A degree may open the door to a variety of opportunities and diverse career paths. The degree programs offered at CTU will not necessarily lead to the featured careers. This collection of articles is intended to help inform and guide you through the process of determining which level of degree and types of certifications align with your desired career path.
To become a labor and delivery nurse, either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is typically required. Licensure is also required, which is obtained by passing the NCLEX-RN exam.
A labor and delivery (L&D) nurse is a specialized registered nurse (RN) who supports women during and after the birthing process. L&D nurses provide both medical assistance, such as fetal heart rate monitoring and labor progression assessments, and emotional support to expectant and new mothers. In this article, we explore what they do and how to become one, including education, licensing, certification, and continuing education requirements.
The Role of a Labor and Delivery Nurse
Registered nurses (RNs) provide direct care, education, advice, and emotional support to patients and their families.1 Those who work with expectant mothers during labor, delivery, and the first few hours after birth are known as labor and delivery nurses.
Typical RN duties include assessing patient conditions, recording medical histories and symptoms, administering treatments, and assisting with diagnostic tests.1 In an L&D context, this means assessing the condition of both mother and baby, monitoring contractions and fetal heart rate, inserting IVs, and providing postpartum support immediately following delivery.
RNs are generally expected to be compassionate, communicative, emotionally stable, and organized.1 For L&D nurses specifically, these qualities may mean empathizing with women experiencing intense physical or emotional pain, providing encouragement during labor, staying calm during unexpected emergencies such as an unplanned C-section, and managing the care of multiple patients at different stages of the birth process.
How to Become a Registered Nurse (RN)
Before specializing in labor and delivery, you must first become an RN. Pursuing RN licensure involves several steps.
Step 1: Satisfy Education Requirements
There are several educational pathways to becoming an RN.
1. Nursing Diploma
Nursing diploma programs were once the most common pathway to a nursing career. They are usually offered by hospitals or medical centers rather than colleges or universities and typically take two to three years to complete.1 The number of diploma programs declined throughout the 20th century, except in a few states.2
2. Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
ASN and ADN programs typically take about two years to complete. This pathway may appeal to aspiring nurses who want to earn a college degree without committing to a four-year bachelor's program before pursuing RN licensure and entry-level nursing roles.
3. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Some schools offer BSN programs for students with no prior nursing experience, providing a full four-year undergraduate education before entering the nursing workforce.
A common option is the RN-to-BSN degree completion program. These programs are designed for actively licensed RNs who already hold an associate degree in nursing or a nursing diploma. Because certain employers, particularly hospitals, may require nurses to hold a bachelor's degree,1 the RN-to-BSN pathway could help expand potential opportunities for experienced RNs. A BSN may also lay the foundation for more advanced study, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Not sure about the difference between the two credentials? Our article on BSN vs. RN breaks it down.
Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam
Completing a nursing diploma or degree program is only the first step. The next is to sit for and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Passing this exam demonstrates the ability to practice safe and effective nursing at the entry level.
Step 3: Obtain State Licensure
Because RN licensing requirements are set by each state's board of nursing, they can vary by location. Passing a state criminal background check, for example, is not currently a requirement in all states.1 The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) offers a tool that provides state-specific guidance based on where you plan to live and practice.
Additional Requirements for Labor and Delivery Nurses
Gain Experience in L&D Nursing
All undergraduate nursing programs include a supervised clinical experience component, also known as clinical rotations or clinicals. These rotations can occur in various healthcare settings and specialties, including labor and delivery. Not every aspiring L&D nurse will have the opportunity to complete a labor and delivery clinical rotation during school.3
Pursue Labor and Delivery Nursing Certification
RNs may be required to hold cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), basic life support (BLS), or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification.1 Future L&D nurses may need additional certifications and training as well. For example, employers may require completion of a Neonatal Resuscitation Program® (NRP®) course, offered by providers including the American Academy of Pediatrics.4 A fetal heart monitoring course may also be required, and obtaining the Certification in Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM®) is another credential available in the field.5,6
After gaining two years of L&D experience caring for hospitalized pregnant women during the antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and newborn periods, RNs may seek Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB®) certification to validate their specialty knowledge.7 Other certifications relevant to L&D nursing include:
- Low-Risk Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-LRN)
- Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN)
- Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-NIC)
Continuing Education for Labor and Delivery Nurses
Most states require continuing education (CE) for nurses, though requirements vary because each state's board of nursing sets its own standards. For example, all states require nurses to periodically renew their RN licenses. However, not all states require a minimum number of continuing education units to do so.8
Even when CE is not required by a state board, certain employers or credentialing bodies may require nurses to meet specific CE requirements to maintain their credentials. It is important to check with your employer and any relevant credentialing bodies to confirm what is needed for renewal. Each of the specialized L&D certifications listed above, including the RNC-OB®, RNC-LRN, RNC-MNN, and RNC-NIC, must be renewed every three years, and renewal for each involves satisfying a certain number of continuing education hours.9
Frequently Asked Questions
A labor and delivery nurse is a specialized RN who cares for women during labor, delivery, and the immediate postpartum period. Their responsibilities include monitoring contractions and fetal heart rate, inserting IVs, assessing the condition of mother and baby, and providing emotional support throughout the birthing process. L&D nurses work closely with physicians, midwives, and other healthcare professionals to help ensure safe outcomes for both mother and newborn.
