How to Become a Postpartum Nurse
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Postpartum nurses care for mothers and infants from after birth until they are discharged from the hospital. They play a vital role in ensuring that the mother and baby are healthy and helping prepare the family to take care of their newborn.
Explore how to become a postpartum nurse, salary and career trends, and typical job responsibilities.
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
What Is a Postpartum Nurse?
Postpartum nurses are healthcare professionals who monitor the mother and infant’s vitals and look for signs of complications. They also help bathe the newborn, dispense any needed medications, guide the mother through breastfeeding, and check incisions. They provide psychological support for new mothers and educate them on how to care for a newborn.
Postpartum nurses must be familiar with the many physical and psychological conditions that can affect a mother, including signs of postpartum depression. This job comes with significant responsibilities and requires expertise in practical nursing, teaching, and communication.
Postpartum nurses typically work in hospitals, often in the maternity or women’s health departments and birthing centers. These nurses require extensive training and education to provide safe, quality care to mothers and infants.
Steps to Becoming a Postpartum Nurse
The first step in how to become a postpartum nurse is to earn a nursing degree and pass the NCLEX-RN, although specific requirements may vary by state. Many employers also require postpartum nurses to be certified in basic life support (BLS) or advanced cardiac life support (ACLS).
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Earn an ADN or BSN Degree From an Accredited Program
An associate degree in nursing (ADN) typically takes about two years to complete, while a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) takes about four years. Because postpartum nurses have such a high level of responsibility, many employers require or prefer a BSN degree. Nurses with an ADN and nursing experience can often save time by enrolling in an RN-to-BSN program, which takes approximately one year. If you have a bachelor’s in a non-nursing field, you can enroll in an accelerated BSN program, which takes about 18 months to complete.
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Pass the NCLEX Exam to Receive RN Licensure
The NCLEX-RN is a multi-hour, multiple-choice exam. It covers every nursing school topic, including practical nursing skills, patient communications, and legal and ethical aspects of nursing.
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Gain Experience in Maternal and Postpartum Nursing
Once you receive your RN license, you can start working in a maternity department. As an entry-level nurse, you will receive extensive on-the-job training in caring for mothers and newborns.
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Consider Pursuing Maternal Newborn Nursing Certification
Nurses can validate their knowledge and experience by earning a specialty board certification. Once you have at least two years and 2,000 hours of experience in postpartum nursing, you can apply for the National Certification Corporation’s (NCC) certification in maternal newborn nursing.
Postpartum Nurse Education
If you hold no degree and want to become a postpartum nurse quickly, an ADN program is the fastest path. A BSN degree may be a better choice for a deeper level of training or to pursue more responsibility or more advanced nursing specializations. Accelerated BSN programs are available for postgraduate students.
ADN Degree
An ADN degree covers basic nursing skills and knowledge. Many learners choose this path because it is the fastest route to a license, and ADN programs are often easier to get into than BSN programs. This program meets the minimum eligibility requirements for the NCLEX and RN licensure. However, many employers may require or strongly prefer a BSN.
- Admission Requirements: High school diploma or GED certificate, math and science courses
- Program Curriculum: Practical nursing skills, the healthcare system, hygiene, communications, legal and ethical aspects of nursing
- Time to Complete: Two years
- Skills Learned: Understanding and carrying out patient care plans; administering medication and other treatments; monitoring patients and administering tests or taking samples; wound care; updating medical records.
BSN Degree
A BSN has several benefits compared to an ADN. It covers the same topics but in more depth, with additional courses in the theory of nursing, public health, and nurse leadership. A BSN is the minimum degree for a master’s program, making it a great option for those wanting to become advanced practice nurses.
- Admission Requirements: High school diploma or GED certificate; typically a 3.0 GPA
- Program Curriculum: Nursing theory and practice, public health, practical nursing skills, communications, legal and ethical aspects of nursing
- Time to Complete: Four years (accelerated, 11-18 month BSNs are available for learners who already hold a bachelor’s in a non-nursing discipline)
- Skills Learned: Nursing leadership, advanced topics in understanding and carrying out provider treatment prescriptions; administering medication and other treatments; monitoring patients and administering tests or taking samples; wound care; updating medical records
Postpartum Nurse Licensure and Certification
After earning your nursing degree and passing the NCLEX-RN, you must apply for a state nursing license. An RN license is essential for this career, and an APRN license can expand your opportunities. Be sure to follow your state’s license renewal requirements to keep your RN license active.
After obtaining at least two years and 2,000 hours of experience as a postpartum nurse, you can apply for the NCC‘s certification in maternal and newborn nursing. You must have the required experience, a current and unencumbered license, experience in postpartum nursing during the most recent 24 months, and a passing score on the certification examination. While certification isn’t mandatory, it can highlight your specialization expertise and may raise your salary.
Working as a Postpartum Nurse
You can find a job as a postpartum nurse by searching for positions at hospitals or birthing centers. Hospital positions may involve collaborating with other departments, such as a neonatal intensive care unit, when necessary. Some postpartum nurses work for public health or other government offices and specialize in home health visits, especially for high-risk cases.
Postpartum nurse’s salaries average above $90,000 annually. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for all RNs is $94,480.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Postpartum Nurse
It takes 2-4 years to become a postpartum nurse, depending on your goals. The minimum educational requirement is an ADN, which takes at least two years to earn. However, a four-year BSN degree may be more valuable in the long term for career advancement.
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