Obstetrics Nurse: Job Description and Requirements for Becoming an Obstetrics Nurse
Obstetrics nurses assist doctors in caring for women during pregnancies and childbirth. Potential obstetrics nurses must become RNs (registered nurses). Keep reading to learn more about becoming an obstetrics nurse.
Job Description
Obstetrics nurses, sometimes referred to as OB nurses, specialize in assisting doctors in the care of pregnant women and in the delivery of babies. They often work in the labor and delivery department in hospitals, health clinics or doctors' offices. Obstetrics nurses work as part of a team of caregivers. They need to listen and take directions well. Attention to detail, patience and the ability to handle stress are also paramount. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are critical for succeeding in nursing careers. Common duties for obstetrics nurses include:
- Preparing delivery rooms
- Prepping patients
- Sterilizing and preparing instruments
- Caring for babies immediately after birth
- Explaining after-birth care to new parents
Requirements for Becoming an Obstetrics Nurse
Education Requirements
To begin a career in general nursing, students need to have a high school diploma or equivalent and complete an accredited training program in nursing to become a registered nurse (RN). Hospitals offer diploma programs. Additionally, 2-year associate degrees in nursing are available at community colleges and vocational/technical schools, and universities and colleges offer 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs. Completing one of these programs allow graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to become RNs. Graduates of a BSN program may experience better career opportunities and may proceed to graduate school to earn advance degrees.
Becoming an OB Nurse
RNs who want to work as an OB nurse must obtain experience working in obstetrics. During training, a student may try to do their internship in an OB department of a hospital. Graduates may apply for an entry-level position in the maternity department of a hospital. They may become a doula (either before starting their nursing training or after). A doula provides non-medical support to mothers during labor and childbirth. Dona International (www.dona.org) provides doula training and certification.
Other training to consider is NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program), PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) and ALSO (Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics). Becoming a member of AWHONN (Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses) may provide opportunities to network. Obtaining a position as a unit clerk on the maternity ward may help in obtaining a position as an OB nurse.
Certification for OB Nurses
NCC (National Certification Corporation) offers the Inpatient Obstetric Nursing certification for OB nurses. Applicants must have a current RN license. They must have worked in obstetrics for 24 months and have put in, at minimum, 2,000 hours. To meet experience requirements, students may include working in research, administration or patient care, as well as educational experience.
Related to Obstetrics Nurse: Job Description and Requirements for Becoming an Obstetrics Nurse
- Related
- Recently Updated
- Popular
Nursing Training: Top College for Becoming a Nurse - Wichita, KS
Wichita State University offers a variety of options for students pursuing nursing degrees at the undergraduate and...
Become a Nurse Esthetician: Education and Career Roadmap
Learn how to become a nurse esthetician. Research the career requirements, licensure information and experience...
Career Information for a Degree As a Nurse Practitioner
A nurse practitioner degree program prepares nursing students to provide primary care to families and treat patients....
Nurse Midwife: Career and Education Profile
Nurse midwives assist women before, during and after childbirth. They often provide more one-on-one time with patients...
Nursing School: Top School for Becoming a Nurse - Sacramento, CA
- Advanced Practice Oncology Nurse: Salary and Career Information
- How to Become a Parish Nurse: Education and Career Roadmap
- Obstetrics Technician Education and Training Program Information
- Top Ranked Business Finance Degree Program - Kansas City, MO
- Top University with a Computer Engineering Degree - Phoenix, AZ
- Top Ranked Medical Assisting Degree Programs - Denver, CO
- Top Ranked School for Healthcare Management - Chicago, IL
23 Popular Schools
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Arizona (1 campus)
- Florida (2 campuses)
- Michigan (1)
- Nevada (1)
- New York (1)
- Oregon (1)
- Utah (1)
Classroom-Based Programs
-
Bachelor
-
- BS in Nursing
-
- Associate
-
Non-Degree
-
- Diploma in Practical Nursing
-
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Master
- Bachelor
-
Associate
-
- AS in Health Science
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Master
- Bachelor
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
- Currently not accepting applicants from Minnesota or Tennessee
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Master
-
- RN to MSN in Nursing - Nurse Administrator
- RN to MSN in Nursing - Nurse Educator
- RN to MSN in Nursing - Nursing Informatics
-
- Bachelor
- Associate
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Doctorate
-
Bachelor
-
- BS in Nursing - General
- BS in Health Studies - General
-
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must have either two or more years of college or active military status if you are under 24 years of age
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Doctorate
-
Master
-
- BSN in RN-to-BSN/MSN Combined Option (CCNE-accredited)
- MSN in RN-to-MSN General Nursing
- MSN in Diabetes Nursing
-
- MSN in General Nursing
- MSN in Nurse Educator
- MSN in Nursing Leadership and Administration
-
- Bachelor
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
- Arizona (5 campuses)
- California (26)
- Colorado (2)
- Florida (4)
- Georgia (2)
- Hawaii (2)
- Louisiana (1)
- Michigan (2)
- Nevada (2)
- Ohio (1)
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (4)
- Virginia (1)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
- Doctorate
- Master
- Bachelor
-
Associate
-
- AA in Health Care Administration
- AA in Health Care Administration - Electronic Health Records
- AA in Health Care Administration - Medical Records
-
- Associate of Arts Foundations in Health Care Administration
- Associate of Arts Foundations in Health Care Administration/Medical Records
-
- Non-Degree
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
- Associate
- Non-Degree
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must live within close proximity to school locations
- Must be graduated from high school by 2011
School locations:
- Arizona (1 campus)
- Florida (1 campus)
- Georgia (1)
- New Jersey (1)
- New York (4)
- Texas (2)
Classroom-Based Programs
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate.
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
-
Master
-
- Master of Science - Nursing
-
- Master of Science in Education - Allied Health Teaching and Leadership
-
-
Bachelor
-
- RN to BSN
-
- BS in Health Science
-
