Maternity Nurse Job Description
A maternity nurse provides care and advice for pregnant women throughout the whole phase of pregnancy and after childbirth. They monitor and care for newborn babies and provide education for new mothers in the first 28 days following childbirth.
Other People Are Reading
-
Job Description
-
A maternity nurse may work as part of a team within a hospital or within a community healthcare setting. Throughout a woman's pregnancy it is the role of the midwife to monitor the progress of the baby and to ensure that it remains healthy. They can deliver babies alone, providing there are no complications. If complications do arise they will need to call an obstetrician. Other activities carried out by a midwife include providing counseling following childbirth, advice on breast feeding and bathing and training and supervising junior staff members.
Qualifications
-
To become a maternity nurse you will need to be a registered nurse. This will involve completing either a bachelor's degree or an associated degree in nursing, or a diploma in nursing. Once qualified a nurse must then complete and pass midwifery school. In 2010 these schools were only available in 11 states throughout the US according to State University. Following this, a nurse will then have to go on to pass a licensing exam in order to practice as a fully licensed midwife.
-
Conditions
-
Maternity nurses can work in a variety of different settings from hospitals to doctor's offices to clinics and medical facilities. When not involved in the birthing procedure they may see patients in their own offices or in the patient's home. A maternity nurse should be calm under pressure and be able to help patients deal with pain and anxiety. They should also be able to make decisions quickly and decisively to ensure the wellbeing of the mother and child.
Career Developments
-
A maternity nurse can move in a number of different directions once she has gained experience and knowledge. There is the possibility of moving on to become a clinical specialist in areas such as home birthing, breast feeding or ante-natal screening. There is also the possibility to become a consultant maternity nurse, or to move into higher management as the head of a maternity nurse service with a local supervising authority. Some even move into education taking on lecturing and research roles in universities.
Earnings
-
According to State University, the average salary of a maternity nurse in 2008 was $76,400. This salary varies, however, depending on when where the nurse works, her experience within the role, and the geography or city she works in. Benefits normally include paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance, paid tuition and a pension plan.
-
References
- Photo Credit girl with new born baby image by Anatoly Tiplyashin from Fotolia.com
