OB Nursing: Do You Have What It Takes?

• Oh baby! Wondering what it takes to get involved in obstetric (OB) nursing? 
• From nursing school, passing licensure exams, and earning certifications, the road to a career in OB nursing is not an easy one.  
• Want to learn more? We’ve got you covered!  

OB Nursing: What Will I Be Doing?

Are you passionate about helping women throughout all stages of pregnancy? Comfortable with assisting in providing pelvic and various other assessments?

Do you have an interest in continuously learning and educating patients on the best fertility treatments and practices?

Then a career in OB nursing might be the one for you!

Of course, the questions listed above are only but a fraction of the work that comes with a position in this field, however, they are essential.

City College lists a few of the daily tasks an OB nurse must complete regularly, check them out:

• Prenatal screenings
• Utilizing equipment to monitor fetal heart rate and contractions with frequent updates to the physician
• Delivery preparation
• Labor coaching
• Assessing the baby minutes after birth for adequate vital body functions
• Monitoring and managing complications due to pregnancy and delivery
• Assessing C-section incision site
• Administering pain medication
• Monitoring swelling and bleeding

Although this is a condensed version, it is no question that OB nursing is an essential part of a mother’s pregnancy journey and delivery experience.

Education and Skills: Do I Have What It Takes?

If you’re still here, you must have some interest in OB nursing, and that’s great!

Here is what you will need to accomplish in order to begin a career in OB nursing, let’s dive in.

Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

This is pretty standard, especially if you are looking to go into a specialized role.

2. Pass the NCLEX-RN Examination.

The dreaded NCLEX, one of a nursing student’s biggest stressors.

There are various study materials out there to help a student be as prepared for this exam as possible! If this is you, be sure to check them out!

3. Gain some hands-on, clinical experience.

As a new grad RN, it might be difficult to immediately jump into an OB nursing job, but it is possible!

However, experts at All Nursing Schools state that it is also likely that most facilities will want providers with prior clinical experience, so do not get discouraged if an OB position is not your first gig out of school.

4. Start your career!

And just like that, the time has come and you are ready for your first OB nursing job!

Practice interview questions, thoroughly read the job description, and prove that you are the best nurse for this role. You’ve got this!

Where Can I Work? What’s the Salary Like?

For a nurse looking to start a career in OB nursing, there are many places that you can work!

Here are just a few examples:

• Hospitals
• Pregnancy or family planning clinics
• Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) physician’s office
• Private practices
• Birthing and midwife centers

According to online job resource, ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for an OB nurse is $96,935!

Of course, this will vary depending on the environment you are in, plus your experience beforehand, but this is a great salary to work with!

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