What are the pros and cons of being an OB/GYN?

The pros of being an OB/GYN are competitive pay and rewarding work, while the cons are lots of required schooling and stressful conditions. Here is a more detailed look at the pros and cons of being an OB/GYN:

What degree do you need to be an OB/GYN nurse?

You need an ADN or BSN to eventually work as an OB/GYN nurse. In addition to one of the aforementioned degrees, candidates must pass a national test and amass hours of experience in the field.

How To Become An Ob/Gyn: What It Is and Career Path

What is an ob/gyn and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

OB/GYN is the short form for obstetrician/gynecologist. They are doctors who specialize in women's healthcare. They diagnose, treat, and prevent medical conditions that affect women. Similarly, they provide medical counsel and support to expecting mothers throughout their pregnancies, childbirth, and postpartum. Asides from that, they perform various tests, including pap smears, pelvic and breast exams. Additionally, they diagnose and prescribe treatments for disorders and diseases. Likewise, they conduct routine check-ups on patients. Furthermore, they educate patients about disease prevention, detection, and reproductive health.

To start a career in this role, you must complete extensive education and training requirements. You must obtain a doctor of medicine and complete four years of OB/GYN residency. Likewise, you must possess a board certification and a state license. You must be trustworthy, compassionate, and a good communicator. The average salary of an OB/GYN is $292,601, with the range falling between $253,801 and $352,101.

ScoreOb/GynUS Average

Salary

7.4

Avg. Salary $94,663

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

10.0

Growth Rate 6%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.44%

Asian 9.30%

Black or African American 11.04%

Hispanic or Latino 9.21%

Unknown 4.28%

White 65.73%

Gender

female 85.15%

male 14.85%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress Level

10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

9.1

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

7.8

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an ob/gyn

Explore ob/gyn education requirements

Most common ob/gyn degrees

Bachelor's

33.5 %

Associate

24.1 %

Certificate

11.4 %

Start to develop specific ob/gyn skills

Skills	Percentages
OB	19.51%
GYN	17.37%
Patients	17.23%
Obstetrics	7.41%
Surgery	4.61%

Complete relevant ob/gyn training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New ob/gyns learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an ob/gyn based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real ob/gyn resumes.

Gain additional ob/gyn certifications

Ob/gyn certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific ob/gyn certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for ob/gyns include Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) and Obstetrics and Gynecology.

More About Certifications

Research ob/gyn duties and responsibilities

Manage patient files by making new charts, keying all encounters through ICD-9 coding procedures and posting in patient database.
Recognize and manage maternal complications: hemorrhage, preeclampsia, endometritis.
Demonstrate clinical competency and compassion in providing care, using technology, performing procedures and managing emergencies.
Work in many different specialties including: family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, podiatry, OB/GYN, and cardiology.

Prepare your ob/gyn resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your ob/gyn resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an ob/gyn resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Ob/Gyn Resume templates

Build a professional Ob/Gyn resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Ob/Gyn resume.

Apply for ob/gyn jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an ob/gyn job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do ob/gyns rate their job?