Steps to Becoming an OBGYN Nurse

<h2 id="section---CareerInformationAtAGlance">Career Information at a Glance</h2> <p>An OBGYN nurse, also known as an obstetrics and gynecology nurse, is a licensed professional who helps women with their reproductive health as well as pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum care. Check out the chart below for more information: </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degree Required</b></td><td>Associate's degree or bachelor's degree</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Education Field of Study</b></td><td>Nursing</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Job Duties</b></td><td>Administer injections; conduct prenatal screenings; manage mammograms; assist in labor and delivery</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Licensure and Certification</b></td><td>RN license; obstetric nursing certification</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Average Salary (2021)</b></td><td>$64,298*</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2020-2030)</b></td><td>9% Growth** (all RNs)</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *Payscale.com, **U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---WhatDoesAnOBGYNNurseDo">What Does an OBGYN Nurse Do?</h3> <p>An OBGYN nurse assists doctors in helping women with reproductive and sexual health issues. OBGYN nurses also work with doctors to care for women in the pre-conception stage to the post-delivery stage of childbirth. Prior to delivery, OBGYN nurses monitor a mother's and unborn child's vital signs. They help during labor and birth by guiding the mother, cleansing the newborn, and ensuring the baby is breathing properly. They also provide support with postpartum care. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatStepsDoINeedToTake">What Steps Do I Need to Take?</h3> <p>First, you need to obtain an associate's degree (ADN) or bachelor's degree (BSN) in nursing from an accredited university and take courses in biology, anatomy, nutrition, chemistry, psychology, microbiology, and physiology. You have the option of pursuing either degree, but many employers are seeking nurses with a minimum of a bachelor's degree. </p> <p>After you have officially graduated from an accredited nursing program, you will have to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to work as a registered nurse (RN). </p> <p>To become specialized as an OBGYN nurse, you will need to work as an RN for two years and earn 2,000 hours of experience in obstetrics. Then you will need to take the Inpatient Obstetric Nursing Certification exam through the National Certification Corporation, and once passed, you are able to start practicing as an OBGYN nurse. </p> <h3 id="section---HowMuchWillIEarnAndWhatAreWorkSchedulesLike">How Much Will I Earn and What Are Work Schedules Like?</h3> <p>According to Payscale.com in 2021, the average salary for an OBGYN nurse is $64,298. Nursing is a 24/7 occupation meaning that there are shifts during all hours depending on what your job requires of you. You could be working weekends, nights, and holidays. However, there are nurses that may have a more consistent work schedule during the week only. </p> <h3 id="section---WhereDoOBGYNNursesWork">Where Do OBGYN Nurses Work?</h3> <p>There are many locations that an OBGYN nurse can work. These nurses work in hospital maternity wards, urgent care clinics, doctor's offices, community clinics, obstetrics and gynecology offices, and midwife practices. The number of nurses in outpatient care centers are meant to have the fastest growing work. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreSomeAlternativeCareers">What Are Some Alternative Careers?</h3> <p>Some similar careers include that of a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or nurse anesthetist. These fields require you to earn a master's degree, and you would be able to provide primary and specialty care for patients. Nurse midwives perform similar tasks to OBGYN nurses by providing care for women throughout the reproductive stages. </p> <p>Becoming a paramedic, respiratory therapist, or even a diagnostic medical sonographer gives you a range of opportunities to help in the healthcare service as well. A diagnostic medical sonographer operates imaging equipment that is used to conduct testing, and a respiratory therapist works with patients that have an injury or life-long breathing problems.</p>