information on L&D Nursing!

Specialties Ob/Gyn

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I am currently a student at a college in Miami, Fl. I am writing a research paper about L&D nursing "which I want to do when I graudate from college" Can anyone tell me the education level and training in order to specialize in that department. Right now I am in the AS nursing program. It will be greatly appreciated.

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I am working L&D right now. I am an ADN prepared nurse, but I am almost done with a bachelor's degree. I feel that it is important to have a BSN to specialize in L&D. The ADN nurse does not have the leadership training or the crisis intervention skills that are needed in labor and delivery. At my hospital, there is a myriad of nurses in the department. The BSN prepared nurses as a whole are more qualified for the position. We do have some excellent ADN nurses as well as LPN's. Personally I don't feel prepared enough with only my ADN.

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Originally posted by polly:

I am working L&D right now. I am an ADN prepared nurse, but I am almost done with a bachelor's degree. I feel that it is important to have a BSN to specialize in L&D. The ADN nurse does not have the leadership training or the crisis intervention skills that are needed in labor and delivery. At my hospital, there is a myriad of nurses in the department. The BSN prepared nurses as a whole are more qualified for the position. We do have some excellent ADN nurses as well as LPN's. Personally I don't feel prepared enough with only my ADN.

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thank you so much for your reply, it really help me out alot. I just called a hospital in my area, and i made an appt to speak to the head nurse of the L&D department. By any chance do you know of any associations that can give me more information about L&D nursing, are you in any nursing associates? I know i am asking a lot of questions, but it is part of my paper.

thank you once again for your reply!

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AWHONN is a great nuring association. (women's health obstetrics and neonatal nursing). They have a web site. I am not sure of the URL off hand. I only belong to my state nurses association. (They are all pretty expensive to join. I am in my fourth year of college and planning on grad school, so nursing organizations are an extravigance at this point.) Another web site I have found useful is the American Association of Nurse-Midwives.

Hope this helps.

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Personally, I went the BSN route. It was tough, but I'm glad I did! It helps to have a broad base of nursing knowledge; you don't have to remember EVERYthing, but it's nice to know it's lurking in your subconscious!

In AR, there's not really a pay differential for a BSN, but most states do have that.

As far as associations, there are many; state nursing assoc, AWOHNN, neonatal nurses assoc, nurse-midwives, an organization for doulas...

It's a good idea to receive certification; NALS is usually required. Some states, like TX, require ACLS. Also helpful is certification as a lactation counselor if you will be involoved in postpartum at all!

Hope this helped!

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