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How to Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse

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Written by Alexa Davidson, MSN, RN Content Writer, IntelyCare

Female nurse in glasses holding newborn with recovering mother in background.

In This Article
Want to take the first step toward becoming a labor and delivery nurse? Understanding some of the duties of an L&D nurse is a good place to start. These RNs are a guide, coach, and patient advocate for both mother and child not just during delivery, but postpartum as well. It takes 5 steps to become an L&D nurse, starting with earning a nursing degree, passing the NCLEX, and becoming licensed in the state you work in. Honing skills with experience in areas like med-surg, OB-GYN, or critical care is the next step. You can obtain an advanced degree, such as an MSN or DNP, but earning certifications like an RNC-OB, a C-EFM, or a C-ELBW will also expand your skills in this unique specialty. The average annual labor and delivery nurse salary is $85,000. The certifications earned, years of experience, care setting, and the state you work in will all affect how much an L&D nurse is paid. If you are ready to become a labor and delivery nurse in your state, you can find the jobs that suit you right now.

Want to take the first step toward becoming a labor and delivery nurse? Understanding some of the duties of an L&D nurse is a good place to start. These RNs are a guide, coach, and patient advocate for both mother and child not just during delivery, but postpartum as well.
It takes 5 steps to become an L&D nurse, starting with earning a nursing degree, passing the NCLEX, and becoming licensed in the state you work in. Honing skills with experience in areas like med-surg, OB-GYN, or critical care is the next step. You can obtain an advanced degree, such as an MSN or DNP, but earning certifications like an RNC-OB, a C-EFM, or a C-ELBW will also expand your skills in this unique specialty.
The average annual labor and delivery nurse salary is $85,000. The certifications earned, years of experience, care setting, and the state you work in will all affect how much an L&D nurse is paid.
If you are ready to become a labor and delivery nurse in your state, you can find the jobs that suit you right now.

When you think about how to become a labor and delivery nurse (also known as an L&D nurse), you may picture yourself assisting the birthing process. But birth is only part of the job. In this role, you also play a critical role before and after delivery.

Ready to join one of the happiest nursing jobs? Let’s look at labor and delivery nurse schooling, requirements, job duties, and what salary you might make.

What Is a Labor and Delivery Nurse and What Do Labor and Delivery Nurses Do?

A labor and delivery nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who has gained relevant experience, special education, and credentials in labor and delivery. They work in hospital maternity wards, birthing centers, delivery rooms, and physicians’ or nurse midwives’ offices. Nurse practitioners, licensed practical/vocational nurses, and nursing assistants can also work in the L&D unit according to their scopes of practice.

L&D nurses wear many hats including that of a guide, coach, and patient advocate dedicated to the parent(s) and their child. They’re also a vital source of information and assistance to the entire birth team, including the physician or midwife delivering the baby.

As a labor and delivery nurse, you’ll begin working with expectant mothers and their partners or support persons. Along with assisting the mother and the doctor during birth, you’ll also provide pre- and postpartum care.

Here are some labor and delivery nurse responsibilities that an RN might perform before, during, and after birth.

Before Birth

Teach classes on childbirth preparation.
Lead tours of the maternity floor, so mothers know what to expect.
Organize pregnancy exercise or yoga classes.
Place IVs and urinary catheters.
Assist with epidural placement.
Measure cervical dilation.

During Birth

Greet the mother, accompany her to the triage room, and verify that she is in labor.
Check on her to determine when it’s time to go to the labor room.
Monitor the mother’s progress and update the doctor.
Support, coach, and encourage the mother during birth.
Monitor the mother’s vital signs.
Monitor fetal heart rate and contractions.
Administer medications as needed.
Keep the birth team updated and assist the doctor.
Prep patient for emergency C-section if needed.

After Birth

Provide post-birth care such as checking for signs of infection, assessing healing of any incisions (such as from a cesarean section or episiotomy), and addressing any postpartum bleeding or pain.
Monitor the mother until her transfer to the postpartum unit.
Facilitate breastfeeding and arrange lactation consultation if needed.
Demonstrate and teach how to care for the infant.

For more insight into the responsibilities of this role, have a look at our sample labor and delivery nurse job description template.

List showing how to become a labor and delivery nurse.

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Steps to Become a L&D Nurse

Let’s dive into the heart of how to become a labor and delivery nurse. These are the basic steps for RNs:

1. Earn a Nursing Degree

Your labor and delivery nurse education starts with completing an accredited nursing program, whether that’s an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) at a two-year school or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at a four-year college or university. Nursing school provides a comprehensive education that will equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary for a career in nursing, such as medication administration, head-to-toe assessment, and cultural competence.

