How to Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse: Education & Licensure

A first step to becoming a labor and delivery nurse is to earn a degree in nursing. It’s possible to become a registered nurse with an associate degree in nursing (ADN). This two-year degree prepares new nurses for careers in healthcare. Getting your ADN may be your first stop on the road to becoming a labor and delivery nurse.

Earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) typically takes two additional years of study beyond an ADN, but it also makes more career paths possible. According to a 2022 survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), roughly 72% of employers expressed a strong preference for hiring BSN-prepared nurses, and about 28% required a BSN for new hires — figures that can vary by employer and region. Having a BSN may lead to more responsibilities and leadership roles at work. And if you wish to earn an advanced degree later, you’ll need a BSN.

Some ADN and BSN programs offer online or hybrid coursework, though most nursing programs also require in-person clinical hours that can’t be completed remotely. Check that your state’s nursing board has approved your program of choice for becoming a labor and delivery nurse.

Once you have completed a degree in nursing, you’ll take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), developed and administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Passing this exam demonstrates your knowledge of medical competencies and that you’re ready to become a registered nurse. Completing an accredited nursing program, whether an ADN or BSN, prepares you to sit for this exam.

Since April 2023, the NCLEX has used the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) format, which includes case-study-based questions and other innovative item types designed to measure clinical judgment, in addition to more traditional question formats.

The next usual step in the journey to becoming a labor and delivery nurse is obtaining state licensure. Each state’s board of nursing is charged with assuring that nurses working in that state are prepared and qualified to deliver optimal care to patients. Licensure requirements vary by state, but generally applying for a state RN license requires:

• Graduation from an accredited nursing program (ADN, BSN or diploma program).
• Official transcripts.
• A passing score on the NCLEX exam, which is set nationally by the NCSBN rather than by individual states.
• A completed application and possibly a background check and fingerprinting.
• Application fee.
• Recorded clinical experience.

RN license renewal cycles and continuing education requirements vary by state, so it’s important to check your specific state board of nursing for its renewal timeline and requirements.

To be more competitive in the labor and delivery nursing field, it can be helpful to earn credentials such as the inpatient obstetric nursing (RNC-OB) certification from the National Certification Corporation (NCC). Eligibility generally requires an active, unencumbered RN license, at least 24 months of specialty experience comprising a minimum of 2,000 hours, and employment in the specialty within the last 24 months. This certification can prepare RNs to work with vulnerable expectant mothers who are hospitalized before, during or after giving birth.

With this certification, you may find yourself working closely with women with high-risk pregnancies, early births, cesarean section births and other challenges. Getting an RNC-OB credential demonstrates a high level of skill in fetal assessment, patient education, pregnancy complications, labor and delivery and newborn care.

Other credentials relevant to this specialty include Certified Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM), an NCC certification that validates skill in interpreting fetal heart rate patterns during labor. The Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) is a related credential to be aware of: it’s a training and provider program developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), not a certification, and it prepares nurses to respond to newborns who need help breathing immediately after birth. Requirements and preferences for these credentials vary by employer and unit.

If you want more training, specialization and career opportunities, consider getting an advanced nursing degree. Obtaining these positions can mean more responsibility and possibly higher salaries. When you’re ready to find a new job, you may be able to cast a wider net to find the right position for you.

With a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), numerous advanced nursing careers can open up, such as:

• Nurse Administrator
• Nurse Educator
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Certified Nurse-Midwife

You can earn an MSN with on-campus and online MSN programs available to qualified candidates. An increasing number of colleges and universities offer accredited online MSN programs to help nurses gain new skills and enhance their job prospects, no matter where they live and work.