Requirements for L&D Nursing

[diznymom]

Hi.

I am brand new here. I am finally going to school this fall to become a nurse and my interest is in labor and delivery. I am an ex-doula and childbirth educator ( meaning (ex) because I no longer practice ).

I am planning on just getting my basic RN. I am a young mom with 2 toddlers and a baby due in December, so it will take me a long time, but I am also on a major budget. That being said, I cannot afford to go to get a BSN at this time. I wanted to know if you are required to have a BSN to work in Labor and Delivery. What is the best way to go? I am starting at the very beginning so I don't want to go a route that will delay my goals. From what I have read, you do not need a BSN, but I wanted to hear it from women who actually work in this field, who have "been there and done that" :)

If anyone has some tips, that would be awesome! Thanks for helping me out!

~Melissa

future nurse and mommy to Owen, Aidyn and Baby #3 edd 12/22

[NurseforPreggers]

No, you do not have to have a BSN to work in L&D.

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

you do not have to have a bsn. and, with your creds, you should land an ob job without problem. get your rn any way you can and go for it!!

nice to have you on the site. we look forward to hearing more from you.

siri, crnp, clnc, rlnc

[SmilingBluEyes]

You need:

*To have graduated from an accredited program of nursing (ADN BSN or diploma---or LPN in some areas---but some hospitals do not use LPNs in OB)

*Passed NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN and have valid and current licensure in your State of Residency/where you plan to work.

*Other than that, they do prefer at least 2-3 years' experience in some acute care unit of nursing (hospital experience)---- prior to hiring in OB, but NOT ALWAYS. You CAN secure internships/residencies to get trained and started as a new grad in OB.

*Current CPR card.

*Currently updated on all shots/TB skin tests

*You will need also, usually within 6 months of hire, your NRP (neonatal resuscitation program) and eventually, Fetal Heart Monitoring classes/certification (depending on organization).

Good luck. Hope I helped you. My best advice, is, go for your RN and then go from there.

[diznymom]

Thank you! Wow you all are sure fast on a reply!!

That is very encouraging. I was figuring on securing my RN, working to get my foot in the door and gain experience, then maybe returning to school to get my BSN. I just wanted to make sure that whatever path I take, I will be able to get into L&D because it is truly what I have wanted to do for a LONG time, just never had the courage to go for it until now. Even then I am still scared because it is a long journey and there is SO much to learn.

I will never forget the kindness of my nurses when I had my first 2 babies. They were wonderful and I thought that they must have one of the best jobs in the world to help women birth their babies and support them in doing so. Don't get me wrong, I am not naive, I know there are some terribly sad times in the job too, but still I believe it has to be very rewarding for those who have a passion for it:)

Thanks again for the advice, hopefully one day, I will be on these boards as a RN too!

~Melissa

*To have graduated from an accredited program of nursing (ADN BSN or diploma---or LPN in some areas---but some hospitals do not use LPNs in OB)

*Passed NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN and have valid and current licensure in your State of Residency/where you plan to work.

*Other than that, they do prefer at least 2-3 years' experience in some acute care unit of nursing (hospital experience)---- prior to hiring in OB, but NOT ALWAYS. You CAN secure internships/residencies to get trained and started as a new grad in OB.

*Current CPR card.

*Currently updated on all shots/TB skin tests

*You will need also, usually within 6 months of hire, your NRP (neonatal resuscitation program) and eventually, Fetal Heart Monitoring classes/certification (depending on organization).

Good luck. Hope I helped you. My best advice, is, go for your RN and then go from there.