What are the pros and cons of being a labor and delivery nurse?

Pros:

• Competitive Benefits. Labor and delivery nurses make more than the average salary of a career in the United States. Along with that, they also tend to have good benefits such as medical coverage, life insurance, retirement funds, and paid time off.

• Rewarding Work. It can be extremely rewarding to help bring life into the world. You see extremely happy times and you help aid in creating new families. This can be extremely satisfying work.

• Work Wardrobe. If deciding what you are going to wear daily is something that is difficult for you, nursing could be a great option. You wear a uniform of scrubs daily, which makes getting dressed easy.

Cons

• Long Shifts. Many hospitals work on a 12-hour schedule, which while extremely beneficial for patient care, can be difficult for the staff. This can also be difficult for staff who have families, as they may go days without seeing them.

• Emotional Burnout. Working with babies, birth, and mothers can be rewarding, but it can also be stressful. Pregnancies can have complications, and mothers may be put into positions where difficult decisions are made. That can be extremely stressful.