Postpartum Nurse: Career Guide and Overview
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- Postpartum Nurse Career Overview
- Duties and Responsibilities
- Postpartum Nurse Work Settings
- Postpartum Nurse Salary
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Credit: svetikd / E+ / Getty ImagesPostpartum nurses care for new mothers from the time they leave the delivery room until they are discharged home. In addition to caring for newborns and supporting patients and loved ones, postpartum nurses offer education and advocacy to their patients and serve as important members of the larger care team.
This guide provides an overview of this dynamic and rewarding field, including postpartum nurse training pathways, professional roles and responsibilities, postpartum nurse salary data, and career advancement possibilities.
What Is a Postpartum Nurse?
Postpartum nurses care for women and infants in the days immediately following birth. In addition to performing medical care and monitoring for complications in both the patient and baby, they educate and support families during the earliest days of bonding.
Many nursing professionals specialize in the health of women and small children. What makes a postpartum nurse different from other nursing professionals? Labor and delivery nurses assist patients during the birthing process. NICU nurses care for newborns who require additional care or monitoring, while certified nurse-midwives are a type of advanced-practice nurse who deliver babies and provide a range of care to women and children.
Whether a patient is giving birth to their first child or already has several children at home, a postpartum nurse is there to help with recovery after delivery.
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Key Responsibilities
- Monitoring vital signs of mothers and newborns
- Assisting mothers during recovery, including physical assistance and administering medication
- Caring for newborns, including blood draws and first bath
- Assessing mothers for hemorrhage and other risks
- Ensuring bonding between newborns and caregivers
- Educating caregivers
- Providing breastfeeding support and assistance
- Offering emotional support
Key Career Traits
- Building trust with patients and colleagues
- Communicating complex information to families
- Instructing parents on newborn care
- Patient advocacy and empathy
- Ability to remain calm and compassionate, even in times of stress
Where Do Postpartum Nurses Work?
Because they specialize in maternal and newborn care, postpartum nurses typically work in birthing centers or the labor, delivery, and receovery units of hospitals. In hospital settings, these nurses assist new mothers with issues including physical recovery as well as important tasks like breastfeeding or sleep behaviors. Postpartum nurses also monitor the vital signs of postpartum women and newborn babies.
Physician’s offices and community health clinics may also have postpartum nurses on staff to assist with checkups for mothers and babies.
How to Become a Postpartum Nurse
Want to become a postpartum nurse? Here are the steps you’ll need to take.
- Earn a Nursing Degree: Becoming a postpartum nurse begins by becoming a registered nurse (RN). (Licensed practical nurses or LPNs can also work in postpartum and similar settings, although they work under the supervision of RNs and other members of the care team.) Becoming an RN requires a nursing degree, either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) Taking courses in maternal and infant care in nursing school can prepare entry-level RNs for work as postpartum nurses.
- Become a Registered Nurse: ADN and BSN degrees qualify nurses for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) exam. This standardized test evaluates a nursing school graduate’s knowledge and skills. All states require nurses to pass the exam to attain licensure.
- Gain Postpartum Nursing Experience: With an active RN license, nurses can pursue entry-level roles in labor and delivery units. In these roles, nurses gain hands-on experience in postpartum care.
- Pursue Certification: After about two years of experience in the field, postpartum nurses can seek certifications in topics including maternal newborn nursing (RNC-MNN) and neonatal intensive care nursing (RNC-NIC)
- Consider a Graduate Degree: Postpartum nurses can advance their careers with a graduate degree in nursing. Common career paths include training as a nurse-midwife, nurse educator, and advanced practice registered nurse.
Postpartum Nurse Salary Outlook
How much do postpartum nurses earn?
According to June 2024 data from Payscale, postpartum nurses earn $27.67 per hour on average. (Annual salary data not available as of August 2024. This data also does not distinguish between RNs and LPNs, the latter of which tend to earn less than RNs.)
Postpartum RNs who work in labor and delivery units likely earn salaries more in line with those of labor and delivery nurses, who reportedly earn a $34.34 average hourly rate.
Geographic location, work environment, experience, and certifications all influence postpartum nurse salaries.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 6% annual job growth for all RNs between 2022-2032. Although the overall birth rate in the U.S. is declining, about 3.7 million babies are born every year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Postpartum nurses can increase their earning potential, expertise, and professional autonomy by pursuing their master of science in nursing (MSN) degree and subsequently training as a nurse practitioner or certified nurse-midwife.
| Job Title | Average Hourly Rate | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Postpartum Nurse | $27.67 | Unavailable |
| Labor and Delivery Nurse (LPN) | $20.99 | $58,640 |
| Labor and Delivery Nurse (RN) | $34.34 | $73,490 |
| NICU Registered Nurse | $35.73 | $79,410 |
| Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner | $52.27 | $102,370 |
| Certified Nurse-Midwife | $60.42 | $105,750 |
Frequently Asked Questions about Postpartum Nurses
A postpartum nurse cares for new mothers and newborns, typically in the labor and delivery or obstetrics unit of a hospital, or a birthing center. These professionals care for both infants and mothers, monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and educating parents.
Page Last Reviewed: August 19, 2024
