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A postpartum, or mother-baby nurse, specializes in caring for mothers and newborns after delivery, but before they go home from the hospital. With a caring demeanor and watchful eye, postpartum nurses help new mothers, infants, and families during the remarkable time of welcoming a new baby.
Does this specialized and heartwarming area of nursing sound like the right fit for you? With millions of infants being born each year, postpartum nurses are in high demand and are needed in every area of the United States. A wide range of postpartum nurse and postpartum travel nurse opportunities are available to you!
Postpartum RNs provide nursing care to several mothers and newborns at a time. In postpartum nursing, a mother and her newborn are often called a “couplet.” Postpartum nurses typically care for up to three couplets each shift, but sometimes more or less, depending on the acuity of their patients.
While the postpartum nurse job description can vary, the primary responsibilities of postpartum nurses include:
In addition to the above, postpartum nurses provide reassurance and comfort to their patients during a transformative time. A skilled postpartum nurse is full of tips, knowledge, and experience that help families feel at ease and cared for.
Postpartum nurses generally work in hospitals. A hospital may have a separate postpartum unit where families are transferred to recover after labor and delivery. Other hospitals may combine labor and delivery and postpartum into one nursing unit.
Postpartum nurses typically work full-time, which consists of three 12-hour shifts per week. Postpartum nurses can also work part-time, PRN, and as travel postpartum nurses for more flexibility.
While postpartum nurses care for women and infants after childbirth, they can see an extensive range of cases and conditions during this time! No shift will ever be the same, and each family's needs will be different.
The first step to becoming a postpartum nurse is earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Once you have a nursing degree, here’s your next move:
There are plenty of opportunities to advance and expand your career as a postpartum nurse. Postpartum nurses with advanced degrees, skills, and certifications are often amongst the highest-paid postpartum nurses, If you choose to further your education and obtain a master’s or doctoral degree, you can become a:
There are plenty of ways to grow your skills in postpartum nursing that don’t always require an advanced degree. Here are a few options that don’t require graduate school:
To work as a postpartum nurse, you will need a nursing degree and a nursing license. Once you have those credentials, here’s what to do next:
Once you have experience in postpartum nursing, you may choose to obtain further certification to show your dedication to your patients and profession. The Registered Nurse Certification- Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN) highlights your professional experience in the care of the childbearing family in both hospital and outpatient settings, from birth to six weeks.
In the United States, postpartum nurses make between $72,000 and $99,000 annually, with the average pay being $80,000 annually. Postpartum nurses with more experience, certifications, advanced degrees, and postpartum travel nurses can earn considerably more.
Postpartum nurse pay also varies by location. Currently, Washington is the state that pays the most for postpartum nurses, followed by Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, and New York.
Don’t forget that Trusted Health’s Travel Nurse Salary Guide is an excellent resource for staying current on the latest travel RN postpartum pay information and more!