The timeline varies based on your educational pathway. An ADN typically takes about two years, while a BSN generally takes four years. After completing your degree, you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam and obtain state licensure. Most L&D nurses also spend one to two years working in general hospital nursing before transitioning into the labor and delivery specialty, and some certifications require a minimum of two years of L&D-specific experience before eligibility.
Both an ADN and a BSN satisfy the educational requirements to become an RN and pursue a labor and delivery specialization. However, a BSN provides a broader foundation, covering topics such as leadership, community health, research, and evidence-based practice. Some hospitals and healthcare systems may prefer or require a BSN for RN positions. Nurses who hold an ADN or diploma and wish to earn their BSN can explore degree completion programs, such as the RN-to-BSN program at CTU. For a detailed comparison of these two credentials, visit our article on BSN vs. RN.
At a minimum, L&D nurses typically need CPR, BLS, or ACLS certification, and employers may also require NRP® course completion and fetal heart monitoring training.1,4,5 The C-EFM® credential is another certification available in the field.6 After two years of L&D experience, nurses may pursue the RNC-OB® core certification, as well as specialty certifications such as the RNC-LRN, RNC-MNN, and RNC-NIC.7 Each of these must be renewed every three years.9
You do not necessarily need a BSN to become an L&D nurse. Many labor and delivery nurses enter the field with an ADN or nursing diploma. However, a BSN may expand the range of positions available to you, particularly in hospital settings, and can help you prepare for advanced roles or further education. Nurses seeking to advance their credentials can explore CTU's RN-to-BSN program designed for working nurses.
Advance Your Nursing Education at CTU
If you are thinking about advancing your nursing education, CTU offers accredited online nursing degree programs designed to fit into a busy life as a working nurse.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing at CTU is an RN-to-BSN degree completion program built for licensed RNs who want to expand their practice options. The program is 100% online, with flexible scheduling and the ability to complete clinical requirements in your local community.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs at CTU are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Explore online nursing degree programs today, or apply now.
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- How to Become a Nurse Informatics Specialist
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, "Registered Nurses," https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm (accessed September 23, 2026). This data represents national figures and is not based on school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.
2 Institute of Medicine (U.S.), The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, "Undergraduate Nursing Education" (2011), https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK209873/ (accessed September 23, 2026).
3 American Nurses Association, "What to Expect During Nursing Clinicals," https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/becoming-a-nurse/what-to-expect-during-clinicals/ (accessed September 23, 2026).
4 American Academy of Pediatrics, "Provider," Neonatal Resuscitation Program, https://www.aap.org/en/pedialink/neonatal-resuscitation-program/provider/ (accessed September 23, 2026).
5 Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, "Intrapartum Care Resources," https://awhonn.org/resources-and-information/nurse-resources/intrapartum-care-resources/ (accessed September 23, 2026).
6 National Certification Corporation, "Exam Fees and Eligibility," https://www.nccwebsite.org/certification-exams/exam-fees-and-eligibility (accessed September 23, 2026).
7 National Certification Corporation, "Inpatient Obstetric Nursing," https://new.nccwebsite.org/certification-exams/details/2/inpatient-obstetric-nursing (accessed September 23, 2026).
8 National Council of State Boards of Nursing, "Nurse Licensure Guidance," https://www.ncsbn.org/nurse-licensure-guidance (accessed September 23, 2026).
9 National Certification Corporation, "Certification and Certificate Maintenance," https://www.nccwebsite.org/maintain-your-certification/certification-and-certificate-maintenance (accessed September 23, 2026).
CTU cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all states.
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