The first step in becoming an OB nurse is to obtain either an associate's or a bachelor's degree in nursing. You will need to have a degree in general nursing before you can specialize as an OB nurse. Obtaining a degree also requires that you complete general education courses. General education courses provide you with foundational studies in a variety of disciplines. Not all of these courses will be directly related to nursing, but some will provide you with other needed skills for the workforce. Courses will include studies in English, history, speech and communication, and perhaps sociology.
Courses more directly related to nursing will include those in math and the sciences. Many undergraduate nursing programs require you to complete courses in microbiology, organic chemistry, anatomy and physiology, and basic chemistry. Depending on the nursing school you choose, you may have to complete these courses before being formally accepted into the nursing program.
Beyond the general education courses and basic science courses considered foundational to the nursing practice, you will have to complete additional core courses in nursing during your junior and senior years of school. Courses of study during the remainder of the nursing program generally fall into one of three categories: nursing professionalism courses, introductory courses in various clinical specialties and other courses related to the nursing field. Examples of professionalism courses might include studies in nursing fundamentals, nursing theory and nursing leadership. Courses related to nursing that might also be required include courses in biostatistics and general health promotion in diverse populations. Courses reflective of the various clinical specialties available to nurses can include studies in obstetrics and gynecology, gerontology, mental health nursing and pediatric nursing.
Once you have completed either an associate's or a bachelor's degree, you can move on to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with an obstetrics or women's health specialization. If you have obtained an associate's degree in nursing, you have two options. You can finish your bachelor's degree before moving on to a master's degree program, or you can find a school that offers a bridge master's degree program which allows you to go directly from an associate's degree to a master's degree program under certain stipulations. You will usually need to complete various prerequisites that you may have missed by not completing a bachelor's degree and will need to be a licensed practicing nurse with several years of experience. Regardless of which path you choose, once you reach the master's level, you will need to complete courses in assessment and symptom management, nurse-midwifery, care for the various stages of pregnancy, disease prevention, health promotion and clinical pharmacology.