Ultimate Dream Career Guide: How to Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse – Role, Salary & Career Blueprint (2025)

Thinking about how to become a labor and delivery nurse in 2025? This rewarding nursing path puts you at the front lines of one of life’s most powerful moments—childbirth. A labor and delivery (L&D) nurse provides critical care and emotional support to patients before, during, and after birth. Working alongside nurse midwives and physicians, they assist with deliveries and ensure newborns receive immediate, life-sustaining care.

If you’re wondering exactly what labor and delivery nurses do, where they work, and how to start this meaningful career, you’re in the right place. In this ultimate guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about how to become a labor and delivery nurse—from the essential skills you’ll need to the education, salary expectations, and job outlook through 2032.

L&D nurses are often found in hospital maternity wards, birthing centers, and delivery rooms, but many also work in birth centers or attend home births as “birth assistants.” They’re highly trained registered nurses (RNs) with strong communication, assessment, and teaching skills—key traits that help new parents through the highs and lows of the birthing process.

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 Quick Career Snapshot

• Time to Become an L&D Nurse: ~4 years (BSN path)

• Job Outlook (2022–2032): 6% growth

• Average Annual Salary: $73,491
  (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics & Payscale, June 2024)

Key Takeaways: How to Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse

• Labor and delivery nurses play a critical role in monitoring and supporting mothers and newborns through labor, childbirth, and immediate postpartum recovery—most commonly in hospitals and birthing centers.

• To become a labor and delivery nurse, you must first earn your registered nurse (RN) license by completing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

• Earning specialty credentials like the RNC-OB (Inpatient Obstetric Nursing) certification and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification can significantly boost your job prospects and credibility in this high-demand field.

What Does a Labor and Delivery Nurse Do?

If you’re researching how to become a labor and delivery nurse, understanding their daily responsibilities is essential. Labor and delivery (L&D) nurses play a hands-on role in one of the most critical moments of healthcare: childbirth. They closely monitor patients throughout every phase of labor and delivery, respond to medical needs during emergencies, and provide immediate postpartum care for both mothers and newborns—especially during the vital first two hours after birth.

L&D nurses are responsible for administering medications, tracking vital signs, operating monitoring devices, and educating patients and their families on the birthing process. They serve as emotional anchors during labor, offering both medical and psychological support to expectant parents.

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 Core Responsibilities of a Labor and Delivery Nurse

• Care for patients and infants during labor, birth, and immediate postpartum recovery

• Administer medications and monitor maternal and fetal vital signs

• Provide emotional and psychological support to patients and families

• Collaborate with OB/GYNs, midwives, and other healthcare professionals

• Assist in obstetric emergencies and surgical births (e.g., cesarean sections)

• Document care, assess labor progress, and escalate care when necessary

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 Key Traits for Success

To succeed in this high-stakes, fast-paced environment, labor and delivery nurses must demonstrate:

• Empathy – offering comfort during emotionally intense experiences

• Sharp clinical judgment – making fast, confident decisions during labor or emergencies

• Strong communication skills – with both patients and interdisciplinary care teams

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 Where Do Labor and Delivery Nurses Work?

If you’re serious about how to become a labor and delivery nurse, it’s important to know the types of environments you’ll work in. L&D nurses typically practice in:

➤ Labor, Delivery, and Recovery Rooms (LDRs) – Hospital-Based Settings

In traditional hospital settings, labor and delivery nurses work in LDR rooms where they assess maternal and fetal health, manage medications, and support both natural and surgical births. They help with hygiene, movement, and emotional reassurance—playing a vital role in both clinical and personal support.

➤ Birthing Centers

In more home-like environments, such as birthing centers, L&D nurses provide care during labor and postpartum recovery. They monitor the patient’s condition, check fetal progress, and initiate transfers to hospitals if complications arise. They also support the newborn’s immediate care and help new parents through their first hours post-birth.

