My Dream to be a Labor and Delivery Nurse

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Updated:   Published

"I want to help mothers give birth." My grandmother, an retired RN, gave me a questioning glance. "I wouldn't be so sure," she warned me. "It's not as pretty as it looks on TV."

Suddenly, I felt defensive. Ever since my sister was born, I've been fascinated by birth. I'd read "What to Expect When You're Expecting" at the age of 8 behind my parent's backs and caught every episode of "A Baby Story" on TLC. In my eyes, birth was the most beautiful thing in the world. Hearing my experienced grandmother tell me something different made me wonder . . . was I mistaken?

I spend the next three years researching and looking for evidence that my grandmother was right. I devoted all my free time in highschool to reading birth stories and watching birth videos on YouTube. I expected to get scared away. Instead, I fell deeper in love with the miracle of life. I realized that this was my calling and I had to follow it.

I've decided to be a labor and delivery nurse. Before the experienced RN raises a brow in question, let me assure you that I'm aware I won't be cuddling babies all day. I know that blood, vomit, feces, amniotic fluid, and meconium are all a part of the package. Hours on my feet will leave me exhausted and often frustrated. I'll sacrifice a good portion of my life to this mysterious passion I've had as long as I can remember. Sometimes I'll wonder if it's worth it.

Birth, in its essence, is life. Yet life and death are often devastatingly close in nature. As sure as I am that I'll help bring life into the world, I'm also sure I'll see it leave. From the stillborn baby to the mother who loses her fight, birth isn't spared from death. I know I'll come face to face with tragedy, and though I dread it, I accept this as inevitable.

Still, I want to be a labor and delivery nurse. I feel a mysterious and indescribable urge to be right in the thick of it. The thought of blood and bodily fluids doesn't frighten me. The knowledge that I'll be exhausted only reminds me I'll be doing something worthwhile. The prospect of death only makes me want to fight for life. I still believe that birth is beautiful.

Perhaps I sound very sure of myself for someone with no real experience. In truth, I'm scared. I feel this calling into the unknown and I know I must follow it. I have no idea if I'll succeed, and the prospect of failing frightens me. I know the course I've chosen to follow is a difficult one, and I often wonder if I'm up for the task.

The only thing that I'm sure of is that I can't be sure of anything. Every day and every birth will look different and present different challenges. I look ahead and see a long road in front of me. I smile. It's time to see what I'm capable of, and I'm excited.

Perhaps take doula training and attend a few births? That way it's not the huge investment of nursing school and you might find out for sure that it's what you want.

AspiringNurseMW, that's good advise! I actually considered taking this route for awhile before deciding that I didn't want to delay my education any longer than I already had.

My grandfather said to me that when he worked in L & D, he had experienced some of the most rewarding moments in his entire medical career. This was after I told him I was interested in L & D. I'm glad you realize that it won't always be about the reward, and that in a time when you least expect it, there could be death(s). It's as frightening as it is exciting. Maybe one day our dreams will become a reality. Really great read, btw.

I have to comment on this, because that was me just a few short years ago! Fascinated with birth from a very young age, and for the longest time I was convinced I would do nothing else with my life. I felt like everyone tried to talk me out of it or change my mind, which was hard to hear over and over until I decided to not let the negativity get to me. I was tired of justifying my passion! I enrolled in a 4-year BSN program right out of high school, and am as of today, 20 days from graduation! I had an amazing OB clinical experience initially, and was lucky enough to do my senior preceptorship in labor and delivery with some of the same nurses from the year before. All I have to say is that my ten weeks of preceptorship were some of the best weeks of my entire life. L&D nursing was everything I'd hoped it would be and more! But at the end of the day, my heart has been leading me in a slightly different direction these last few years, and my preceptorship only confirmed that. I've come to realize that my true heart and soul passion lies in NICU nursing. I'd been really hung up between L&D/NICU for a long time, and I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to truly participate in both fields (I did NICU through an Externship) so that I can feel 1000% sure in my decision. I'm interviewing for jobs this week, so fingers crossed! Best of luck to you on your journey!!

