How long does it take to become a labor and delivery nurse?

At least two years of post-secondary education are required to become a labor and delivery nurse. However, most of these nurses come to the field from general medical or surgical nursing backgrounds.

Depending on the job position desired, nursing candidates can choose to get an associate degree, which takes two years, a hospital-based diploma program at three years or a bachelor's degree, which takes about four years. A labor and delivery nurse must also have training in neonatal resuscitation and fetal monitoring. Labor and delivery nurses can gain specialization certification after working in labor and delivery two years and passing exams.