Interested in a hands-on healthcare career? Would you like to help new mothers through every part of the process, from preconception to postpartum?
Consider becoming an OB/GYN nurse. In this article, we'll take a look at what OB/GYN nurses do and the steps you can take to become one.
What Does an OB/GYN Nurse Do?
OB/GYN nurses care for obstetric and gynecologic patients. This includes pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and women with reproductive issues.
OB/GYN nurses work primarily with midwives, obstetricians, and gynecologists, performing supportive care tasks and duties.
Their job mainly focuses on assisting with deliveries and providing care to mother and baby both before and after the delivery.
Other job duties may include:
- Conducting patient assessments during pregnancy
- Providing pain management and coaching during labor
- Monitoring newborns' vital signs
- Counseling new mothers on personal care and bonding
- Administering pain medications as needed
Depending on their place of employment, they may work long and irregular hours, often including nights, weekends, and holidays. They may be on call to assist with deliveries at any time.
What Skills Do OB/GYN Nurses Have?
OB/GYN nurses have a solid understanding of a woman's reproductive system and processes. They must be able to accurately identify various stages of labor and provide appropriate care and support.
They must be excellent communicators, as they work closely with other health professionals and provide guidance and emotional support to patients. Good interpersonal skills are also a must.
They must be compassionate, empathetic, and caring. They must also be emotionally stable to be able to help those going through difficult pregnancies or gynecological issues.
Finally, they must have a strong grasp of various technical skills, including the ability to use fetal monitoring equipment, perform cervical exams, and administer medications.
So, do you have what it takes to become an OB/GYN nurse? Follow the steps below:
1. Obtain an ADN or BSN
To become an OB/GYN nurse, you must first complete a training course to become an RN. There are various pathways you can follow to complete this training.
Many aspiring nurses obtain an associate degree in nursing, or ADN. These programs usually take about two years to complete.
Many employers prefer candidates who have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or BSN. This degree typically takes about four years to complete.
These are the two most common educational pathways for anyone who wants to become an OB/GYN nurse.
2. Consider Obtaining a Master's Degree
Obtaining a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) isn't generally required to become an OB/GYN nurse, but doing so has its benefits.
First, having a master's degree can make you a more desirable job candidate. It can also help you pursue management or leadership roles as a nurse later on in your career.
Finally, it broadens your career options. For example, if you hope to become a midwife, a nurse practitioner, or some other advanced nursing professional, a master's degree may be required.
Obtaining a master's degree typically takes two to three years if you are studying full-time.
3. Pass the NCLEX Exam
Before you can begin practicing as a nurse, you need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX.
This comprehensive national exam tests you on your general knowledge of nursing practices and procedures.
Once you successfully pass the exam, you will be considered a registered nurse and can begin looking for entry-level nursing jobs.
4. Gain Work Experience
This is perhaps the most important step in becoming an OB/GYN nurse. You will need to gain practical, real-life experience as a nurse.
Some RNs are immediately hired as OB/GYN nurses, but many begin in other departments and transfer to OB/GYN after they have worked as a nurse for a few years.
So, the important thing here is to gain experience as a nurse. If you have opportunities to assist with deliveries or care for mothers and babies, learn all you can from these experiences.
Be patient during this time and focus on becoming the best-registered nurse you can be. Eventually, your hard work will pay off and you'll be able to move into an OB/GYN role.
5. Consider Becoming Certified
Once you have worked as an OB/GYN nurse for some time, you may want to consider pursuing an optional certification.
For example, you can pursue the NCC credential in inpatient obstetric nursing from the National Certification Corporation. This credential requires at least 2,000 hours of OB/GYN work experience.
To obtain this certification, you will need to pass an exam. Again, this is not a requirement to work as an OB/GYN nurse, but it can help you land a better job and qualify you for higher-level positions.
Become an OB/GYN Nurse Today
OB/GYN nurses specialize in caring for new mothers and infants throughout the pregnancy and postpartum periods. To pursue this career, follow the steps outlined in this article.
