Obstetrics nurse

An obstetrics or OB/GYN Nurse cares for women during pregnancy, labor, childbirth and other reproductive health issues.

Required education

ADN or BSN

Average annual salary

$83,000

Payscale.com (Jan. 2026)

OB/GYN demand

Obstetrics nurses are in demand because certain states with the highest population growth have an increased demand for both doctors and non-physician clinicians, such as obstetric nurses.

Varied

Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.

Patient-facing

Work hands-on, directly with patients.

Structured

Follow a routine that allows you to anticipate and prepare for every situation.

High demand

This specialty is in high demand in the U.S.

What is the role of an obstetrics nurse?

You’ll help women during an incredibly important time in their lives, caring for them from preconception to post-delivery.

What you’ll do as an obstetrics nurse

Assistance

You’ll help with labor and delivery, coaching the mother and providing initial postpartum care, from cleansing to ensuring the newborn can breathe on its own.

Education

You’ll teach women about reproductive and sexual health issues, including fertility treatments, birth control, and how to avoid sexually transmitted diseases.

Examination

You’ll assist doctors in performing prenatal screenings and mammograms.

Preparation

You’ll monitor the mother and fetus’s vital signs prior to delivery.

Treatment

You’ll administer injections and help new mothers manage their pain after labor.

An obstetrics and gynecology nurse comforts a pregnant patient

Where you’ll work as an OB/GYN nurse

Obstetrics nurses work in a variety of settings, including:

Community clinics
Doctors’ offices
Hospital maternity wards
Obstetrics and Gynecology offices
Midwife practices
Urgent care clinics

Why I love being an OB/GYN nurse

Tiffany, BSN, RN, CLC, RNC- MNN, explains why being an obstetrics and gynecology nurse is the best.

Video still of Tiffany Mauhaud in hospital setting

You develop such a strong bond with people because they put so much trust and faith in you to keep them safe and to be the one guiding them through this whole process. It’s a really huge honor that people allow me to take care of them in that way.

Tiffany, BSN, MS, CLC, RNC-MNN

Obstetrics and gynecology nurse

How to become an obstetrics nurse

Get an Associate’s Degrees in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

When considering a future nursing career, it’s important to explore the different nursing programs available and the paths they offer. With various options like associate degree programs, bachelor’s degree programs, and direct-entry master’s degree programs, prospective students can choose the educational path that best suits their goals and interests.

Pass the NCLEX-RN.

The National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) is the all-important step between graduating from nursing school and becoming a nurse. It’s a standardized test, set by the Board of Nursing in each state, that makes sure you have the knowledge and skills you need to work in the field of nursing.

Work as a Registered Nurse for two years, gaining 2,000 hours’ experience in obstetrics.

Pass the Inpatient Obstetric Nursing Certification exam through the National Certification Corporation.

You’re ready to work as an obstetrics nurse!