How to Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse

Video Transcript

"The first step in becoming a labor and delivery nurse is to become a nurse. There are two paths that a student can take in becoming a nurse. One is a two year degree program. The other is a four year degree program. Either way the scope of practice for a registered nurse is the same. However, if you complete a four year degree, you have the title of Bachelor's of Science in Nursing. In most cases if you want to go on to a specialty in nursing such as labor and delivery, it's advised to do the four year degree program. Upon completing your R.N., you will want to gain some practical experience in acute care nursing. At this point the path to becoming a labor and delivery nurse is to apply to a labor and delivery unit. These specialized nursing units are often competitive. And so you'll want to not only have a strong academic background, but also very good reviews in your acute care work. Clinical competency is very important in nursing and will be considered highly in candidates for labor and delivery nurse positions. Upon acceptance to a position in a labor and delivery unit, you'll rede receive additional training from practicing nurses and supervising physicians. And then you'll be ready to join the care team."