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OB nursing is an advanced nursing practice that involves many duties. From assisting with the delivery of babies to caring for a pregnant woman's family during and after labor, an OB nurse is present throughout most of the childbirth process. Men and women who seek a career in OB nursing are those who enjoy being around babies and experiencing the miracle of birth. This is one of the most emotionally rewarding areas of the nursing profession.
The duties of an OB nurse are varied. Most work in a hospital setting where they care for women in triage who are in labor or who are experiencing problems that could lead to labor. An OB nurse will also be present to care for a mother once she is admitted for labor and when the baby is being delivered. Even the care of a laboring mother's attending family will fall under jurisdiction of an OB nurse. Perhaps the most rewarding part of this position is assisting with a mother's newborn baby. As liaison between mother and nursery, OB nurses are charged with nurturing newborns in their first days of life.
It goes without saying that potential OB nurses should be those who enjoy the presence of babies. OB nurses are often the most compassionate and nurturing of medical professionals. An advanced degree in nursing is required to attain this position and the starting salary is above the national average. Due to the shortage of nursing professionals in the United States, OB nurses are expected to earn even more in the projected future. This is an exciting career that offers great emotional and financial rewards.