How to Become a Perinatal Nurse

Nurses’ concerns about rising premature birth and high-risk pregnancy rates have driven the need for registered nurses (RNs) with perinatal training. Perinatal nurses play an important role in caring for pregnant patients and their infants, from the earliest stages of pregnancy to immediately after birth.

If you want to use your nursing training to provide essential care before, during, and after childbirth, check out this guide to becoming a perinatal nurse for information about education, salary, and work settings.

Perinatal nurses care for patients and newborns throughout pregnancy and immediately after delivery. They monitor patients for potential complications and educate patients and their families about prenatal care and what to expect after childbirth.

Becoming a perinatal nurse requires a valid RN license and either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree. They most often find employment in hospital maternity wards, OB/GYN offices, or in home healthcare settings working with physicians, certified nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners.

Becoming a perinatal nurse requires a two-year or four-year nursing degree and a passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN) to get a state license. Each state nursing board establishes its own guidelines for licensure and certification.

Students interested in becoming a perinatal nurse must graduate from an accredited nursing program and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to qualify for licensure. A two-year ADN degree offers the quickest path to this career.

All RNs, including perinatal nurses, must get licensure through the nursing board in the state where they intend to practice. While each state establishes its own RN license renewal requirements, nurses typically need to complete at least 25 board-approved hours of continuing education to renew their license.

Perinatal nurses who get voluntary certifications can boost their employment prospects and salary potential. The certifications available from the NCC in inpatient obstetric nursing and maternal newborn nursing require a current RN license, passing an exam, and at least 2,000 clinical hours in the specialty area. Certification must be renewed every three years.

Perinatal nurses who choose to earn an MSN or doctor of nursing practice degree to become certified as APRNs can earn much higher salaries than RNs without graduate training.

Students and recent graduates interested in perinatal nursing careers should try to gain experience through clinical placements or internships in hospital maternity wards, OB/GYN offices, or in home health environments.

Perinatal nurse duties vary by employment setting. RNs in maternity wards typically assist with births and newborn care and educate new parents or guardians about infant care. Perinatal nurses who work in OB/GYN offices develop birth plans and help pregnant individuals understand what to expect during pregnancy and labor.

A growing number of hospitals offer perinatal nurse home visits for postpartum patients and newborns recently discharged from care. Nurses may also find employment with independent home health agencies who specialize in caring for pregnant, postpartum, newborn, and premature patients. During home visits, perinatal nurses check patient health status, answer questions, and teach family members about newborn care.

Whatever the work setting, perinatal nurses can expect competitive salaries and expanding job prospects.According to Payscale in July 2022, RNs in this nursing role earn an average base salary of $68,710 annually, above the national average for all occupations. Graduate-trained nurse practitioners, including those with perinatal specialties, earn between $83,000 and $128,000 a year.

You can become a perinatal nurse after 2-4 years of nursing school. It takes two years to complete an ADN or four years for a BSN. Some perinatal positions may require certification, which usually takes two additional years of clinical experience.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticsprojects RN employment, including perinatal nursing jobs, to increase by 9% between 2020 and 2030. The demand for perinatal nurses will continue to grow as the general public and the healthcare industry recognizes the vital role they play in helping to reduce premature births and high-risk pregnancies.

Nursing programs require high GPAs, demanding coursework in math and natural science, and challenging clinical rotations. Students in accelerated RN-to-BSN programs face even more stress, especially if working full time while enrolled in classes. The most successful students develop good time management skills, efficient study habits, and a positive attitude about the possibilities ahead.

According to Payscale in July 2022, perinatal nurses can earn between $48,000 and $96,000 annually, depending on the type of employer and experience. Perinatal nurses can increase their pay by earning advanced degrees, getting certifications, and moving into managerial and leadership positions.

Page last reviewed July 18, 2022