An obstetrics (OB) nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who specializes in the field of obstetrics. This field of medicine focuses on the care of women prior to conception, during pregnancy and childbirth, and immediately after the baby is born.
What Does an Obstetrics (OB) Nurse Do?
Obstetrics nurses work with women who aren’t pregnant and with those who are, providing assessment, monitoring, treatment, and other types of support under the direction and supervision of an obstetrician, who is a licensed medical doctor. They may also provide care for the newborn after delivery.
Obstetrics nurses may work in a variety of settings, including doctor’s offices, clinics, hospitals, and birthing centers. The work setting influences the types of duties for which an obstetrics nurse is responsible. State practice laws also determine the scope of practice permitted for obstetric nurses.
Since obstetrics nurses who are working in birthing centers or the hospital setting may care for more than one patient at a time, they have many responsibilities and priorities to balance. Such care includes caring for both the mother and baby and providing support for the patient’s significant other. Obstetrics nurses have specialized training to spot potential complications before, during, and after delivery and to intervene quickly and appropriately as needed. Obstetric nurses may also provide coaching and one-on-one support to help the patient with pain management throughout the labor process. They may also be responsible for the care of the newborn after delivery.
The duties of an obstetrics nurse may include:
Providing patient education related to family planning, fertility, pregnancy, and childbirth
Obtaining patient history
Performing assessments on both the mother and fetus throughout pregnancy
Admitting patients who are in labor into the hospital or birthing center
Assessing and monitoring the status of the mother and baby
Monitoring contractions
Administering medications
Inserting intravenous lines and catheters
Performing various procedures—such as vaginal exams to assess cervical dilation
Operating and monitoring medical equipment
Assisting the physician or midwife
Assisting in the operating room if cesarean delivery is required
Educating and coaching patients
Providing emotional support
Providing postpartum and newborn care
How Much Does an Obstetrics (OB) Nurse Make Per Year?
According to salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for registered nurses was $77,600 in May 2021—with half of nurses earning more than that amount and half earning less. Wages of nurses in the lowest 10 percent were less than $59,450. Wages of nurses in the highest 10 percent were over $120,250.
The BLS does not provide a pay breakdown according to specialty but does provide median annual wages for registered nurses according to general categories of work location. Since most obstetrics nurses care for patients in doctor’s offices, clinics, hospitals, and birthing centers, the following BLS pay ranges reported for May 2021 may apply, depending upon the obstetric nurse’s employer:
General medical and surgical hospitals: $85,020
Offices of physicians: $73,860
Outpatient care centers: $93,070
The salary of an obstetrics nurse is also influenced by factors such as education, experience, and geographical region of the country.
Obstetrics nurses may work in various types of settings, including doctor’s offices, clinics, hospitals, and birthing centers. Those who work in offices and clinics typically work regular hours during weekdays, though some locations may also be open on Saturday. Offices and clinics are usually closed on major holidays. Since hospitals and birthing centers are open 24/7, obstetrics nurses who work in those locations may be required to rotate shifts, including weekends and holidays.
How Do I Become an Obstetrics (OB) Nurse?
Since obstetrics nurses are registered nurses, they must attend an accredited nursing program that leads to a bachelor’s degree in nursing or an associate’s degree in nursing.
RNs must also be licensed in the state in which they work. Licensure can be obtained by passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and meeting any additional requirements of the state’s board of nursing. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) offers a resource to determine state-based nursing licensure requirements.
An obstetrics nurse can also obtain specialty certification by meeting eligibility requirements and taking the exam to become certified in Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB®). According to the National Certification Corporation (NCC), the exam “tests specialty knowledge and the application of that knowledge for licensed registered nurses in the US and Canada with a minimum of two years of specialty experience in providing care to hospitalized pregnant women during the antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum and newborn periods.”
Although certification is voluntary, it demonstrates that an obstetrics nurse possesses a unique level of specialty expertise based on a standardized body of knowledge. In addition to ensuring patients, families, and colleagues of a nurse’s abilities, specialty certification may also lead to higher pay and open the door to additional career opportunities.
What Is the Difference Between an Obstetrics (OB) Nurse and a Labor and Delivery (L&D) Nurse?
Although the roles and duties of obstetrics nurses and labor and delivery (L&D) nurses may overlap, obstetrics nurses care for patients before, during, and immediately after their pregnancy under the direction and supervision of an obstetrician. Such care may be provided in a variety of settings, including the physician’s office or clinic, as well as a hospital or birthing center.
However, a labor and delivery (L&D) nurse supports expectant parents and newborns—as well as other healthcare professionals, such as obstetricians and nurse midwives—in the hospital or birthing center before, during, and after birth.
What Are the Benefits of Being an Obstetrics (OB) Nurse?
There are many benefits to being an obstetrics nurse, including the ability to provide education, care, and support for women and their family members during what is typically a joyful time in their lives.
Additionally, since obstetrics nurses work in a variety of settings, there are more options available for those who prefer to work in an office or clinic rather than an inpatient unit in the hospital or in a birthing center. Both options have their perks. Obstetrics nurses who work in offices and clinics can count on fairly regular hours during the week that usually don’t include evenings, nights, and holidays. On the flip side, obstetrics nurses who work in hospitals and birthing centers may earn a higher wage and get to care for mothers during labor and delivery, which is typically a highly rewarding experience.
Additional Resources About Becoming an Obstetrics (OB) Nurse
To learn more about becoming an obstetrics nurse, these additional resources may help:
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