If you have always dreamed of helping expectant parents deliver their children into the world, then maybe a career as a maternity nurse is right for you. In different areas of the United States, or even different hospitals, maternity nurses are also called labor and delivery nurses. Labor and delivery nurses and maternity nurses preform exactly the same duties as one another, but have different titles.
The stability in the healthcare industry is because of the rising number of people needing care. Deciding to become a part of it is one of the smartest moves you can make, as you will be able to find a job no matter where you are. Becoming a nurse is one of the most stable healthcare jobs you can get, due to the nursing shortage. You can find many excellent programs online, or in person to become a nurse.
Here are the steps for how to become a maternity nurse:
- Know the duties of a maternity nurse. A maternity nurse is a Registered Nurse (RN) who is stationed at the maternity ward of a hospital. He or she is responsible for assisting the doctor in the delivery of babies, giving pain medication to the would-be mother, monitoring the patient’s vital signs, in addition to other postpartum care. They are also responsible for helping the mother and father keep their birth how they want it—keeping unwanted friends and family out of the room.
- Know if you have what it takes for the nursing profession. First of all, it’s important to do some self-assessment to determine if you’re naturally inclined toward becoming a nurse. A nurse works long and high-pressure hours, so it’s important for them to have stamina and to be able to think on their feet. A nurse should also have good interpersonal skills, and a genuine interest in caring for others.
- Graduate from high school. It’s best to start your nurse training as early as high school by taking courses and electives in biology, chemistry and physics. During high school, you may also want to volunteer at local hospitals so you can know more about what it takes to become part of the healthcare field.
- Know your options for your undergraduate degree. Generally, the most qualified and highest-paid nurses are those who obtained a four-year bachelor’s degree in registered nursing at a good college or university. There are, however, other routes toward becoming a Registered Nurse (RN)—the most popular one is to obtain a two-year associate’s degree in nursing at a community college. Registered nursing jobs are fairly easy to find if you have the right training. You might also be interested in becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) instead of an RN. An LPN is a lower position, and they usually work under the supervision of an RN. To become an LPN, you will need to undergo one- to two-year diploma training at an accredited nursing school.
During this time, you will undergo training in the basics and principles of administering care to patients, as well as subjects such as anatomy and pharmacology. The Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree offers extensive training on the theoretical as well as technical aspects of nursing, while the associate's degree focuses more on the technical, hands-on aspects.
There are also a lot of program offerings that allow you to go from one degree to another: for example, RN to BSN programs, RN to MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) programs, and LPN to BSN programs. There are also educational opportunities offered through online training. - Get licensed as an RN or an LPN. Find out the specific requirements for being qualified to take the licensure exam in your region. In the U.S., the exams for qualifying students to practice nursing are the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN examinations. The school you train under should help you fulfill the requirements to take either test. Obtain experience as a general nurse at a hospital. It is very important for nurse employment to obtain hands-on experience in the field, so before you apply as a maternity nurse, you may need to first experience at least one year of general nursing duties at a hospital. This will also train you so you are better able to handle postpartum complications should they arise in your next level of nursing as a maternity nurse.
- Get additional training to be a maternity nurse. To obtain a specialization, you should take continuing education units (CEUs). While most of your training is given on the job and by experience every year, you are required to take CEUs in order to renew your nursing license. Try taking courses that are geared towards maternal and fetal health and medicine.
As more and more babies are being born every year, the need for maternity nurses is on the rise. The average salary for a maternity nurse is largely dependent on location, and hospital size. LPNs make an average of $40,000 annually while RNs make $55,000.