What is a Labor and Delivery Nurse?

Labor and delivery nurses are the lucky recipients of one of the most precious gifts in the world--the joy of new life. If you are a nurse who is excited about helping mothers bring their babies into the world, then this could be the ideal time to find out how to become a labor and delivery nurse. 

According to the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), labor and delivery nurses provide care for women during pregnancy, the process of labor and birth and recovery. Labor and delivery nurse job descriptions encompass a variety of responsibilities that occur during the process of childbirth. Labor and delivery nurse jobs are an important part of the childbirth process--from start to finish.

Life of a Labor and Delivery Nurse

The question on most nurse’s minds when thinking about a new career may be: What does a labor and delivery nurse do? The answer to that question is key to finding out if becoming a labor and delivery nurse is the right choice for you. 

One thing is for sure: a labor and delivery nurse plays a key role during pre-labor, active-labor and the postpartum recovery period. 

The most common labor and delivery nurse job descriptions will include the following labor and delivery nurse responsibilities: 

• Providing direct clinical patient care to both mothers and babies
• Administering medications
• Checking vital signs / fetal monitoring on both mother and infant
• Performing therapeutic and/or diagnostic exams
• Completing paperwork and patient charting.

As a labor and delivery nurse, you can expect to work closely with an interdisciplinary care team that includes doctors, obstetricians, gynecologists, midwives, doulas, other nurses and many more healthcare professionals that work in the labor and delivery ward.

Why Travel as a Labor and Delivery Nurse?

A labor and delivery travel nurse salary is usually about 15 percent more than the salary of a permanent staff position for a labor and delivery nurse, according to Travelnursing.com. 

But it’s not just all about the money. Labor and delivery travel nurses can enjoy a lot of other benefits, such as:

• Free, quality housing
• Assistance with licensing and career planning
• Continuing education
• Comprehensive medical and dental benefits
• So much more!

To find out more about becoming a labor and delivery travel nurse and the many financial benefits that can come with this career, click here.

Read More About Labor and Delivery Travel Nursing Salary and Requirements from the link below.