What is it like to be a Labor and Delivery nurse?

I am quite interested about possibly studying to become an L&D nurse, I am currently studying to become a Medical Office professional, I have thought about this before, just wasn't very sure about it, but the more I think about it the more I want to try, so I just wanted to know what it was like. Also, how would it take to become a L&D nurse?

last part i meant to say "how long would it take?"

I dont know but it does sound very interesting!!!!


Mother to twin 2 year olds and a 8 month old!!!

I don't know - but I would love to be a L&D nurse....I'll be watching the answers!!

My mom is a labor and delivery nurse and she loves it. She would def. suggest it to anyone. from what i know my mom graduated from college with a nursing degree and when she was hired on at the hospital she first worked in ICU. she later transferred to L&D and they train you there.

It takes about 2 years to get your associates in nursing, and you can do your clinicals or intern in any field you'd like, including labor and delivery to get your experience.

I'm not sure what's it's like as I'm still in school for it :), but that's excactly what I'm studying for too.

My friend is one in a large hospital with lots of high risk moms coming in. She loves it, but it can be very stressful too. Not all babies are born healthy and you have to be able to deal with the bad and the happy times alike. You have to be supportive but firm if there is an emergency and the husband and mom and family members become uncooperative. It's a lot of work. You also have to know how to deliver babies yourself because the doctor doesn't always get there.
Can you handle dealing with a stillbirth, miscarriages, babies that onlu live a few hours and you're still taking care of the mom? I'm just trying to open your eyes because it is a HARD profession. You can make a ton of $$$, but you will earn it. My friend tries not to be emotionally attatched to anyone - makes the hard stuff easier, also makes her come across as a B**ch you know? You have to deal with crappy doctors, crappy patients - I could never do it and not go off on someone who was being ridiculous.
You have to become an RN - which can take 3 years going full time. Then you still have no guarantee you'd get in to L&D because it's a hot field of choice.
You might want to consider Nurse Midwifery - but then you have a lot more responsibility - you are the one delivering the babies and providing prenatal and postpartum care.
Hope I could help. I thought about it too, but hearing it from her - there is no way. It's nice when it goes well, I wouldn't be able to deal with women who just lost their baby and so on... I would be crying too and you can't do that.