Travel Nursing: Labor and Delivery

Labor and delivery nursing is a fulfilling career that allows you to assist women through one of the most special times in their lives. The position can be challenging but affords nurses the privilege of helping bring new life into the world. Learn more about labor and delivery travel nursing jobs below.

Requirements

Labor and delivery nurses are essential to the birthing process; they aid women during the antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum and neonatal stages. The care continues after the child is born, as they are responsible for developing individualized plans to help mother and baby succeed. They also provide education to assist mothers with breastfeeding and overall women’s health.

The job can be stressful at times, especially when women experience complications during pregnancy or delivery. During these situations, it is important for labor and delivery nurses to be quick on their feet, display good judgment and think critically. Excellent communication skills — with staff and patients — are imperative to be successful in this career.

As most births occur at a hospital, labor and delivery nurses are largely employed by these facilities. They may also work in clinics, birthing centers or physicians’ offices.

Note: Basic life support (BLS) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification, as well as one year of clinical experience, are required for all nurses RNnetwork places.

As a labor and delivery nurse, things change rapidly and no day is ever the same. Shifts vary and nurses may work a rotating schedule, including nights and weekends. Most hospitals staff labor and delivery nurses 24 hours a day.

Education

Labor and delivery nurses must possess a bachelor’s degree in nursing and have passed the NCLEX-RN. They may also be required to have knowledge of fetal monitoring and neonatal resuscitation. Some employers may require experience in the field — as a staff nurse — before being hired as a labor and delivery nurse.

Labor and delivery nurses may also apply for specialty certification in obstetrics and gynecology or become a certified nurse midwife. Specialty certifications are not required, but can open additional job opportunities.

Are you interested in traveling with RNnetwork? Check out our open labor and delivery travel nursing jobs.