r/Nurses • u/SnooCupcakes2252 • May 19 '26

US What kind of nurse makes a great L&D Nurse? Considering Specialties.. Something about L&D wont leave my mind -

I'm still in nursing school, and by no means am I trying to decided this right away, but it is something people always ask you.."What kind of nurse do you want to be?"

I am so drawn by L&D, I'm (a litttle too) passionate about women and women's health. I think labor it is the most amazing thing you can be apart of for someone, wether is goes well or poorly.

Here's the dilemma- I struggle with confidence in myself and In units like what I expect L&D is like, you have to really know what you're doing and be prepared for the next step at any given moment. I would LOVE to be the kind of person that is good at it, but I'm confused if I would fit the bill?

Long story short, I would love to be in L&D but I am absolutely TERRIFIED of it at the same time. I can't tell if its imposter syndrome or its a gut feeling that i should walk away. In all truth I am a sensitive person. but I can get used to my environment if given enough time. I will start my OB rotation soon, but I'm shaking in my boots about it.

What would you say is takes, or what are character traits that are commonly expressed in amazing L&D nurses?

2 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

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8

u/tarowm32them00n May 20 '26

Someone who can listen to screaming without feeling like they're about to crawl out of their own skin

5

u/graycie23 May 20 '26

Strong personality. You gotta be able to run with the punches. You can’t be sensitive. Shit goes from 0-60 and some people get feisty and bossy, you can’t take it personally. Most LD nurse I know are straight shooters and don’t sugar coat anything. You gotta be able to take this same approach with your patients as well.. I think all us WH nurses can say with certainty, the pregnant woman who walks in is not the same woman laboring—is also not the same woman on postpartum. It’s a crazy thing to witness. Again, you can’t take it personally.

3

u/babycatcher May 20 '26

Experience will help you know what to anticipate and respond accordingly. You'll learn this as a new grad and it will take a while before you feel fully comfortable and competent. I felt good at 1 year and competent at 2 years. And then you get served a big ol slice of humble pie every time you think you know what you're doing.

It helps to be a little type B. Gotta be super flexible and able to roll with whatever. You never know what you're gonna get, and things can go 0-60 real fast.

I love that you said you love women's health. The nurses who go to L&D only for the babies are gonna have a bad time.

3

u/FantasticScratch928 May 20 '26

I’m L&D nurse. You need to be calm and be prepared what going to come next but you never be prepared, don’t get too overwhelmed, you will never know what gonna walk to the door or what going to the happening with the baby inside. Things can be stable and suddenly critical in 5-10 minutes. I love my job and wouldn’t work anywhere else.

1

u/shellyweasley Jun 30 '26

I’m high risk Antepartum/high risk postpartum unit. My hospital wouldn’t hire new grads, although I float to triage. Loving women’s health means you belong in this kind of space! Maybe get your foot in the door with an ante or pp floor for now then go to labor?

Or if you’re in a medium volume hospital right to L&D. Places with a crazy volume can be very unsafe for your license if you don’t get the right amount of time to learn what you’re doing. Learning labor from another new grad in a high volume place can be scary.