Overview

A labor and delivery (L&D) nurse supports patients during and after birth (vaginal and c-sections) under the supervision of a nurse midwife or physician. They also care for infants immediately after delivery. The registered nurses will work in L&D, the OR, and PACU.

Responsibilities

Labor and delivery (L&D) nurses provide medical and emotional support to mothers and babies before, during, and after birth. Their responsibilities include: 

Patient intake: Taking patient information and charting their obstetric history Monitoring: Monitoring the mother's vital signs, fetal heart rate, and contractions Administering medications: Giving pain medications, such as epidurals, and other treatments Assisting during delivery: Working with doctors or midwives to help deliver the baby Coaching: Coaching mothers through labor and delivery, and providing information on what to expect during pregnancy Educating: Educating patients and family members, especially on infant care Evaluating: Assessing the needs of parents and how to help them, and monitoring for complications Documenting: Keeping accurate electronic health records (EHRs) for all labor and delivery events, including assessments, interventions, and communication with the healthcare team 

L&D nurses also must be able to communicate clearly with patients, family members, doctors, and other medical professionals. They need to be calm and composed, able to display emotional strength, and able to manage stress. They have other responsibilities assigned as needed.

Qualifications

The following qualifications are the minimum requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of this position:

Current, active North Carolina RN license or RN multi-state licensure privilege through the NCBON without restrictions; Nurse Licensure Compact required.

Additional requirements:

BLSNRP (within six months)Fetal Monitoring, (Basic within 1 year and Intermediate within 2 years of hire)Stable

Recommended:

ACLS