Labor and delivery nurse career guide
Labor and delivery nurse
Requires a bachelor of science in nursing/associate degree in nursing
Does not make critical decisions during childbirth
Only provides care to women who are pregnant
Works directly under a doctor, carrying out their instructions
Midwife
Requires a master’s degree in midwifery
Makes critical decisions during childbirth, such as emergency interventions
Provides care to women during various stages of their life
May work alone in the delivery room, replacing a doctor during labor
A labor and delivery nurse is required to communicate calmy and effectively in highly stressful situations.
To provide the best possible patient experience, it is important to be able to put yourself in the shoes of the mother and the family members who are present.
Labor and delivery nurses are part of the wider healthcare team. Working together is crucial to the smooth running of the department.
Labor and delivery nurses are required to use highly sophisticated equipment to monitor the health of both mother and baby. They also need to be competent with computer software to maintain and update patient records.
Choose your state
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Alabama
- 10th percentile: $47,085
- 50th percentile: $61,294
- 90th percentile: $91,505
Highest salary states
1.
California
$76,716
Average salary
2.
Alaska
$76,001
Average salary
3.
Washington
$74,325
Average salary
See
more
4.
Massachusetts
$73,164
Average salary
5.
New Jersey
$72,738
Average salary
6.
Connecticut
$72,713
Average salary
7.
New York
$72,332
Average salary
Labor & Delivery, Birthing
3.23% Average salary increase
or approximately
$2,134 in annual pay
Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN)
1.04% Average salary increase
or approximately
$689 in annual pay
Recovery / Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
0.39% Average salary increase
or approximately
$257 in annual pay
Choose Degree:
Average
Bachelor’s Degree
Master’s Degree (non-MBA)
Average
Less than 1 year | $58,558 |
1 to 3 years | $62,349 |
4 to 6 years | $67,393 |
7 to 13 years | $74,488 |
14 years or more | $87,116 |
FAQs about careers as a labor and delivery nurse
The role of a labor and delivery nurse can be both physically and emotionally demanding. This is offset by the fact that it is also highly rewarding, with the opportunity to witness the miracle of birth every day.
The salary of a labor and delivery nurse can vary, based on the state and employer. Generally speaking, annual salaries start at around $46,000 and can go as high as $90,000
There is no specific labor and delivery nurse degree. Candidates first need to become a registered nurse by completing either a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) or an associate degree in nursing (ADN). Typically, registered nurses work for at least a year before they specialize as a labor and delivery nurse.
A doula is a childbirth and postpartum coach, thus the role differs from labor and delivery nurse. A woman’s labor and delivery nurse cannot also be their doula. Labor and delivery nurses who want to become doulas can complete a doula certification.
Additional resources
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