How to Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse: Your Complete Career Guide
Hannah Pierce, BSN
August 11, 2025
Summary
Labor and delivery nursing is a specialized area of obstetric care focused on guiding and supporting mothers through the childbirth process, from early labor to postpartum recovery. These nurses are essential in healthcare because they combine critical clinical skills with emotional support during one of the most significant experiences in a patient’s life. They monitor both mother and baby, assist with deliveries, and provide education and reassurance to families. This page will cover the role and responsibilities of labor and delivery nurses, the skills and training needed, common work settings, licensing and certification requirements, salary expectations, and the factors shaping the job outlook for this rewarding specialty.
On this page
What Is a Labor and Delivery Nurse?
A labor and delivery nurse is a registered nurse who specializes in caring for mothers and newborns throughout the childbirth process. Their role spans from monitoring the mother’s health during early labor to assisting in delivery and providing postpartum care. These nurses work closely with obstetricians, midwives, and other healthcare professionals to ensure safe, supportive, and effective care during one of the most critical moments in a patient’s life.
They are responsible for tracking fetal heart rates, monitoring contractions, administering pain relief as ordered, and assisting with both vaginal and cesarean births. Beyond clinical duties, labor and delivery nurses offer emotional support, educate families on newborn care, and help new mothers recover after birth. This specialty requires a blend of advanced obstetric knowledge, quick decision-making in emergencies, and compassionate communication to guide families through the birth experience.
- Hospital maternity wards
- Birthing centers
- Outpatient obstetric clinics
- Private obstetrics or midwifery practices
- Home birth settings (with certified teams)
- Teaching and academic hospitals
Labor and Delivery Nurse Responsibilities
Primary Duties
- Monitor mothers and babies before, during, and after labor
- Assist physicians or midwives during childbirth
- Administer medications, including pain relief and epidurals (as ordered)
- Track fetal heart rates and maternal vital signs
- Provide postpartum care and newborn assessments
- Educate mothers and families on newborn care and recovery
Special Skills Required
- Expertise in obstetric and neonatal care
- Proficiency in monitoring fetal and maternal health
- Knowledge of emergency interventions during labor and delivery
- Competence in administering medications and IV therapy
- Familiarity with labor induction and augmentation techniques
- Skilled in postpartum care and breastfeeding support
Common Challenges Faced
- Managing high-stress, fast-paced delivery situations
- Supporting patients with complicated pregnancies or deliveries
- Communicating effectively with anxious or overwhelmed families
- Balancing multiple patients at different stages of labor
- Handling emotional strain from adverse outcomes
- Maintaining focus during long or unpredictable shifts
How to Get Started in Labor and Delivery Nursing
2 - 4 Years
1 -3 Months
1- 2 Years
1- 3 Years
Several months to 1 year
Certification and Licensing
Labor and delivery nurses must hold an active RN license, earned by passing the NCLEX-RN after completing an accredited nursing program. Many pursue specialty certification, such as Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB) through the National Certification Corporation. Requirements for certification often include experience in obstetric care and passing a specialty exam. Renewal typically occurs every few years and involves completing continuing education focused on maternal and newborn health, safety protocols, and advances in obstetric care. Maintaining licensure and certification ensures nurses stay current with best practices and regulatory standards.
Skills and Qualities Needed
Clinical Skills
- Fetal heart monitoring and interpretation
- Assisting with vaginal and cesarean deliveries
- Administering and monitoring pain relief methods
- Recognizing and responding to obstetric emergencies
- Recognizing and responding to obstetric emergencies
- Maintaining sterile technique and infection control
Soft Skills
- Empathy and compassion for patients during emotional experiences
- Clear, reassuring communication with patients and families
- Ability to work calmly under pressure
- Strong teamwork and collaboration with medical staff
- Patience and flexibility during long or unpredictable labor
- Emotional resilience in challenging cases
Salary and Compensation
Labor and delivery nurses in the U.S. generally earn between $75,000 and $105,000 per year, depending on location, experience, certifications, and work setting. Entry-level nurses tend toward the lower range, while those with advanced certifications or leadership roles often earn at the higher end. Pay varies significantly by region, with urban areas and states with higher costs of living offering the most competitive salaries. Shift differentials for nights, weekends, and holidays can also boost earnings.
Job Outlook
- Increased birth rates in certain regions
- Advances in obstetric technology and care practices
- Nationwide nursing shortages boosting demand
- Growing emphasis on patient-centered, family-focused care
- Expansion of birthing centers and alternative delivery settings
- Regional population growth driving healthcare staffing needs
FAQs About Labor and Delivery Nursing
What is a labor and delivery nurse?
A labor and delivery nurse is a licensed RN who specializes in caring for individuals during pregnancy, childbirth, and the immediate postpartum period. They monitor maternal and fetal health, assist during labor, and support families through the birthing process.
What are the main responsibilities of an L&D nurse?
They monitor vital signs, fetal heart tones, and contractions; administer medications; assist with pain management; coach patients through labor; prepare delivery rooms; and provide immediate newborn care after birth.
Do I need special certification to become an L&D nurse?
While not mandatory, certifications like Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB) or Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM) can enhance your skills and career prospects.
How do I become a labor and delivery nurse?
Earn an RN license through an ADN or BSN program and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Gain clinical experience in maternal-child health or medical-surgical nursing, then apply for L&D positions and consider specialty certifications.
Where do L&D nurses work?
They primarily work in hospital maternity units, birthing centers, and sometimes in home birth settings or as part of travel nursing assignments.
What skills are important for this role?
Key skills include patient assessment, fetal monitoring, rapid decision-making, emotional support, teamwork, and the ability to stay calm in high-pressure situations such as emergency deliveries.
What’s the difference between a labor and delivery nurse and a midwife?
L&D nurses provide care and support under the direction of a physician or certified nurse-midwife, while midwives have advanced training and can independently manage low-risk pregnancies and deliveries in many settings.
Is there demand for labor and delivery nurses?
Yes. L&D nurses remain in demand due to the constant need for skilled professionals to care for mothers and newborns, though competition for certain hospital positions can be high.
Can L&D nurses assist in cesarean sections?
Yes. L&D nurses assist in the operating room during C-sections, monitor the patient’s condition, and provide postpartum care afterward.
Is labor and delivery nursing emotionally challenging?
It can be, as it involves both joyful and high-stress situations, including emergencies. However, many nurses find it one of the most rewarding specialties in nursing.