Labor and delivery nurse job description

Labor and delivery nurse job description 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.

Related: Childhood Immunizations 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 examinationregistered 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.

Related: The 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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