2. Pass the NCLEX

Pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become an RN. Once the council accepts you for testing, you can take the test as soon as 45 days from your graduation date or wait as long as 365 days from receiving approval. If you didn’t pass the NCLEX on your first try, that’s okay; you have the opportunity to take it again.

3. Obtain Licensure

To become a licensed RN, you need to submit all required documentation to your state’s board of nursing. To stay licensed, make sure you’re following your state’s rules for renewing it.

4. Gain Experience

Gain nursing experience in specialties that provide a solid foundation in all basic nursing skills, such as medical-surgical, critical care, or OB-GYN nursing. Although L & L&D nursing is a very distinct specialty that requires very specific skills, this background forms a solid base for moving into the specialty.

5. Pursue an Optional Advanced Degree

After you learn the fundamentals of how to become a labor and delivery nurse, you can pursue advanced education, like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree to become a nurse midwife. Though not essential for starting out in this field, taking this step can push your career forward.

How Much Do Labor and Delivery Nurses Make?

The annual median labor and delivery nurse salary is $85,000. Keep in mind that salaries vary by location, years of experience, and other factors. The states with some of the highest salaries for nurses are:

To find out what you might earn as an RN in your location, check out the latest labor and delivery nurse jobs on IntelyCare. You can also see what other nursing professionals earn in this specialty:

What are some good skills to develop as a labor and delivery nurse?

In addition to clinical skills like performing maternal and fetal assessments and monitoring, and familiarity with EHR systems, key labor and delivery nurse skills include:

Teamwork. You’ll be supporting not only the primary OB-GYN but also the parents — before, during, and after delivery. This requires excellent communication, the ability to get along with different personalities, and performing your duties promptly and properly.

Compassion. Childbirth can be a high-stress time for many parents, even in the best of circumstances. Demonstrating empathy can make all the difference to your patients as you work to gain their trust.

Critical thinking. You need to think on your feet and be able to problem-solve under pressure, as circumstances can change quickly in the delivery room.

These skills can help your labor and delivery nurse resume stand out from the competition.

How to Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse: FAQ

What certifications are needed for a labor and delivery nurse?

Besides holding Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications, L&D nurses may be required to go through S.T.A.B.L.E. or Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) training.

If you want to deepen your expertise and become a top-notch candidate on the job market, you can earn labor and delivery nurse certification. Here are some of the popular certifications available to labor and delivery nurses:

Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN)
Low-Risk Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-LRN)
Inpatient Antepartum Nursing (RNC-IAP)
Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB, also known as a certified OB nurse)
Obstetric and Neonatal Quality and Safety (C-ONQS)
Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM)
Care of the Extremely Low Birth Weight Neonate (C-ELBW)

How long does it take to become a labor and delivery nurse?

Learning how to become a labor and delivery nurse usually takes about two to for four years for RNs, including completing a degree program and passing the NCLEX-RN exam for licensure. Some RNs opt for further certifications or specializations in this field, which can extend the timeline. Many certifications require 24 months of specialty experience to be eligible to apply.

Can you be an L&D nurse with an associate’s degree?

Yes. An RN with an ADN degree can pursue L&D nursing, though employers may prefer to hire candidates that hold a BSN. Additionally, licensed practical/vocational nurses can work in labor and delivery units to support RNs and other medical professionals in the care of patients.

Do L&D nurses deliver babies?

Labor and delivery nurses are part of the team that helps deliver babies during both vaginal births and C-sections. In many cases, certified nurse midwives can independently deliver babies.

What’s the difference between a labor and delivery nurse vs a mother-baby nurse?

A labor and delivery nurse primarily focuses on assisting women during childbirth, providing care during labor, delivery, and immediate postpartum period. On the other hand, a mother-baby nurse specializes in postpartum care, providing support to new mothers and their newborns after delivery, including breastfeeding assistance, newborn care, and maternal recovery support.

What’s the difference between a labor and delivery nurse vs a nurse midwife?

A labor and delivery nurse is a licensed nurse usually working under a doctor or midwife’s supervision. A nurse midwife is an advanced practice nurse who has completed rigorous education and licensing requirements and who can independently provide prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum care.

Special Delivery: A New Job

Learning how to become a labor and delivery nurse is just one way to partake in a rewarding healthcare career. Are you ready to take control of your professional development? Find out how IntelyCare can match you with the best nursing jobs in your preferred specialty and facility type.

Kathleen Walder contributed to the writing of this article.