Obstetrics Nurse Career Overview
Obstetrics Nurse Career in Brief
An OB/GYN nurse cares for pregnant women before, during, and immediately after labor, while an obstetrics nurse practitioner (NP) may oversee the birthing process. Both obstetrics nurses and NPs also care for women’s health-related needs, such as routine pelvic exams, birth control advice, and other reproductive health issues.
Primary Responsibilities
- Educating pregnant women and their families about healthy pregnancy and childbirth
- Conducting tests and monitoring the health of the mother and fetus
- Assisting a physician, nurse midwife, or OB/GYN NP during childbirth
Career Traits
- Communication skills
- Empathy
- Good decision-making under pressure
- Collaborative
Where Do Obstetrics Nurses Work?
Obstetrics nurses work in hospitals, private practices, birthing centers, and clinics. What do OB/GYN nurses do in these settings?
Labor & Delivery Units
Obstetrics nurses function as part of a healthcare team which includes physicians, nurse midwives, or OB/GYN NPs. Since many hospitals assign the same nurse to an expectant woman, obstetrics nurses often work in antepartum (for high-risk pregnancies) and postpartum care units as well.
Prenatal Clinics
Obstetrics nurses educate pregnant women and family members, perform tests to assess maternal and prenatal health, and help develop birth plans.
Women’s Health Clinics
Obstetrics nurses conduct testing that a physician or an NP orders and determine if symptoms require referral to a physician, nurse midwife, or OB/GYN nurse practitioner.
Neonatal Nurse vs. Obstetrics Nurse
Neonatal Nurse
Primarily concerned with newborns; involved in the birthing process only if there are complications- Cares for newborns in neonatal units or neonatal intensive care units
- May care only for newborns with health issues
Obstetric Nurse
- Cares primarily for pregnant women and women with routine or urgent reproductive-related health needs
- Conducts prenatal testing and monitors mother and fetus throughout a pregnancy
- Works in collaboration with obstetricians, NPs, or nurse midwives during delivery
- Educates mothers on infant care and feeding
How to Become an Obstetrics Nurse
- 1
Earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)
ADN programs require two years of study and a BSN takes four years. Obstetrics NPs must earn a BSN and master’s degree.
- 2
Pass the NCLEX-RN to receive registered nurse (RN) licensure
The National Council Licensure Exam for RNs (NCLEX-RN) lasts up to six hours and covers nursing practice, conditions and treatments, communications, the healthcare system, and legal/ethical issues.
- 3
Gain required nursing experience
Entry-level obstetrics nurse jobs provide on-the-job training and mentoring opportunities. Higher-level positions require or strongly prefer certification. Master’s programs generally require or prefer candidates with 1-2 years of experience.
- 4
Consider pursuing an Inpatient Obstetric Nursing Certification from the National Certification Corporation
Candidates for certification need two years of experience as an RN and at least 2,000 hours in obstetrics.
How Much Do Obstetrics Nurses Make?
According to PayScale, the average salary for an OB/GYN nurse is $82,526, with total pay ranging from $51,000-$120,000. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nurse practitioners, in general, earn a median annual wage of $129,210 and nurse midwives make $128,790.
All RN jobs are projected to grow by 5% from 2024-34, faster rate than the national average. However, growth rates for obstetrics nurse jobs vary by geographic area due to regional differences in birth rates.
Resources for Obstetrics Nurses
National Perinatal Association
NPA works to make pregnancy and childbirth safer and improve womens and infants health through clinical guidelines, professional development, and advocacy. There are membership categories for healthcare professionals, nonprofits and associations, corporations, and parents.American Medical Womens Association
This association is dedicated to promoting womens healthcare policies and initiatives related to women, such as gender equity. Though focused primarily on women physicians, membership is open to all womens healthcare professionals at the supporter level, including OB/GYN nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions About a Career as an OB-GYN Nurse
An obstetrics nurse cares for pregnant women during pregnancy and labor, women who are experiencing pregnancy-related complications, and new mothers and infants recovering from childbirth. In a hospital setting, obstetrics nurses also work with NPs or physicians to provide routine or urgent women’s reproductive healthcare. Education is an important part of an obstetrics nurse’s job too, especially those working with new mothers or mothers with health conditions.
Reviewed by:
Brandy Gleason, MSN, MHA, BC-NC, is a nursing professional with nearly 20 years of varied nursing experience. Gleason currently teaches as an assistant professor of nursing within a prelicensure nursing program and coaches graduate students. Her passion and area of research centers around coaching nurses and nursing students to build resilience and avoid burnout.
Gleason is a paid member of our Healthcare Review Partner Network. Learn more about our review partners here.
