The work environments and responsibilities of maternity nurses vary greatly based on certification level and training: Maternity nurses employed by hospitals typically work extended shifts that cover nights, weekends and holidays. Read our, How To Become a Maternity Nurse in 5 Steps. Throughout the labor and delivery period, they keep a close eye on the mothers blood pressure, fetal heartbeat, contraction patterns, and other vital signs. This can be helpful because maternity wards are different and may require unique skills and approaches. The LPN curriculum strongly resembles Year 1 of an associate degree in nursing (ADN) program and includes courses in: Learn the basic skills needed to care for acutely ill patients in a hospital setting. You must consult your own medical professional. Most nursing students complete clinical rotations in labor and delivery, but the experience isnt nearly enough to prepare them for work in the field. These characteristics may help mothers feel calmer during delivery, enabling them to concentrate on birthing. As experts in the care of women and children, maternity nurses can be found in any setting that provides reproductive health services, including hospitals, schools, doctors offices, outpatient clinics and patients homes. For example, you can earn your associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing to work as a registered nurse, or you may choose to pursue a master's degree to become an APRN or nurse-midwife. Experienced maternity nurses may advance to leadership positions in patient care, public health or health care administration. All nurses will need to maintain the appropriate number of continuing education classes each year and avoid sanctions to keep their license active. In this article, we discuss what a maternity nurse is and what they do, review some foundational skills for those in this role, provide steps to become a maternity nurse and examine the average salary and job outlook. Graduating from an ACEN-accredited program is desirable if you plan to continue your education at the masters or doctoral level. Others will offer on-the-job training to nurses who are new to the maternity setting. Sharp observation and critical-thinking skills can allow them to respond quickly and appropriately to a patient's questions, discomfort and any problems that arise. And they may also take care of patients who have had a miscarriage or aborted a pregnancy. For maternity nurses, this usually means becoming a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) or certified nurse midwife (CNM). Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, National Association of Practical Nurse Education and Services, LPNs tend to play a supporting role in labor and delivery settings by monitoring vital signs, assisting with procedures and performing administrative tasks, RNs are responsible for planning and delivering patient care in labor and delivery units, operating rooms and nurseries and are the backbone of most maternity units. Below are the abilities needed to be maternity nurse according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 7 being highest). The exam content and licensing process are different for each nursing type. Its essential to choose an LPN program approved by your state board of nursing. Advance practice nurses like nurse midwives can expect to earn $50,310 to $132,270 annually. Others may care for women who are experiencing complications before birth or provide postpartum (after delivery) care. The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers offers a Midwife Sonography Certificate. A maternity nurse who possesses interpersonal skills, like compassion, empathy and patience, can help their patients feel comfortable in their care. Develop the skills needed to safely administer medications. APRNs will need to abide by the practice laws of their state, which vary widely. Where permitted by law, nurses may administer a variety of medications like those used to induce labor or help control pain. Most BSN programs are offered through universities and colleges. Maternity nurses are healthcare professionals who specialize in obstetric nursing. When choosing a diploma program, verify that its approved by your state board of nursing. In order to practice as a CNM, you need to graduate from a program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). A maternity nurse with resiliency may also be better able to care for mothers by encouraging them during the birthing process. Many community colleges and vocational schools offer LPN training. Registered Nurses, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm, Summary Report for Registered Nurses, O*NET OnLine https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1141.00, accessed December 2017. 3 credits. To become an RN, candidates must earn a two-year associates degree or four-year bachelors degree from a state-approved institution. Masters-trained nurses generally assume leadership roles in their hospitals. In addition, both ACEN and CCNE accredit masters level programs. Helps her get set up and comfortable in a hospital or labor room, Monitors the patient's blood pressure and pulse, Checks the patient's cervix for dilation and helps her count contractions, Administers medicine to induce the labor, if necessary (but labor nurses aren't usually qualified to administer epidurals), Medicine may be given using a computerized IV pump or other high-tech delivery system, Reads fetal monitors to gauge how the baby is doing, Assists doctors during the delivery process, Cleans, weighs and checks the newborn baby's vital statistics, Cares for mothers and their newborn infants, and trains mothers in postpartum care; including coaching them on how to breastfeed their newborns. (Rarer, non-degree diploma programs connected to hospitals may be offered in your area as well.) This can make life easier if you later wish to pursue a bachelors or graduate degree. Community colleges, career colleges, and even some high school vocational centers offer training programs in practical nursing. Courses are very to similar to those offered by diploma programs. As a maternity nurse, one sees daily the miracle of new life and the joy it brings