Labor and Delivery RN job description.
A Labor and Delivery RN provides direct nursing care to patients during labor, delivery, and immediate postpartum recovery. They monitor maternal and fetal status, assist physicians and midwives during birth, and respond quickly to obstetric emergencies. The role requires strong clinical judgment, comfort with high-acuity situations, and close collaboration with the broader maternity care team to support safe outcomes for parent and newborn.
The Labor and Delivery RN job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 9 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Labor and Delivery RN Reports to: Labor and Delivery Nurse Manager
A Labor and Delivery RN provides direct nursing care to patients during labor, delivery, and immediate postpartum recovery. They monitor maternal and fetal status, assist physicians and midwives during birth, and respond quickly to obstetric emergencies. The role requires strong clinical judgment, comfort with high-acuity situations, and close collaboration with the broader maternity care team to support safe outcomes for parent and newborn.
- Monitor fetal heart rate and maternal vital signs throughout labor
- Administer medications, IV fluids, and epidural support per physician orders
- Assist physicians and certified nurse-midwives during vaginal and cesarean deliveries
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
9 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
5 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
6 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Labor and Delivery Nurse Manager
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Monitor fetal heart rate and maternal vital signs throughout labor
- Administer medications, IV fluids, and epidural support per physician orders
- Assist physicians and certified nurse-midwives during vaginal and cesarean deliveries
- Recognize and respond to signs of obstetric complications or fetal distress
- Provide immediate newborn assessment and support skin-to-skin bonding
- Educate patients and families on labor progress, pain management, and postpartum recovery
- Document labor progression, interventions, and outcomes in the electronic medical record
- Coordinate care transitions with postpartum, NICU, and anesthesia teams
- Maintain sterile technique and adhere to infection-control protocols during deliveries
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Active Registered Nurse (RN) licensure as required by state and employer
- Current BLS and NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) certification
- ACLS certification or willingness to obtain within a defined onboarding period
- Clinical experience in labor and delivery, maternity, or a related acute-care unit
- Strong knowledge of fetal monitoring and obstetric emergency protocols
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Specialty certification such as RNC-OB
- Experience with high-risk obstetric or NICU patient populations
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Labor and Delivery RN job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Labor and Delivery RN job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Labor and Delivery Nurse Manager) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- What certifications should a Labor and Delivery RN have before starting?
- Most employers require active RN licensure, current BLS, and NRP certification, with ACLS often required or expected soon after hire.
- How is a Labor and Delivery RN different from a general Med-Surg RN?
- L&D RNs specialize in intrapartum and immediate postpartum care, including fetal monitoring and obstetric emergencies, which requires additional unit-specific training beyond general nursing.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Midwife
A Midwife provides prenatal, labor, delivery, and postpartum care to patients, supporting low-risk pregnancies and coordinating with physicians for complications requiring escalation.
Pediatric Registered Nurse
A Pediatric Registered Nurse delivers nursing care to infants, children, and adolescents in hospital, clinic, or outpatient settings.
ICU Registered Nurse
An ICU Registered Nurse delivers critical care nursing to patients with life-threatening conditions in the intensive care unit.
This Labor and Delivery RN job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.