How To Become a Postpartum Nurse | Education & Career Guide
Postpartum nurses are nurses who work with patients who have just given birth and new babies. To become a postpartum nurse, you'll need a nursing degree, RN license, and nursing experience.
Postpartum nurses, also called mother-baby nurses, are registered nurses who work with mothers who have just given birth and their new babies. Their job is to care for both mom and infant.
To become a postpartum nurse, you'll first have to become a registered nurse. Keep reading to learn more about the education requirements and other requirements needed to become a postpartum nurse.
How To Become a Postpartum Nurse
Postpartum nurses are registered nurses who work in the postpartum unit of hospitals and birthing centers. Below, we've broken down the steps you'll need to take to become a postpartum nurse.
Earn a Nursing Degree
The first step to becoming a postpartum nurse is to earn a nursing degree from an accredited nursing school. These are available as associate degrees in nursing (ADN) and as Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees.
ADNs typically take two years to earn, while BSNs take four years. Both ADN and BSN programs include coursework, labs, and clinical practice hours.
You must earn one of these degrees in order to obtain your nursing license. Some students earn their ADN, obtain their RN license, and then return to school for an RN to BSN program to finish their bachelor's degree.
Pass the NCLEX and Become an RN
In addition to earning a nursing degree, all states require prospective nurses to pass the National Licensure Council Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The NCLEX-RN is a standardized test that covers multiple facets of nursing knowledge and clinical care.
Additional requirements for licensure vary by state. Some states may require you to pass a background check before you can obtain a license.
Gain Experience in Postpartum Nursing
Once you have your RN license, you'll be ready to work as a registered nurse. Some hospitals may let you work in the postpartum unit right away.
Others require you to have a few years of experience in working with mothers and babies. You can look for positions in departments like:
Pursue a Postpartum Nursing Certification
Holding certification can help you further your career. The most common certification for postpartum nursing is the Maternal Newborn Nursing Certification (RNC-MNN) from the National Certification Corporation.
Once you have 24 months of specialty experience as an RN, including some amount of time spent in postpartum care, you can pursue this certification. You'll need to pass an exam to earn your RNC-MNN.
Consider an MSN or DNP Degree
RNs who want to become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) will need an advanced degree. This can be either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
MSN programs are usually about two years, while DNPs are three or more. DNPs are not currently required for nurse practitioners, but there is a push for nurse practitioners to hold DNP degrees.
APRNs don't usually work in postpartum care. However, you can become a nurse practitioner with a nursing specialty like neonatology, pediatrics, or women's care or become a nurse midwife.
How To Decide Whether Becoming a Postpartum Nurse Is Right for You
It can be hard to determine what career path to take. There are a few things to consider when deciding if becoming a postpartum nurse is for you.
Evaluate Your Skillset and Passions
Postpartum nurses need to be passionate about helping new mothers and their babies navigate their first few days together. They also need to be comfortable with infant care.
In addition to nursing skills, other skills required for postpartum nurses include:
- attention to detail
- communication
- compassion
- critical thinking
- organization
Consider Your Career Goals
If your career goal is to become a postpartum nurse, then deciding to become a postpartum nurse will be easy for you. Other career goals that you can pursue with postpartum nursing as a stepping stone include:
- nurse midwife
- neonatal nurse practitioner
- women's health nurse practitioner
- travel nurse
Speak With a Postpartum Nurse
Speaking with someone who has experience in postpartum nursing can help you determine if this is the right field for you. They can tell you more about what postpartum nurses do and what the job is like from day to day.
This can also help you determine what type of setting you want to work in, like a hospital, birthing center, or private practice. These can all provide very different experiences.
What Is a Postpartum Nurse?
Postpartum nurses take care of mothers and babies after delivery. They help mothers recover, offer newborn care, and provide education. We break down the responsibilities and skills required of postpartum nurses below.
Responsibilities of Postpartum Nurses
Postpartum nurses have multiple responsibilities as they take care of new moms and new babies. These include:
- monitoring vital signs of both mom and baby
- providing wound care for mothers, like checking stitches and incision sites
- watching for postpartum complications, like hemorrhaging
- watching for signs of postpartum depression
- helping new moms with breastfeeding and showing them nursing positions
- providing pain medication
- providing emotional support to new parents
- educating new parents on caring for their newborn baby
- coordinating with other members of the maternity unit like delivery nurses and lactation consultants
Skills Required of Postpartum Nurses
In addition to all the skills required to be a nurse, postpartum nurses need some special skills to take care of moms and babies. These may include:
- changing diapers
- feeding a baby
- holding a baby
- caring for wounds
FAQs About Postpartum Nurses
Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about postpartum nurses
How Many Years Does It Take To Be a Postpartum Nurse?
Landing a postpartum nurse job takes at least two years of nursing education. The rest of the time it takes will depend on how long it takes you to pass the NCLEX-RN, how long it takes you to get a job as a nurse, and how much experience is required before you can work as a postpartum nurse.
How Does Postpartum Nursing Compare With Neonatal Nursing?
Neonatal nurses work in the NICU with infants who were born early or who have other sorts of complications. The primary difference in these nursing careers is that neonatal nurses do not typically provide medical care for new mothers.
Neonatal nurses also need to know how to care for infants with multiple medical conditions. Meanwhile, postpartum nurses usually deal with fairly healthy newborns.
Is It Worth It To Become a Postpartum Nurse?
Only you can determine if it's worth it to become a postpartum nurse. If you have a passion for caring for mothers and babies, it can be very worth it to become a postpartum nurse.
Is It Difficult To Work as a Postpartum Nurse?
There is a lot of joy in postpartum nursing, but there are also things that can make it difficult. However, working as a postpartum nurse is not any more difficult than other types of nursing.