➤ Home Births

Some experienced L&D nurses assist in home births as birth assistants, often working alongside midwives to provide maternal support, emergency readiness, and newborn care in non-clinical settings.

What’s the Difference Between a Labor and Delivery Nurse and a Certified Nurse Midwife?

If you’re researching how to become a labor and delivery nurse, it’s important to understand how this role compares to that of a certified nurse midwife (CNM). While both are licensed registered nurses (RNs) who assist in childbirth, their education, responsibilities, and decision-making authority differ significantly.

Labor and Delivery Nurse (L&D Nurse)

L&D nurses are frontline caregivers during labor and delivery. They typically:

• Focus on one patient at a time who is in active labor

• Administer medications and monitor mother and baby throughout the birthing process

• Work under the direction of nurse midwives or physicians

• Hold an RN license and often have specialized certifications like RNC-OB or neonatal resuscitation

Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

A CNM is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who may:

• Oversee multiple patients during labor, triage, or postpartum

• Provide comprehensive care throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum

• Hold an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) or DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)

• Make independent medical decisions, including prescribing medications and leading deliveries

In short, if your goal is to support patients during labor while working under the supervision of a provider, learning how to become a labor and delivery nurse is the right path. If you’re interested in managing a patient’s entire maternity journey and making clinical decisions, the CNM route may be for you.

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How to Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse

The minimum requirement to become a labor and delivery nurse is to:

1. Earn an ADN or BSN (Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing)

2. Pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a licensed registered nurse

3. Gain clinical experience in obstetrics, maternal-child health, or postpartum care

To stand out in the competitive job market, many aspiring L&D nurses pursue:

• A BSN (preferred by many hospitals)

• The RNC-OB (Inpatient Obstetric Nursing) certification

• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification

These credentials not only make you more marketable but also better prepare you for the unique challenges of labor and delivery nursing.

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Labor and Delivery Nurse Salary in 2025

As of June 2024, the average annual salary for labor and delivery nurses is $73,491, according to PayScale. Nurses who hold specialized credentials, such as the RNC-OB, report even higher earnings—up to $84,000 per year or more.

Key factors influencing salary include:

• Location (L&D nurses in California, New Jersey, and Washington typically earn more)

• Years of experience

• Level of education (ADN vs. BSN)

• Specialized training or certification

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Job Outlook for Labor and Delivery Nurses

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 6% growth rate for registered nursing jobs from 2022 to 2032—faster than the national average for all occupations. This means strong job security and rising demand, especially for those who specialize in maternal health.

Key Duties of a Labor and Delivery Nurse

Understanding the key duties of a labor and delivery nurse is essential if you’re exploring how to become a labor and delivery nurse. These professionals are the foundation of support for laboring mothers, acting as clinical experts, emotional anchors, and patient advocates through every stage of childbirth.

 Core Responsibilities

Labor and delivery nurses work closely with OB/GYNs and midwives to:

• Monitor maternal and fetal vital signs throughout labor and birth

• Administer medications (including epidurals or induction drugs)

• Offer emotional and physical support to laboring mothers and their partners

• Communicate birth plans and respond to unexpected changes or emergencies

• Educate and reassure families before, during, and after delivery

• Provide immediate neonatal care and ensure safe recovery in the postpartum phase

These nurses must be able to adapt quickly in fast-paced environments, especially when complications arise or emergency interventions (like C-sections) are necessary.

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 Stages of Care in Labor and Delivery Nursing

Labor and delivery nurses are present during the entire childbirth journey, often beginning in prenatal care and continuing through postpartum recovery.

