What Do OB/GYNs Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for ob/gyns?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what ob/gyns do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
OB/GYNs Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about ob/gyns by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
OB/GYNs diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process, either independently or as part of a healthcare team. May provide well-woman gynecological care. Must have specialized, graduate nursing education.
Popular Job Titles For OB/GYNs
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Certified Nurse Midwives
- Nurse Midwives
- Certified Nurse Midwives/Women's Health Nurse Practitioners
- Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioners
- Directors of Health and Human Services
- Travel Certified Nurse Midwives
- OB/GYN Physicians
- OB/GYN Registered Nurses
- Professors of Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Bilingual Spanish Customer Service Representatives
- Certified Family Nurse Practitioners
- OB/GYNs
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for ob/gyns can be found.
Best Industries for OB/GYNs
OB/GYNs Jobs By Industry
- Offices of Physicians: 51.9%
- General Medical and Surgical Hospitals: 20.9%
- Outpatient Care Centers: 15%
- Offices of Other Health Practitioners: 5.4%
- Education and Hospitals (Local Government): 2.8%
- Education and Hospitals (State Government): 1.5%
- Other: 2.5%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of ob/gyns can be found working in the Offices of Physicians sector. In 2023, about 51.9% of all jobs for ob/gyns were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (20.9%), Outpatient Care Centers (15%), Offices of Other Health Practitioners (5.4%), Education and Hospitals (Local Government) (2.8%) and Education and Hospitals (State Government) (1.5%).
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Degree Options for OB/GYNs
- 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 Do OB/GYNs Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what ob/gyns do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work ob/gyns do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that ob/gyns tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for ob/gyns, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's OB/GYNs
Based on 2,512 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for OB/GYNs
| 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/GYNs
| 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/gyns, 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/gyns, 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% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for OB/GYNs
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Nurse Midwives | 5,720 | 83.9% |
| Nurse Midwives | 829 | 12.2% |
| Certified Nurse Midwives/Women's Health Nurse Practitioners | 48 | 0.7% |
| Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioners | 70 | 1% |
| Directors of Health and Human Services | 5 | 0.1% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was certified nurse midwives, with 2,066 unique job postings. Nurse midwives were second, with 31 postings, followed by certified nurse midwives/women's health nurse practitioners, advanced practice nurse practitioners and directors of health and human services.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to ob/gyns.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Nurse Midwives | 5,720 | 83.9% |
| Nurse Midwives | 829 | 12.2% |
| Certified Nurse Midwives/Women's Health Nurse Practitioners | 48 | 0.7% |
| Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioners | 70 | 1% |
| Directors of Health and Human Services | 5 | 0.1% |
| Travel Certified Nurse Midwives | 6 | 0.1% |
| OB/GYN Physicians | 9 | 0.1% |
| OB/GYN Registered Nurses | 15 | 0.2% |
| Professors of Obstetrics and Gynecology | 6 | 0.1% |
| Bilingual Spanish Customer Service Representatives | 11 | 0.2% |
| Certified Family Nurse Practitioners | 2 | 0% |
| OB/GYNs | 4 | 0.1% |
| Advanced Practice Nurses | 1 | 0% |
| Certified Professional Midwives | 89 | 1.3% |
| Family Medicine Nurse Practitioners | 1 | 0% |
| Midwives | 3 | 0% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for ob/gyns? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for ob/gyns.
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