OB/GYN Physicians: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of ob/gyn physicians about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for ob/gyn physicians to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of ob/gyn physicians expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for ob/gyn physicians.
What Education & Experience is Needed for OB/GYN Physicians?
Do ob/gyn physicians need a degree? What kind of experience do ob/gyn physicians typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for ob/gyn physicians to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for OB/GYN Physicians
Jobs Postings for OB/GYN Physicians By Education
- No Education Listed: 1,316 (47%)
- Master's degree: 1,022 (37%)
- Bachelor's degree: 233 (8%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 144 (5%)
- High School or GED: 56 (2%)
No education was listed by most employers of ob/gyn physicians. According to job data, no education was required for 47% of positions. In 37% of job listings a master's degree was required and in 8% of postings a bachelor's degree was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for OB/GYN Physicians
Jobs Postings for OB/GYN Physicians By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 312 (28%)
- 2-3 Years: 674 (61%)
- 4-6 Years: 121 (11%)
- 7-9 Years: 1 (0%)
- 10+ Years: 1 (0%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for ob/gyn physicians. In 61% of job postings for OB/GYN Physicians, employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience. In 28% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience, while 4-6 years of experience was sought in 11% of job postings for ob/gyn physicians.
What Kind of Degree Do OB/GYN Physicians Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for ob/gyn physicians, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 5 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective ob/gyn physicians, and in 2023 a total of 254,678 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective ob/gyn physicians.
Top Degree Programs for OB/GYN Physicians
Top 5 Degree Programs for OB/GYN Physicians (2023)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. | 250,462 |
| Nursing Science. | 3,542 |
| Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery. | 538 |
| Alternative and Complementary Medical Support Services, Other. | 70 |
| Direct Entry Midwifery. | 66 |
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for OB/GYN Physicians
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 24
- Accreditation: CCNE
Build on your nursing knowledge and experiences with our online degree-completion program.
- Class Type: Online coursework
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: CCNE
Learn and practice the skills you need to play a pivotal role in creating progressive healthcare programs, systems and processes that result in high-quality, affordable care for everyone.
- Class Type: Online coursework
- Years To Complete: 3-4
Unleash your potential by completing the online FNP Certificate program that readies you for an advanced role in nursing.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 24
- Accreditation: CCNE
Expand your scope of practice as an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, and become an expert in healthcare delivery for adolescents, adults and geriatric patients.
- Class Type: Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 27
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
- Class Type: Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 27
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Realize your potential to impact healthcare with an accredited degree that blends nursing theory, advanced practice concepts and research.
- Class Type: Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 18
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
- Class Type: Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 16
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Broaden your knowledge and your practice as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner equipped to provide a holistic approach toward healthcare.
- Months To Complete: 28
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
- Months To Complete: 24
- Accreditation: CCNE
Build on your Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or diploma in nursing with a streamlined path to the M.S. in Nursing.
- Class Type: Online coursework
- Months To Complete: 16-30
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do OB/GYN Physicians Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by ob/gyn physicians to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for ob/gyn physicians, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's OB/GYN Physicians
Based on 2,512 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for OB/GYN Physicians
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Midwifery | 1,688 | 67% |
| Obstetrics And Gynaecology | 1,242 | 49% |
| Gynecology | 1,211 | 48% |
| Postpartum Care | 1,028 | 41% |
| Nursing | 937 | 37% |
Top 5 Common Skills for OB/GYN Physicians
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Management | 632 | 25% |
| Communication | 421 | 17% |
| Research | 313 | 12% |
| Teaching | 255 | 10% |
| Leadership | 183 | 7% |
Based on 2,512 job postings related to ob/gyn physicians, midwifery was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 67% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for obstetrics and gynaecology, gynecology, postpartum care, nursing and intrapartum were also highly sought.
As for common skills, management was the most desired skill found in job postings for ob/gyn physicians, followed by communication, research, teaching, leadership and writing.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Midwifery | 1,688 | 67% |
| Obstetrics And Gynaecology | 1,242 | 49% |
| Gynecology | 1,211 | 48% |
| Postpartum Care | 1,028 | 41% |
| Nursing | 937 | 37% |
| Intrapartum | 683 | 27% |
| Family Planning | 497 | 20% |
| Medical Records | 487 | 19% |
| Childbirth | 392 | 16% |
| Medical Ultrasonography | 347 | 14% |
| Cardiotocography | 295 | 12% |
| Patient Education And Counseling | 242 | 10% |
| Pap Tests | 219 | 9% |
| Cesarean Section | 207 | 8% |
| Pelvic Examination | 205 | 8% |
| Clinical Experience | 200 | 8% |
| Triage | 189 | 8% |
| Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) | 186 | 7% |
| Clinical Practices | 170 | 7% |
| Social History Records | 167 | 7% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Management | 632 | 25% |
| Communication | 421 | 17% |
| Research | 313 | 12% |
| Teaching | 255 | 10% |
| Leadership | 183 | 7% |
| Writing | 164 | 7% |
| Decision Making | 161 | 6% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 135 | 5% |
| Spanish Language | 101 | 4% |
| Planning | 95 | 4% |
| Quality Assurance | 95 | 4% |
| Coordinating | 94 | 4% |
| Customer Service | 93 | 4% |
| Critical Thinking | 88 | 4% |
| Ethical Standards And Conduct | 79 | 3% |
| Problem Solving | 75 | 3% |
| Computer Literacy | 71 | 3% |
| Innovation | 71 | 3% |
| Lifting Ability | 70 | 3% |
| Compassion | 69 | 3% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about ob/gyn physicians? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for ob/gyn physicians.
What do ob/gyn physicians do?
How much do ob/gyn physicians make?
All Occupations
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