Working in labor and delivery can be a very exciting
job. You get to watch new life come into the world and see patients and their
families experience one of the happiest moments of their lives.
Benefits of working in labor and delivery
Most nurses juggle multiple patients during the day.
Labor and delivery nurses typically are assigned to one actively laboring
mother at a time. This arrangement develops a bond between the patient and the
nurse. Depending on the length of labor the nurse may be with the mom from the
time of check-in until the birth of the baby. Labor and delivery nurses
generally work 12 hour shifts, however it’s not uncommon for them to stay over
if the patient is nearing the delivery process.
Organization
Things can change and move very quickly during labor
and an unexpected situation may arise. Labor and delivery nurses need to be
quick thinkers and provide strong patient advocacy. The nurse, the patient, and
the patient’s partner form what is considered a team approach for the delivery
process. The nurse is there for medical care, comfort, and support. It’s
important to have all necessary supplies and items needed in order, and
available at the start of your shift. Organization is key in labor and delivery
to make for a smooth birthing process.
Nonjudgmental
In order to work successfully in labor and delivery,
you must have an open mind. You will deal with a very diverse group of
patients, and they all must be treated with respect and compassion. Teen moms, older moms, women who have
undergone fertility treatments and are very nervous, even women who are
incarcerated. It is important to keep in mind that not all family dynamics are
the same, a labor and delivery nurse must be caring, and show empathy to all
patients regardless of circumstances.
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Dealing with difficult times
A good rule of thumb is that working in labor and
delivery 99% of the time it’s great. When it’s bad, it tends to be very bad
because it is dealing with the loss of a baby or mother. Labor and delivery
nurses are blessed with the task of helping usher in a new life; however they
also need to be versed on how to handle end-of-life issues. The connection to
the family during the time of crisis can be very great as you may be one
helping them during the most difficult time of their life.
Becoming a labor and delivery nurse
Labor and delivery nurses are registered nurses. The
education needed may vary; you may need an Associate's degree or Bachelor's
degree in the field of nursing. All nurses must pass the national Council
licensure examination-registered nurse licensure. There are also voluntary
certifications that pertain specifically to labor and delivery specialists.
Most certifications require a certain amount of working experience in the labor
and delivery department prior to taking the examination. The key skills needed
for working in labor and delivery is good communication, emotional stability,
detail oriented compassion, and critical thinking. You must also be familiar
with the medical software used by the particular hospital, as it’s important to
maintain vital signs of mother and baby during the labor process. Labor and
delivery nurses are currently in demand at most major hospitals.
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Nurse Workforce
Neonatal intensive care unit
NICU nurses care for infants born prematurely, or
full-term babies with serious medical issues. They provide education, support,
and care for the infant’s parents. Most NICU nurses are RNs and have completed
additional training before moving into the specialty. Most cases, in ICU there
is often no typical work shift and nurses work as the demand requires. It’s
very common to develop a friendship with families of NICU babies as you may
care for them for a prolonged period of time. Working in the NICU can be a very
rewarding experience, watching premature babies thrive, grow, get well and go
home with their families. At the same time, things are not always glorious
occasions. You must maintain a constant level of professionalism even during
the saddest of times.
There is no question working in labor and delivery is a
great job for the right person. If you have an interest in pursuing a career in
this field, check with your employer regarding needed certifications and
tuition assistance programs for continuing education in this area of nursing.
Working as a nurse in any department is a great job, however new life
introduced in labor and delivery makes it extra special. If you have considered
working in this field and are already employed at a medical facility ask about
a cross training program so that you can be enlightened to the process of
working in labor and delivery.
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