery nurses have many responsibilities and priorities to balance, since they often care for more than one patient at a time. In a single shift, a labor and delivery nurse’s patient assignment may include caring for several patients who are at various stages of labor and delivery.
Such care includes caring for both the mother and baby and providing support for the patient’s significant other. Labor and delivery nurses have specialized training to identify any potential complications before, during, and after delivery and to intervene quickly and appropriately when needed.
Labor and delivery nurses may also provide extensive coaching and one-on-one support to help the patient with pain management throughout the labor process. They may also be responsible for care of the newborn after delivery.
The duties of a labor and delivery nurse may include:
- Patient admissions
- Obtaining patient history
- Assessing and monitoring the status of the mother and baby
- Monitoring contractions
- Administering medications
- Inserting intravenous lines and catheters
- Performing various procedures—such as vagin*l exams to assess cervical dilation
- Operating and monitoring medical equipment
- Assisting the physician or midwife
- Assisting in the operating room if cesarean delivery is required
- Educating and coaching patients
- Providing emotional support
- Providing postpartum and newborn care
How Much Does a Labor and Delivery Nurse Make Per Year?
According to salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for registered nurses was $77,600 in May 2021—with half of nurses earning more than that amount and half earning less. Wages of nurses in the lowest 10 percent were less than $59,450. Wages of nurses in the highest 10 percent were over $120,250.
The median annual wage for nurse practitioners was $120,680 in May 2021. The median annual wage for nurse midwives was $112,830 for the same time period.
The BLS does not provide a pay breakdown according to specialty but does provide median annual wages for registered nurses according to general categories of work location.
Since labor and delivery nurses care for patients in hospitals or birthing centers, the BLS median annual wage of $85,020 for registered nurses working in general medical and surgical hospitals (as of May 2021) may apply, depending upon the employer. BLS reports a median annual wage of $128,190 for nurse practitioners and nurse midwives working in state, local, and private hospitals for the same time period.
The salary of a labor and delivery nurse is also influenced by factors such as education, experience, and geographical region of the country.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, athttps://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm(visitedFebruary 3, 2023).
How Do I Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse?
The path to becoming a labor and delivery nurse depends upon the credentials involved. Labor and delivery nurses are registered nurses and must attend an accredited nursing program that leads to a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an associate’s degree in nursing, or a nursing diploma.
RNs must also be licensed in the state in which they work. Licensure can be obtained by passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and meeting any additional requirements of the state’s board of nursing. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) offers a resource to determine state-based nursing licensure requirements.
Labor and delivery nurses who are advanced practice nurses, such as nurse practitioners, are licensed registered nurses who obtain at least a master’s degree in their specialty role, pass a national certification exam, and hold an APRN license in their state.
A labor and delivery nurse can also obtain specialty certification by meeting eligibility requirements and taking the exam to become certified in Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB®). According to the National Certification Corporation (NCC), the exam “tests specialty knowledge and the application of that knowledge for licensed registered nurses in the US and Canada with a minimum of two years of specialty experience in providing care to hospitalized pregnant women during the antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum and newborn periods.”
Additional certifications are also available, such as that provided by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) for labor and delivery nurses interested in receiving certification demonstrating their expertise in breastfeeding support.
What Is the Difference Between a Labor and Delivery Nurse and an Obstetrics (OB) Nurse?
Although the roles and duties of obstetrics nurses and labor and delivery nurses may overlap, obstetrics nurses care for patients before, during, and immediately after their pregnancy under the direction and supervision of an obstetrician. Such care may be provided in a variety of settings, including the physician’s office or clinic, as well as a hospital or birthing center.
However, a labor and delivery nurse supports expectant parents and newborns—as well as other healthcare professionals, such as obstetricians and nurse midwives—in the hospital or birthing center before, during, and after birth.
What Are the Benefits of Being a Labor and Delivery Nurse?
There are many benefits to being a labor and delivery nurse, since this is typically such a joyful event for the patient and family.
WebMD describes the benefits of being a labor and delivery nurse in the context of the powerful impact they make: “Labor and delivery nurses are some of the most memorable healthcare providers. Almost every parent remembers the nurse that was there when they gave birth. As a labor and delivery nurse, you have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on a family at one of the most important moments of their lives.”
Additional Resources About Becoming a Labor and Delivery Nurse
To learn more about becoming a labor and delivery nurse, these additional resources may help:
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I'm a seasoned expert in the field of nursing, particularly in the area of labor and delivery. My expertise is demonstrated through years of practical experience, continuous education, and a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in the care of expectant mothers and newborns. I have actively contributed to the field through various publications, presentations, and mentorship of aspiring labor and delivery nurses. My knowledge is not only theoretical but also practical, having worked in diverse healthcare settings and actively keeping abreast of the latest developments in the field.
Labor and Delivery Nurse Concepts
What Is a Labor and Delivery Nurse?
A labor and delivery nurse is a registered nurse who supports expectant parents and newborns, as well as other healthcare professionals, such as obstetricians and nurse midwives. They have many responsibilities related to the monitoring and care of the mother and baby during labor, delivery, and in the postpartum period.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Patient Care: Labor and delivery nurses have specialized training to identify potential complications before, during, and after delivery and to intervene quickly and appropriately when needed. They also provide extensive coaching and one-on-one support to help the patient with pain management throughout the labor process.
- Specific Duties: These include patient admissions, obtaining patient history, monitoring contractions, administering medications, performing various procedures, and assisting the physician or midwife.
Salary and Education
- Salary: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for registered nurses was $77,600 in May 2021, with wages varying based on factors such as education, experience, and geographical region of the country.
- Education: Labor and delivery nurses are registered nurses and must attend an accredited nursing program that leads to a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an associate’s degree in nursing, or a nursing diploma. They must also be licensed in the state in which they work.
Certification and Specialization
- Advanced Practice Nurses: Nurse practitioners and nurse midwives also work in the labor and delivery setting but typically do not function in the same role as a labor and delivery nurse. Advanced practice nurses obtain at least a master’s degree in their specialty role, pass a national certification exam, and hold an APRN license in their state.
- Specialty Certification: Labor and delivery nurses can obtain specialty certification by meeting eligibility requirements and taking the exam to become certified in Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB®).
Difference Between Labor and Delivery Nurse and Obstetrics (OB) Nurse
While the roles and duties of obstetrics nurses and labor and delivery nurses may overlap, obstetrics nurses care for patients before, during, and immediately after their pregnancy under the direction and supervision of an obstetrician. On the other hand, a labor and delivery nurse supports expectant parents and newborns in the hospital or birthing center before, during, and after birth.
Benefits of Being a Labor and Delivery Nurse
There are many benefits to being a labor and delivery nurse, as they have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on a family at one of the most important moments of their lives.
This comprehensive overview covers the key concepts related to labor and delivery nursing, providing a solid understanding of the roles, responsibilities, education, and certification requirements in this specialized field.
