4 answers
Michelle
Student
Yuma, Arizona
2
Questions
Asked
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What are some of the hardest or easiest steps of wanting to being a labor and delivery nurse?
My name is Michelle and I am 13 years old and I go to Crane middle schools and I want to know what are the hardest steps and easiest steps to be a labor and delivery nurse. I had always wanted to be a nurse but I never knew what kind of nurse but I just wanted to save life’s and just as much as I want to save life’s I want to being life into this earth. I want to to prepare for want may come up when I am trying to get to my career and what experience I can start doing at a young age so I can be more prepared for my future career.
3 answers
Mary Ehrgott
Pharmacist in HIV specialty setting
14
Answers
Newtown, Pennsylvania
Updated
Mary’s Answer
o become a labor and delivery nurse, you must earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a Registered Nurse (RN), and obtain your state RN license. After becoming an RN, you should gain clinical experience in an obstetric unit, and for enhanced career prospects, consider obtaining specialized certifications like Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB), and potentially pursuing an advanced degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing
Sarah Clark
Registered Nurse
4
Answers
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Hi Michelle,
It's great that you have such a caring goal in mind. Labor and Delivery (L&D) is a sought-after area of nursing and there are some ways to make yourself a more attractive candidate. Here are my thoughts.
Getting into nursing school is competitive, so the first step is getting accepted to a program. So of course, good grades are important. When you are signing up for electives, lean toward STEM classes. Biology and chemistry are great choices. Math is important, especially algebra. Geometry and calculus are important for some careers, but not so much for becoming a nurse. If your school offers Heath Careers classes or a club, that is also a good way to make your application to nursing school stand out. Health Careers programs often help you get your CNA (certified nursing assistant) or EMT (emergency medical technician) certification for your state. That really gets noticed on a nursing school application.
Other things that make you more attractive to nursing school programs are volunteer activities. Many hospitals have programs for teenagers to volunteer in the hospital during the summer. Participating in charity events is great, too. Some hospitals also have volunteer programs to be a "nanny" for newborn babies in the intensive care unit and newborn nursery.
Work can also make you a good candidate for nursing school. Baby sitting, lifeguarding at a pool, or other caring jobs are especially great. But, really any job can help show you're responsible and serious about becoming a nurse. Also, pick a job that you find interesting and fun so it will make you more successful. You don't want to spend time doing a job that makes you unhappy. You sound like you really want to help people, so working with underserved populations, single moms, or kids may be more fulfilling to you.
Once you get into nursing school, grades are still important. Participating in clubs or activities help make you stand out to employers. Talk to your nursing instructors and let them know what you're interested in. They are great contacts and are able to introduce you to people at the hospital who can help you meet your goals. Be interested in every clinical experience you have during school. You never know what you may learn, and it goes a long way toward building your reputation as a good student and strong candidate to be a nurse in the specialty you want.
I'm excited that you are considering nursing and Labor and Delivery. As I say, Labor and Delivery is a highly competitive specialty. Some hospitals won't hire a new nurse who doesn't have experience straight to L&D. Have a 2nd or 3rd choice in mind, just in case. Medical Surgical nursing is a great start. You can also look at Mother Baby Unit (where you take care of women who just had a baby), nursery, or anything in women's health. Most hospitals will let you transfer to a different unit in 6 months to a year. It might delay your ultimate goal, but you'll be working toward your destination.
I wish you all the best in your career. Be patient with yourself and have fun on the journey, too.
It's great that you have such a caring goal in mind. Labor and Delivery (L&D) is a sought-after area of nursing and there are some ways to make yourself a more attractive candidate. Here are my thoughts.
Getting into nursing school is competitive, so the first step is getting accepted to a program. So of course, good grades are important. When you are signing up for electives, lean toward STEM classes. Biology and chemistry are great choices. Math is important, especially algebra. Geometry and calculus are important for some careers, but not so much for becoming a nurse. If your school offers Heath Careers classes or a club, that is also a good way to make your application to nursing school stand out. Health Careers programs often help you get your CNA (certified nursing assistant) or EMT (emergency medical technician) certification for your state. That really gets noticed on a nursing school application.
Other things that make you more attractive to nursing school programs are volunteer activities. Many hospitals have programs for teenagers to volunteer in the hospital during the summer. Participating in charity events is great, too. Some hospitals also have volunteer programs to be a "nanny" for newborn babies in the intensive care unit and newborn nursery.
Work can also make you a good candidate for nursing school. Baby sitting, lifeguarding at a pool, or other caring jobs are especially great. But, really any job can help show you're responsible and serious about becoming a nurse. Also, pick a job that you find interesting and fun so it will make you more successful. You don't want to spend time doing a job that makes you unhappy. You sound like you really want to help people, so working with underserved populations, single moms, or kids may be more fulfilling to you.
Once you get into nursing school, grades are still important. Participating in clubs or activities help make you stand out to employers. Talk to your nursing instructors and let them know what you're interested in. They are great contacts and are able to introduce you to people at the hospital who can help you meet your goals. Be interested in every clinical experience you have during school. You never know what you may learn, and it goes a long way toward building your reputation as a good student and strong candidate to be a nurse in the specialty you want.
I'm excited that you are considering nursing and Labor and Delivery. As I say, Labor and Delivery is a highly competitive specialty. Some hospitals won't hire a new nurse who doesn't have experience straight to L&D. Have a 2nd or 3rd choice in mind, just in case. Medical Surgical nursing is a great start. You can also look at Mother Baby Unit (where you take care of women who just had a baby), nursery, or anything in women's health. Most hospitals will let you transfer to a different unit in 6 months to a year. It might delay your ultimate goal, but you'll be working toward your destination.
I wish you all the best in your career. Be patient with yourself and have fun on the journey, too.
Martin Schoen
APRN
387
Answers
Ocala, Florida
Updated
Martin’s Answer
First, you'll need to attend nursing school and pass your RN exam. There are different paths to take, but the direct route is often the best. You might need to spend some time in a medical/surgical unit, so when you get hired, ask if you can work on that floor or be assigned there occasionally. It takes a special kind of nurse, but if this is your passion, you can definitely achieve it. Remember, you're making a difference on every floor of a hospital. In labor and delivery, your focus is on helping new mothers and their babies. You'll do a lot of teaching with new parents, but not everyone is thrilled about having a baby. Sometimes, there are difficult situations with patients, and you'll need to handle those moments too. If religious beliefs are playing any role in your choice of nursing, you should gear to that type of facility.
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