families. In many cases, employers will prefer that nurses have 1 to 2 years of medical surgical or other nursing experience before applying for a maternity position. Other desirable credentials for maternity nurses at all levels include: Innerbody Research is the largest home health and wellness guide online, helping over one million visitors each month learn about health products and services. Use descriptive mathematics to design and evaluate healthcare research. Below are the knowledge areas needed to be maternity nurse according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest) and competency level on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being lowest and 7 being highest). National accreditation through one of the following organizations may be helpful if you plan to continue on to graduate school: In addition to taking the same core classes as their ADN counterparts, BSNs receive instruction on advanced procedures, leadership, cultural awareness, ethics, and communication. This process usually involves fingerprinting, completing a background check and paying fees. They also spend some of their time on call, meaning they may be summoned to work on short notice. Innerbody Research does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The care they provide is why some call it "maternal nursing." Below are the work styles involved in being maternity nurse according to their importance on the scale of 1 to 5 (1 being lowest and 5 being highest). Copyright Innerbody Research 1999 - 2022. The setting for maternity nurse jobs varies according to the size of the facility and any specialty care it provides. Your salary may vary depending on your experience, education level and geographical location, as well as the facility you work at and your schedule. ALABAMAMedian Salary:$55,500Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$41,600Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$76,000, 2014-2024 Job Growth:17%Projected Annual Job Openings:1,870, ALASKAMedian Salary:$88,100Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$65,200Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$116,900, 2014-2024 Job Growth:10%Projected Annual Job Openings:190, ARIZONAMedian Salary:$71,500Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$52,400Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$96,100, 2014-2024 Job Growth:22%Projected Annual Job Openings:3,500, ARKANSASMedian Salary:$55,700Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$40,100Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$76,700, 2014-2024 Job Growth:15%Projected Annual Job Openings:870, CALIFORNIAMedian Salary:$100,400Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$64,400Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$147,100, 2014-2024 Job Growth:17%Projected Annual Job Openings:10,470, COLORADOMedian Salary:$68,500Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$51,200Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$95,100, 2014-2024 Job Growth:33%Projected Annual Job Openings:2,350, CONNECTICUTMedian Salary:$76,500Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$55,300Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$100,700, 2014-2024 Job Growth:6%Projected Annual Job Openings:990, DELAWAREMedian Salary:$71,100Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$53,800Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$93,300, 2014-2024 Job Growth:17%Projected Annual Job Openings:420, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIAMedian Salary:$79,600Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$55,300Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$103,800, 2014-2024 Job Growth:11%Projected Annual Job Openings:380, FLORIDAMedian Salary:$62,100Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$46,100Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$82,900, 2014-2024 Job Growth:25%Projected Annual Job Openings:8,110, GEORGIAMedian Salary:$63,100Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$44,200Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$80,900, 2014-2024 Job Growth:20%Projected Annual Job Openings:2,980, HAWAIIMedian Salary:$92,300Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$63,400Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$119,400, 2014-2024 Job Growth:13%Projected Annual Job Openings:400, IDAHOMedian Salary:$61,000Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$44,600Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$78,400, ILLINOISMedian Salary:$67,100Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$45,600Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$99,600, 2014-2024 Job Growth:11%Projected Annual Job Openings:3,970, INDIANAMedian Salary:$57,900Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$41,900Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$78,600, 2014-2024 Job Growth:19%Projected Annual Job Openings:2,510, IOWAMedian Salary:$53,900Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$40,700Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$73,800, 2014-2024 Job Growth:16%Projected Annual Job Openings:1,280, KANSASMedian Salary:$56,300Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$41,700Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$76,600, 2014-2024 Job Growth:8%Projected Annual Job Openings:760, KENTUCKYMedian Salary:$58,000Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$42,600Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$77,000, 2014-2024 Job Growth:36%Projected Annual Job Openings:2,670, LOUISIANAMedian Salary:$59,800Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$42,900Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$83,300, 2014-2024 Job Growth:16%Projected Annual Job Openings:1,910, MAINEMedian Salary:$62,800Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$46,400Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$85,900, 2014-2024 Job Growth:11%Projected Annual Job Openings:510, MARYLANDMedian Salary:$72,100Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$53,400Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$97,500, 2014-2024 Job Growth:20%Projected Annual Job Openings:3,250, MASSACHUSETTSMedian