How to Become an Obstetrics Nurse

Obstetrics nurses provide medical care for women from the time before conception through pregnancy, birth, and the newborn period. To become an obstetrics (OB) nurse, the steps include education, testing, and licensing, after which obstetrics nurses can pursue employment. Below, we’ll detail the steps to follow, how long it takes to become an obstetrics nurse, and where to start.

Become an Obstetrics Nurse in 5 Steps

Obstetrics nursing education provides the knowledge needed to assess and assist mothers before and during pregnancy to ensure the healthiest outcome for mother and baby. State licensing is required to practice as an obstetrics nurse, and specialty certifications highlight experts in this field.

Schooling Requirements for Obstetrics Nurses

Obstetrics nurses can practice with a few different levels of education, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and an Associate Degree in Nursing. However, general healthcare hiring trends favor nurses with a bachelor’s degree.

A survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing found that over 70% of healthcare employers want new nursing hires to hold a BSN. The National Academy of Medicine announced a goal in 2010 for 80% of RNs to hold a BSN degree by the year 2020. By 2020, at least 65% of nurses held BSN degrees, but in 2023, the 2022 National Nursing Workforce Survey reported that number rose above 70%.

Associate Degree in Nursing

An Associate Degree in Nursing, or ADN, is the quickest option to become an obstetrics nurse with no previous university education. ADN degrees can take 18 months to two years to complete and may require some prerequisites before an application can be accepted.

Obstetrics nurses with an ADN may receive lower pay and may not have their first choice of positions compared to an obstetrics nurse with a BSN. However, the nursing shortage ensures a large pool of work for nurses with ADNs.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing gives future nurses a more well-rounded education experience than an ADN. Typically done over four years, the BSN curriculum covers the basics of nursing care and how the body works, but also teaches more specialized critical thinking skills.

A BSN prepares future obstetrics nurses to handle a high level of care. Where an ADN focuses on quickly preparing future nurses for clinical situations, a BSN adds higher-level concepts like evidence-based practice, community health nursing, statistics used in research, nursing management and leadership, health informatics and analysis, healthcare ethics, and nutrition.

Obstetrics Nurse Licensing

Once a new nursing graduate has earned their degree, they must apply for licensure. Obstetrics nurses must apply for a registered nurse license to practice. To become a licensed and practicing nurse in any state, all nursing graduates must pass the state licensing exam (the NCLEX-RN) and apply for a state license.

NCLEX-RN

The National Council Licensure Examination–RN (NCLEX-RN) is a computer-based exam with 85 to 150 questions. The exam takes anywhere from one hour to a maximum of five hours. Questions fall into four basic categories:

1. Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. Psychosocial Integrity
4. Physiological Integrity

Once completed, the state board of nursing sends test results within six weeks, usually by email. In the time leading up to the NCLEX-RN, it’s important for graduates to study practice questions to ensure a passing grade and many students take NCLEX prep courses to increase their likelihood of success.

Registered Nurse State License Application and Renewal

Each state in the U.S. has a unique registered nurse licensing application process. The state board of nursing will want proof of an NCLEX passing result and a diploma from an accredited nursing program. Most states require criminal background checks and fingerprinting, and some may want to see university transcripts.

After initial licensure, RNs must renew their license every two years in most states. Each state has varying requirements on continuing education and other documentation needed for renewal. If an obstetrics nurse wishes to work in a new state, they must apply for a license in that state. However, some states have a “compact” agreement in which one state’s license may be used in other states. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing offers a plethora of information on registered nurse licensing requirements by state.

Specialty Certification

Some obstetrics nurse positions require certifications like Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). Additionally, obstetrics nurses can earn a specialty-specific certification once they have some experience at the bedside. The only available certification for OB nurses is the Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB) offered by the National Certification Corporation.

Where Obstetrics Nurses Work

Obstetrics nurses can work in a few different settings and levels of care. Some typical OB nurse workplaces include:

• Obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) outpatient offices or clinics
• Hospital labor and delivery units
• Private birthing centers
• Midwifery private practices
• Family planning centers
• Urgent care clinics

FAQs: How to Become an Obstetrics Nurse

   1. What education is needed to become an obstetrics nurse?

Obstetrics nurses must graduate with a nursing degree from an accredited college or university. They can pursue a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

   2. How many years does it take to become an obstetrics nurse?

The time it takes to become an obstetrics nurse depends on which degree one pursues, but it may take anywhere from two to four years for an undergraduate degree.

   3. What are the steps to become an obstetrics nurse?

To become an obstetrics nurse, aspiring nurses must apply to and graduate from an accredited nursing school, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for and receive a nursing license in their state. After these steps, they may apply for obstetrics nurse positions and pursue specialty certification and higher education.

   4. How much do obstetrics nurses make an hour?

Obstetrics nurses earn a similar wage to any other registered nurse. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs earn an average of $45.42 per hour, which equals about $94,480 annually. Nurses with an advanced degree will be able to earn more.