Steps on how to become a Labor & Delivery Nurse

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Hi my name is Vanesa and I'm an aspiring nursing student.

I am currently still taking my pre-reqs. I am taking classes to achieve my BSN.

I would love to become a Labor and Delivery Nurse in the future. I

just wanted some insight and advice that anyone has to offer.

Do you have to take any curtain classes to be a L&D nurse in college? Or classes that helped you out more in this profession. Thanks for anyone that comments.

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Hi Vanesa,

Hopefully this will be moved to the OB nursing forum or one of the student forums so you can get some better replies, but I will try to give you what advice I can (please keep in mind that I'm not a L&D nurse, nor do I ever plan to be).

I don't know what country you are in, but in the U.S., nurses have a very general education, they don't specialize while in school. You will have classes on Medical-Surgical Nursing, Pediatrics, OB (this includes women's health and L&D), Psychiatric nursing, community health...and you will learn just enough of each one to be able to pass the NCLEX (nursing licensing exam). You will also have clinical for each one, and that is probably the best way to get into L&D...network with the staff and managers there and let them know your interest. If hospitals near you hire nursing assistants or unit secretaries in their OB units, that could also be a good way to get your foot in the door. Since you are in a BSN program, try to get your senior capstone/preceptorship on a L&D unit. Close to graduation, look for new grad residencies in L&D. After you graduate and if you get hired in L&D, they will train you and send you to classes to learn how to be a L&D nurse. Sorry I don't know much about L&D, but I hope this helps. You might want to look into this organization Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses for more info about the specialty.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

thread moved for best response

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

Just do well on your pre reqs and get accepted to nursing school. The only thing you can do now to increase your chances to be any kind of nurse is to get good grades. Once you graduate from nursing school and then pass the NCLEX then you can figure out more. One step at a time.

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