If you’re passionate about supporting families through one of life’s most powerful moments, and you’re up for a little adventure along the way, a career as a travel labor and delivery nurse might just be your calling. This guide breaks down what labor and delivery (L&D) nurses do, how to launch your career, and how to take your skills on the road with travel labor and delivery jobs across the country.
What is a Labor and Delivery Nurse?
A labor and delivery nurse is a specialized registered nurse who plays a key role in childbirth. These nurses are part of a close-knit team caring for patients during a physically and emotionally intense time. They bring a mix of clinical skill, empathy, and clear communication to help families feel supported through every stage of labor and delivery.
What Does a Labor and Delivery Nurse Do?
L&D nurses are there for the highs, the hurdles, and the heartbeat of birth. They support mothers and babies before, during, and after delivery, providing emotional care, monitoring health, managing medications, and guiding families through it all. They’re also the calm in the storm, trained to respond to complications or emergencies, and assisting with all types of deliveries (vaginal, breech, or cesarean).
Typical responsibilities include:
- Monitoring contractions and vital signs of mother and baby
- Starting IV lines, helping induce labor, and administering medications
- Assisting during C-sections
- Educating and emotionally supporting families throughout the process
- Anticipating and managing complications, like preeclampsia or postpartum hemorrhage
Labor and delivery nurses work in hospitals, birthing centers, and, on occasion, assist with home births.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse?
Starting a labor and delivery nurse career involves several steps:
- Education: Start by earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN, about 2 years) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN, about 4 years). While both are acceptable, a BSN is often preferred by employers and may open more doors for L&D jobs.
- Licensure: Then, pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a licensed registered nurse (RN).
- Clinical Experience: Most hospitals require at least one to two years of bedside experience before working in labor and delivery. Some nurses start in postpartum or mother-baby units before transitioning to L&D from there.
- Specialty Training: If possible, complete L&D clinical rotations or a residency program to build your confidence and skills in this area.
For a full breakdown on how to become an RN, check out this page: Everything You Need to Know About Being an RN.
How to Become a Travel Labor and Delivery Nurse
Once you have your education, certification, and experience in place, here’s how to take the leap into travel work:
- Update Your Resume: Highlight your L&D credentials, specialties, and adaptability. Experience with high-risk pregnancies or neonatal care is a plus.
- Connect with Travel Staffing Agencies: Research reputable agencies that support you with licensing, housing, and assignment selection. Not sure what style of travel agency is best for you? Find one that meets your needs, listens to what you want, and supports you the way you want to be supported. Your chosen agency will match you with a recruiter who will guide you step-by-step through starting a travel career.
- Apply for Additional State Licenses: You’ll need to be licensed in any state you plan to work. Speak with your chosen agency; they usually offer licensing support and reimbursements.
- Stay Flexible: Be open to different locations, shifts, and facility types. This flexibility increases your chances of landing desirable assignments and gaining varied experience.
- Maintain Certifications: Stay current on continuing education requirements and keep all credentials up to date between assignments.
*Note: Most travel agencies require at least one to two years of recent L&D experience before you can qualify for travel assignments.
What to Expect as a Travel L&D Nurse
Travel labor and delivery nurses take temporary, short-term assignments at hospitals and birthing centers across the country. Whether it’s due to staffing shortages or seasonal surges, these roles are in high demand. As a travel nurse, you’ll do the same vital work as permanent staff but need the ability to adapt quickly to new teams, protocols, and patient populations.
Assignments typically last 8–13 weeks, with the flexibility to choose locations and schedules that suit your lifestyle. Pay can be a big perk, too. Travel L&D nurses often earn weekly rates ranging from $1,400 to $4,000 per week, depending on location and experience.
Labor and Delivery Nurse Certifications
Certifications are a smart way to strengthen your resume and stand out in travel labor and delivery jobs. Here are the ones most employers commonly look for:
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
- Fetal Heart Monitoring (and optionally, Certification in Electronic Fetal Monitoring – C-EFM)
- Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB): Highly recommended after two years in the specialty.
- Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN)
- Low-Risk Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-LRN)
Common FAQs for First-Time L&D Travel Nurses
Q: Where can I find travel healthcare jobs?
Medical Solutions has open travel and permanent healthcare assignments nationwide in a variety of specialties and shifts. You can search our extensive database of positions by specialty, title, and location here. You can also sign up for our jobs email at the bottom of this page, which sends you available jobs in your specialty.
Q: How long does it take to get a travel nursing assignment?
Once you have interviewed for the position and both you and the facility decide to move forward, it typically takes one to six weeks, depending on when you are available and the start date of the assignment. Your recruiter will typically begin presenting new assignments to you about 30 days from the end of your current assignment.
Q: How do I secure housing as a travel nurse?
With Medical Solutions, your housing is paid, private, and fully furnished! Unlike some companies, you are not required to share housing. Our housing team will find you the best housing available, focusing on drive time, safety, and security. We handle all the arrangements for you, including furnishings and utilities. All you need to do is show up. Of course, if you prefer to pick something on your own or stay with friends or family, you will be offered a housing stipend.
Turn Your Passion Into a Travel Labor and Delivery Nurse Career
Skilled labor and delivery nurses are in demand across the country. With the right experience, certifications, and a spirit of flexibility, you can build a rewarding travel career that grows with you.
Ready to dive into a career that moves with you? Medical Solutions can connect you with high-demand travel and permanent labor and delivery jobs that fit your lifestyle, support your goals, and take you where you’re needed most.
