What is a Labor and Delivery Nurse?
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Credit: FG Trade / Getty ImagesA labor and delivery (L&D) nurse supports patients during and after birth under the supervision of a nurse midwife or physician. They also care for infants immediately after delivery. These registered nurses (RNs) often work in birthing centers, delivery rooms, and hospital maternity units. When labor and delivery nurses work in home and birth centers, they are often referred to as birth assistants.
Labor and delivery nurses must have excellent communication, assessment, and teaching skills. They excel in providing supportive services to help new parents navigate the birthing process. Learn more about how to become an L&D nurse, what they do, and where they work.
How Long to Become
4 years
Job Outlook, 2022-2032
6% growth
Average Annual Salary
$73,491
Popular Online MSN Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
What Does a Labor and Delivery Nurse Do?
An L&D nurse closely monitors patients’ condition during every step of labor and birth, providing intervention when needed. These nurses care for newborns during the immediate postpartum period (i.e., usually the first two hours after birth). Labor and delivery nurses also administer medication, closely monitor vital signs, and educate patients, their spouses/partners, and other family members.
The L&D unit is fast-paced, and nurses must quickly respond to obstetric emergencies when they occur. The labor and delivery environment combines emergency nursing, critical care, surgical (if the patient requires a c-section), and recovery. This environment can be very exciting and challenging to work in as a nurse.
Key Responsibilities
- Care for the patient and infant throughout labor, birth, and immediate postpartum phase
- Provide psychological and emotional support
- Monitor the patient and newborn’s condition and escalate treatment as necessary
Career Traits
- Empathy
- Communication with patients and other caregivers
- Ability to make quick decisions
Where Do Labor and Delivery Nurses Work?
Labor and delivery nurses typically work in labor and delivery units and in birthing centers. They can also assist patients during home births.
Labor, Delivery, and Recovery Rooms (LDRs)
L&D nurses assess labor progress and maternal and fetal status, providing updates on labor progress and deviations to providers. They also assist with the hands-on care of patients during labor, delivery, and postpartum, including practical assistance with movement and hygiene, administering medications, utilization of monitoring devices, documentation of care, and providing emotional support.
Birthing Center
In birthing centers, L&D nurses assist during labor and postpartum, monitor progress and vital signs, and refer to hospital care if needed. They also care for the newborn and patient during the initial postpartum period.
What Is the Difference Between an L&D Nurse and a Certified Nurse Midwife?
L&D nurses and certified-nurse midwives are RNs, but a nurse midwife has more advanced training and certification. Nurse midwives may also work with patients throughout pregnancy — not just labor and delivery.
Labor and Delivery Nurse
- Works with one patient in active labor at a time
- Cares for the patient throughout the birthing process
- Has RN license
- Carries out nurse midwife’s or physician’s orders, such as inducing labor
Certified-Nurse Midwife
- May work with multiple patients at once during labor or postpartum, and may evaluate patients in triage as needed
- May care for patients throughout pregnancy
- Has an RN license, a nurse midwife certification, and a master of science in nursing (MSN) or doctor of nursing practice (DNP)
- Makes critical decisions
How to Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse
The minimum requirement to become a labor and delivery nurse is an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and an RN license, including a passing score on the NCLEX exam.
Experience in the obstetrics field, a bachelor’s degree, and certification in obstetric nursing (RNC-OB) gives nurse candidates a competitive edge in the job market. Employers often require L&D nurses to get certification in neonatal resuscitation.
How Much Do Labor and Delivery Nurses Make?
The average salary for labor and delivery nurses is $73,491 as of June 2024, according to Payscale. Payscale also reports that the average base salary for RNC-OB certified nurses is $84K annually.
Many factors influence labor and delivery nurses’ salaries, including their geographic area, level of education, experience level, and whether they are RNC-OB certified.
The job outlook for L&D nurses is good. The BLS projects a 6% growth rate for all RNs in 2022-2032, which is faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Labor and Delivery Nurses
It takes at least two years to earn an ADN plus the required certifications to become a L&D nurse. However, acquiring a four-year BSN leads to higher salaries and more opportunities for advancement.
Resources for Labor and Delivery Nurses
Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
AWHONN serves nurses through advocacy, networking, and offering professional continuing education, including courses for L&D nurses, such as fetal heart monitoring. Membership is open to nurses and any other interested parties, but only RNs can vote or hold office.
American College of Nurse-Midwives
ACNM provides professional education for certified nurse midwives and certified-nurse midwives and advocates for the profession. Certified-nurse midwives and nurse midwives can be full members, but others can join as nonvoting members.
National Association of Neonatal Nurses
NANN develops and delivers continuing education and development (including an annual conference), publishes a journal and newsletters, and offers fellowships. Membership is open to nursing students as well as RNs.
Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health
The NPWH provides continuing professional education, conducts research, and advocates for policies that advance both women’s health and nurse practitioners. Most members are practitioners, but there are membership categories for other women’s health specialists and students.
Page last reviewed on July 17, 2024
