Why Choose Labor & Delivery Nursing Specialty

A labor and delivery (L&D) nurse assists and cares for people giving birth and their babies during the process of childbirth, from labor to postpartum care. These nurses typically work in hospital L&D units and collaborate with other healthcare professionals, including obstetricians, midwives, and doulas. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore reasons to choose labor and delivery nursing.

Why Choose L&D Nursing Jobs 

There are several reasons why someone may choose to pursue a career in labor and delivery nursing. Below are some common motivations for choosing this career path.

Job Stability and Demand

Labor and delivery is a very intimate and highly skilled area of nursing. Regardless of how many births occur annually, the demand for these obstetrics (OB) nurses can always expect to be on the incline in terms of availability and high pay rates—especially in the per diem sector.

Furthermore, as the general population of nurses enters retirement, there will be a steady and increasing demand for L&D nurses. In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts nursing jobs to increase 6 percent from 2021 to 2031—which amounts to 200,000 new nurses. In short, specializing in this area of nursing will boost your career.

High Nursing Salaries

Registered nurses earn $89,010 annually, on average, depending on location, employment type, and level of experience, and their compensation package may include benefits such as 401(k), disability insurance, and health care coverage. Per diem nurses earn pay rates that are significantly higher than those of registered nurses who work on long-term contracts or are employed at a facility. Why do per diem L&D jobs pay higher than staff positions? Nurses who pick up PRN shifts via the open healthcare marketplace do not receive benefits and are responsible for their own taxes.

Opportunity to Travel

It is possible to become a labor and delivery travel nurse. In this role, you’ll travel to various locations for contracts.

Continuous Learning

Working as a labor and delivery nurse means always learning on the job, as no day or birth experience is the same. 

Final Thoughts | Why Choose Labor & Delivery Nursing

There are so many reasons to choose labor and delivery nursing, from the stability and job demand to the joy that comes from witnessing the miracle of life and supporting couples or individuals during one of the most important events of their lives.

If you’re looking to learn more about labor and delivery nursing, including information on how to become an L&D nurse, tips for new nurses, salary information, and what makes a good L and D nurse, you can refer to Nursa’s comprehensive guide on obstetrics nursing.