I loved reading this... I am about to start my first term of my BSN program and I work as a PCT/CNA in a hospital already. I have picked up some shifts in L&D and it has confirmed my dream and passion to be an LD nurse. In my opinion it is the most beautiful field there is! We will both make it one day!

AspiringNurseMW, that's good advise! I actually considered taking this route for awhile before deciding that I didn't want to delay my education any longer than I already had.

Taking doula training takes nothing more than a few days. Doula training vs doula certification are two completely different things. You can take the training and not become certified. It wouldn't delay your education at all. It could actually potentially give you some extra income during breaks and in the summer months as well.

I highly recommend it, especially if you actually haven't been to an actual birth in a while.

I will say. I'm about to finish up my 2nd semester of my ADN program. The only reason I'm going to nursing school at all is to eventually be a Certified Nurse Midwife (hence my user name).

I think birthing women are wonderful strong amazing creatures and decided to be a Midwife myself after the homebirth of my 2nd child. So I understand your passion.

The great thing about nursing is that, as sure as you think you are, you will have the training to venture into other fields if it turns out that l&d nursing isn't for you.

Case in point, I have a doula friend who was a nurse for years, and ultimately for her, the role of a nurse did not fulfill her need to support a laboring mom but had no desire to be a midwife, so she has been a doula and childbirth Educator for almost 10 years.

Give yourself permission to enjoy and learn from other aspects of nursing. It's OK to get the school and instead fall in love with the ER or Cardiac or NICU or Pediatrics. I did. Yet, I was quite relieved to find myself very comfortable and happy and excited and a sense of belonging during my short OB rotation.

Go ahead take the plunge, if OB nursing is your passion. It's been mine for almost 30 yrs!

I have to comment on this, because that was me just a few short years ago! Fascinated with birth from a very young age, and for the longest time I was convinced I would do nothing else with my life. I felt like everyone tried to talk me out of it or change my mind, which was hard to hear over and over until I decided to not let the negativity get to me. I was tired of justifying my passion! I enrolled in a 4-year BSN program right out of high school, and am as of today, 20 days from graduation! I had an amazing OB clinical experience initially, and was lucky enough to do my senior preceptorship in labor and delivery with some of the same nurses from the year before. All I have to say is that my ten weeks of preceptorship were some of the best weeks of my entire life. L&D nursing was everything I'd hoped it would be and more! But at the end of the day, my heart has been leading me in a slightly different direction these last few years, and my preceptorship only confirmed that. I've come to realize that my true heart and soul passion lies in NICU nursing. I'd been really hung up between L&D/NICU for a long time, and I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to truly participate in both fields (I did NICU through an Externship) so that I can feel 1000% sure in my decision. I'm interviewing for jobs this week, so fingers crossed! Best of luck to you on your journey!!

This was so encouraging! Thank you. :)

I've been a L&D nurse probably longer than you've been born and the miracle of birth is still a thrill for me. If that is your dream, follow it! No, it isn't always as pretty as it looks on TV. But sometimes it is and those special births where everything goes right will be your reward for the darker days you'll surely have. I think the suggestion to take a doula class and participate in some births is a good one. You will see how much difference good support can make to a laboring mother. But bear in mind that this is only one part of being a L&D nurse. Your most important job will be making sure your patient has the best outcome possible, a healthy baby and healthy mother. Because without that, all the support in the world isn't going to make a whit of difference. I would encourage you not to go into L&D right out of school. A year of med/surg can give you the skills you'll need to feel comfortable with the inevitable sick patient. Hold tight to your dreams but keep your feet firmly planted on the ground and you will be fine.

Aristillus, your encouragement is so appreciated! Your advise is greatly appreciated as well. :) I appreciate both your advise on doula training and med/surg. I'm not sure what the path ahead will look like for me, but I do know my goals, and having advise from nurses who have walked the journey I've yet to begin is a huge blessing.

+ Add a Comment