 Antepartum (Before Labor)

During the pregnancy phase leading up to labor, L&D nurses may:

• Monitor fetal development and maternal health

• Conduct fetal assessments or ultrasounds

• Educate mothers about labor expectations and wellness

• Support high-risk pregnancies with individualized care plans

 Intrapartum (Labor & Delivery)

This is where L&D nurses are most active:

• Support patients through every contraction and stage of labor

• Assist in vaginal births, breech deliveries, and C-sections

• Adjust care as birth plans change or complications arise

• Maintain communication with doctors and midwives for safe delivery

 Postpartum (Recovery After Birth)

After childbirth, labor and delivery nurses:

• Monitor the mother for signs of hemorrhage or complications

• Support breastfeeding and newborn bonding

• Provide physical and emotional care to patients during recovery

• Offer resources such as lactation consultants or mental health support

 Neonatal Care (Immediate Infant Care)

While neonatal nurses typically handle complex newborn needs, many L&D nurses provide:

• Initial newborn assessments and APGAR scoring

• Vital sign monitoring

• Basic respiratory support or assisted ventilation if needed

• Education for new parents on newborn care and safety

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 Evaluate, Educate, Monitor, Treat – Your Core Roles as an L&D Nurse

The journey to mastering how to become a labor and delivery nurse includes becoming proficient in the following key roles:

 Evaluate

L&D nurses continuously assess the needs of their patients—from managing pain during contractions to identifying postpartum depression risks. Excellent communication helps anticipate those needs before they escalate.

 Educate

You serve as a vital resource for expectant parents. From labor coping techniques to newborn feeding basics, your role includes empowering families with knowledge, calm, and confidence.

 Monitor

Constant observation is critical. You’ll track:

• Contraction patterns

• Fetal heart rate

• Maternal blood pressure and vitals

• Signs of fetal distress or delivery complications

 Treat

Every birth is different. L&D nurses must be prepared to:

• Administer pain relief (e.g., epidurals)

• Induce labor when ordered

• Prepare patients for surgical births

• Respond to emergency changes in maternal or fetal condition

https://realnursingjourney.com/nclex-prep-ultimate-guide-2025

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 L&D Nurses as Innovators

Experienced labor and delivery nurses often become champions of innovation in maternal health. They refine care strategies based on past patient experiences, adapt to new technologies, and develop best practices that improve outcomes for mothers and babies. These professionals are often advocates for birthing equity, respectful maternity care, and patient-centered support.

🎧 Example: Check out the podcast “Empowering Childbirth” with Ruth Watson Lubic, a trailblazer who opened the first freestanding birth center for low-income families in NYC.

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 Key Traits of a Great Labor and Delivery Nurse

If you’re committed to becoming a labor and delivery nurse, it’s important to cultivate these four essential traits:

 Fast-Paced Decision-Making

Childbirth can escalate quickly. You need to make critical decisions under pressure—often in high-stakes situations.

 Compassionate Communication

L&D nurses are patient-facing professionals who spend extended time with patients and their families. Empathy and clarity are crucial.

 Structured Thinking

Following structured care plans and maintaining organized workflows allows you to adapt in high-pressure environments without missing critical steps.

 Adaptability

No two births are the same. The best L&D nurses adjust their care approach with ease, responding confidently to unique clinical and emotional scenarios.

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 What’s the Average Salary for a Labor and Delivery Nurse?

According to PayScale (2024), labor and delivery nurses in the U.S. earn:

• $33.56/hour on average

• $55,000–$96,000 per year, depending on location, certification, and experience

Nurses with RNC-OB certification or advanced neonatal skills often earn at the higher end of the spectrum.

Resources for Aspiring Labor and Delivery Nurses

If you’re serious about how to become a labor and delivery nurse, these professional organizations offer education, networking, and certification support:

• AWHONN (Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses)
  Offers fetal monitoring courses, conferences, and advocacy for L&D nurses.

• ACNM (American College of Nurse-Midwives)
  Provides continuing education and resources for midwives and advanced practice nurses in maternity care.

• NANN (National Association of Neonatal Nurses)
  Ideal for those interested in caring for newborns; offers journals, fellowships, and annual events.

• NPWH (Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health)
  Offers research, policy updates, and certifications focused on advancing women’s healthcare.

  https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Labor_and_Delivery_Nurse/Salary