A Day in the Life of a Labor & Delivery Nurse: Salary & Education

Question
I am a sophmore in High School and i was wondering if you could tell me the normal day in a labor and delivery nurse shoes! Mabye tell me a liitle bit ablout salary and education. Thanks

Answer
Hello Jessica,
I loved being a labor nurse!  A normal day would consist of getting sign out on the current women in their various stages of labor and getting your assignment for the day.  Most days you would start with one or two women and follow them through until they birthed.  You give them labor support to help them cope better, make suggestions such as changing positions and using the tub to increase their comfort or make their labor more effective.  You keep the family informed and help her support people with suggestions. You might start an IV or administer medication or assist with the placement of an epidural.  As her labor progresses, you keep the birth attendant apprised of her progress and any changes in her vital signs or in the baby's heart rate.  When she becomes completely dilated and ready to push, you help her into a good position and encourage her.  When the baby is born, you help assess the baby as well as the mom.  Then you carefully assess her immediately after the birth for 1-2 hours for bleeding and vital signs.  Depending on where you work and how busy the day is, you could do this 2 or 3 more times!!  
I haven't actually been a labor nurse for almost 17 years and so I unfortunately don't know the salary ranges of RN's these days.  You can be a labor nurse with an associates degree (2 years) or a bachelor's or master's (4 years or advanced degree).

It is truly an amazing job...lots of hard work but the rewards are priceless and you get to witness a miracle everyday!!!

Good luck to you!
Vicki