Responsible for providing care for mothers and newborns, labor and delivery nurse jobs are some of the most important in healthcare. Here’s everything you need to know about this career path, including the labor and delivery nurse job outlook, why travelers are in demand, and what to expect on a day-to-day basis.
- Looking for a new career opportunity? Search L&D jobs here
Guide to Labor and Delivery Nurse Jobs: Outlook, Trends, Demand for Travelers & What to Expect
The job outlook is strong for all RNs, with “faster than average” growth predicted for the next 10 years. And of course, some specialties are more in-demand than others! Here at HealthTrust, we’ve seen a huge increase in labor and delivery nursing jobs, and especially for local contracts and travel assignments.
Why work labor and delivery nurse jobs?
Whether you're right out of nursing school, midway through your career, or looking for new travel opportunities, nurses who work L&D jobs can count on plenty of job prospects. And that means stability, and more chances to boost your earnings and advance your career.
A number of factors are driving the demand for L&D nurses, including:
- The need for quality maternity care. Even though birth rates have dropped a bit, there are still thousands of childbirths every day, and everywhere.
- Evolution of maternity care. Mothers have more fertility options than ever, and care has grown more sophisticated, calling for RNs skilled in delivering it.
- Improvements in women’s care. Healthcare has also gotten better at focusing on women's health needs, and L&D nurses are a big part of that care.
- An ongoing nurse shortage. Most places have more jobs than nurses. And that means skilled RNs are always in demand — especially if you're willing to travel.
How much do L&D nurses earn?
Statistics show that, on average, RNs earn $93,600 per year, or $45 per hour, with travelers earning even more — well over $100,000 per year for some travel jobs when you factor in housing stipends.
Exactly how much you'll earn depends on location, your level of experience and education, and the type of facility and shift. Travel L&D jobs also tend to pay more, and include stipends that cover housing and other expenses. Earning more certifications and continuing education (CE) credits can also boost your earnings.
L&D Nursing Jobs: What to Expect & How to Qualify
So, how can you land an L&D nursing job, and what should you expect from one?
What to expect from a labor and delivery nurse job
Usually working under the supervision of a doctor or midwife, L&D nurses provide care to mothers and babies during labor, delivery, and the period of postpartum recovery that follows. They monitor vital signs, bleeding, uterine tone, contractions, cervical dilation, and fetal heart rate, and may also have to:
- Provide medication and pain management
- Provide emotional support and encouragement
- Use clinical technology and equipment
- Watch for complications and carry out needed interventions or emergency procedures, including critical/surgical care (for instance, C-sections)
- Help doctors with delivery, including cutting the umbilical cord
- Assess the newborn’s health after birth
- Provide education about newborn care and breastfeeding
- Communicate with other staff and departments like doctors, surgical techs, NICU nurses, the patient’s primary care provider, as well as the lab, blood bank, and pharmacy, as needed
- Help supervise other staff members, especially LPNs, CNAs, and aides
What other skills do you need to work L&D nursing jobs?
As a fast-paced and high-stress process, labor and delivery can be a demanding job. “Few careers in healthcare offer such a unique blend of medical skills and emotional intelligence,” as one expert puts it.
So, when you work L&D nurse jobs, you’ll also need “soft skills,” like the ability to:
- Communicate quickly and effectively
- Provide calming reassurance, especially during complications
- Build trust and rapport with patients and families
- Quickly solve problems, deal with emergencies, and adapt to new situations
- Multi-task to juggle all of your responsibilities
Where will you work in a labor and delivery nurse job?
For permanent and travel positions, most L&D nursing jobs are in the maternity units, delivery rooms, and birthing centers in hospitals and health centers.
How do you quality for labor and delivery nursing jobs?
While every employer has different requirements, most L&D nursing jobs require:
- A valid nurse’s license in the state where the job is located, or a multistate license where those are accepted (see a map of states)
- Either a two-year associate’s degree (ADN) or a four-year bachelor’s (BSN) — most employers now require a BSN, or for you to get one after being hired
- Usually, a year or two of experience
- Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
What training do you need for L&D nursing jobs?
Some experience is usually required for L&D nursing jobs, which you can usually get by taking a class that includes clinical hours in a maternity ward or OB-GYN unit. Any additional experience in prenatal and postpartum care will help, too!
Another way to gain experience is with CE credits, which you may also need to maintain your nursing license. Continuing education also helps you stay informed about new research and best practices, which can also boost your career.
You can find more educational opportunities by joining professional groups, especially the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). And working as a travel nurse is another great way to get experience in different types of facilities and settings.
What certifications do you need for L&D nursing jobs?
You’ll need a BLS certification for most L&D nursing jobs. And, although they may not be required, you can boost your chances of getting hired — especially for competitive, high-paying travel jobs — with other nursing certifications like:
- Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB®)
- Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM®)
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program® (NRP®)
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
How to prepare for your L&D nursing job interview
When you’re ready to apply, don’t forget to update your resume! You should always customize your cover letter and resume for each job, highlighting any certifications, training, or on-the-job experience discussed above.
You should also be as ready to ace the interview. You can do that by reading our list of nursing interview tips and most commonly asked nurse interview questions.
Find the Best L&D Nursing Jobs with HealthTrust!
HealthTrust always has plenty of permanent and travel L&D nursing jobs, plus help with licensing and credentialing, plenty of career growth opportunities, and an exclusive app to help you search for even more travel and per diem jobs. See what’s available now — search open L&D nursing jobs here!