Salary:$83,900Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$55,200Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$135,000, 2014-2024 Job Growth:7%Projected Annual Job Openings:2,490, MICHIGANMedian Salary:$65,800Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$50,600Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$89,400, 2014-2024 Job Growth:12%Projected Annual Job Openings:3,370, MINNESOTAMedian Salary:$72,100Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$49,400Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$98,400, 2014-2024 Job Growth:12%Projected Annual Job Openings:2,010, MISSISSIPPIMedian Salary:$55,600Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$40,200Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$77,500, 2014-2024 Job Growth:14%Projected Annual Job Openings:1,070, MISSOURIMedian Salary:$57,800Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$41,200Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$80,100, 2014-2024 Job Growth:14%Projected Annual Job Openings:2,530, MONTANAMedian Salary:$60,700Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$47,300Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$81,200, 2014-2024 Job Growth:22%Projected Annual Job Openings:450, NEBRASKAMedian Salary:$58,000Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$42,800Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$77,600, 2014-2024 Job Growth:14%Projected Annual Job Openings:840, NEVADAMedian Salary:$81,400Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$58,800Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$104,200, 2014-2024 Job Growth:19%Projected Annual Job Openings:860, NEW HAMPSHIREMedian Salary:$65,400Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$47,100Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$93,000, 2014-2024 Job Growth:15%Projected Annual Job Openings:490, NEW JERSEYMedian Salary:$79,200Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$57,200Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$102,900, 2014-2024 Job Growth:13%Projected Annual Job Openings:3,000, NEW MEXICOMedian Salary:$64,700Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$50,800Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$87,100, 2014-2024 Job Growth:17%Projected Annual Job Openings:660, NEW YORKMedian Salary:$78,000Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$52,300Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$111,100, 2014-2024 Job Growth:17%Projected Annual Job Openings:7,450, NORTH CAROLINAMedian Salary:$58,900Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$43,300Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$79,700, 2014-2024 Job Growth:22%Projected Annual Job Openings:4,190, NORTH DAKOTAMedian Salary:$57,900Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$43,400Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$75,700, 2014-2024 Job Growth:24%Projected Annual Job Openings:400, OHIOMedian Salary:$61,300Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$47,200Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$80,100, 2014-2024 Job Growth:14%Projected Annual Job Openings:4,830, OKLAHOMAMedian Salary:$58,400Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$42,700Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$77,000, 2014-2024 Job Growth:14%Projected Annual Job Openings:1,160, OREGONMedian Salary:$85,200Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$61,000Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$109,000, 2014-2024 Job Growth:15%Projected Annual Job Openings:1,280, PENNSYLVANIAMedian Salary:$65,700Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$47,200Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$93,700, 2014-2024 Job Growth:14%Projected Annual Job Openings:4,890, RHODE ISLANDMedian Salary:$76,300Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$55,400Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$98,000, 2014-2024 Job Growth:12%Projected Annual Job Openings:450, SOUTH CAROLINAMedian Salary:$59,300Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$42,200Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$80,100, 2014-2024 Job Growth:15%Projected Annual Job Openings:1,600, SOUTH DAKOTAMedian Salary:$53,400Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$41,000Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$74,700, 2014-2024 Job Growth:12%Projected Annual Job Openings:420, TENNESSEEMedian Salary:$56,800Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$41,800Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$76,300, 2014-2024 Job Growth:25%Projected Annual Job Openings:2,440, TEXASMedian Salary:$68,600Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$50,100Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$95,000, 2014-2024 Job Growth:31%Projected Annual Job Openings:10,820, UTAHMedian Salary:$59,700Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$44,200Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$79,200, 2014-2024 Job Growth:33%Projected Annual Job Openings:1,150, VERMONTMedian Salary:$62,800Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$47,900Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$91,000, 2014-2024 Job Growth:11%Projected Annual Job Openings:230, VIRGINIAMedian Salary:$63,600Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$43,400Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$90,900, 2014-2024 Job Growth:14%Projected Annual Job Openings:2,380, WASHINGTONMedian Salary:$77,000Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$52,900Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$110,000, 2014-2024 Job Growth:20%Projected Annual Job Openings:2,470, WEST VIRGINIAMedian Salary:$56,700Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$40,500Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$78,400, 2014-2024 Job Growth:8%Projected Annual Job Openings:590, WISCONSINMedian Salary:$65,100Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$49,900Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$90,000, 2014-2024 Job Growth:10%Projected Annual Job Openings:1,860, WYOMINGMedian Salary:$60,800Bottom 10% (Entry Level):$44,000Top 10% (Lots of Experience):$81,000, 2014-2024 Job Growth:20%Projected Annual Job Openings:210.