How To Become A Labor and Delivery Nurse?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

Hi I'm a high school student and I really want to become a Labor and Delivery nurse, but I'm just not sure how I would go about to doing this. My cousin just had a baby just over a year ago and I was very interested. I want to be the nurse that takes the baby right after it is born. The nurse that show the mothers tasks they will need to know once they leave the hospital. The nurse that is with the babies in the nursery. I'm not even sure if that is a Labor and Delivery nurse. I am going to be signing up for college courses at the the local community college in just a few months, and I have know idea what kind courses I should even think about taking to reach this career goal of mine. If anyone as any information on the what education and experience I would need to reach this goal I would highly appreciate it.

-Thank you

Specializes in Obstetrics/Case Management/MIS/Quality.

StephHarri...

You can either go for an associates degree or a bachelors degree to become an RN. If you are wanting to become a neonatal nurse, do not become an LPN...you will need to be an RN for that area. Your best move would be to speak with a college counselor at the local community college (if they offers an Associate Degree in Nursing program) and also speak with a college counselor at a 4 year college that offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. That way you can decide for yourself which program fits you the best. If you go for the community college and the associates degree, be aware that it will most likely take you 3 years to complete the nursing program. If I could do it again, I would've just gone to get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing right from the start...since I wound up getting it anyway later and it cost me more in the long run because I paid for an Associate degree and then later I paid again for a Bachelors degree.

An L&D nurse and a neonatal nurse are two different areas of nursing. If you read my post above (under this same thread), I explain all the different areas within Obstetrics. If you eventually work in a small hospital, you might be able to do them both. If you work in a large hospital, you most likely will not.

I would suggest you read as much as you can about nursing in general and about the particular area of nursing that interests you. Don't be surprised if after you study nursing, your area of interest might change...and that is ok. The only way to really know where you fit in, is to give it a try and you will have alot of opportunities for that when you rotate your way through clinicals in school. It is incredibly important to get as high a grade a possible in all your classes as nursing school admission is very competitive and alot hinges on your grades. Good luck with your decision.:yes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If I had to do it all over again, I would have picked a four-year college, where you can receive your Bachelor's degree (BSN). That way you will have better chances to land a job you want. A lot of the hospitals will give preference to BSN trained nurses, rather than ADN (2 year degree). It can be a little more money to go to a 4-year college, but I think it is worth it. I went for my ADN in a local community college, and it took me 3-3.5 years to finish it. Now I am older, and have kids, and have to work, so it is going to take me 4 years to finish my BSN online, plugging along, taking 1 class at a time. Oh, to be young again... I really suggest a 4-year nursing program. Good luck! I am glad to see young people like you make a commitment to nursing. That is awesome!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Obstetrics/Case Management/MIS/Quality.

Nurse2b7337...I am sorry that I am just now seeing your post from back in 2012 where you asked me if I knew in clinical if L&D was for me. Well to answer that question...I knew BEFORE I ever decided to go to nursing school that I wanted to work with kids....either OB or Peds. When I got to OB clinicals, it all just clicked and I loved it! It was the only area of nursing I wanted after graduation and after I passed boards I was hired on my very first OB interview! :yes:

Again, I'm sorry I'm late to answering your question and I hope you are now finding that the specialty is right for you too!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Nurse2b7337...I am sorry that I am just now seeing your post from back in 2012 where you asked me if I knew in clinical if L&D was for me. Well to answer that question...I knew BEFORE I ever decided to go to nursing school that I wanted to work with kids....either OB or Peds. When I got to OB clinicals, it all just clicked and I loved it! It was the only area of nursing I wanted after graduation and after I passed boards I was hired on my very first OB interview! :yes:

Again, I'm sorry I'm late to answering your question and I hope you are now finding that the specialty is right for you too!

No problem at all! I'm sure you must be busy on yr job. Thanks for the reply. I am now, in a nursing program. I have had four children and each of my nurses were awesome. So I have known a while too that's this is the specialty that I'd like to work in. I can't wait for clinicals in OB. What is yr average day like?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Eventually Midwifery.

Pre-requisites should include Anatomy & Physiology 1 and 2 with labs, Microbiology w/ lab, Psychology (intro), Psychology dealing with lifespan, Statistics, you may also need Chemistry w/ lab and/ or another science w/ lab.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment