There are a variety of educational paths that one can take to become a maternity nurse. The more training a nurse receives, the more job opportunities become available, which is something to keep in mind when planning a nursing education. Maternity nurses work in hospitals and clinics, as well as providing home care to their patients.
The maternity nurse’s job is to look after pregnant, laboring, and postpartum women. Some maternity nurses specialize in one area of care, such as assisting women in getting ready for delivery, monitoring women during labor, or providing post-partum education. Teaching birthing classes, providing community outreach for women preparing to give birth, and assisting staff in a labor and delivery ward are all options for a maternity nurse.
To be admitted to practice as a maternity nurse, all educational paths require attending school and passing a licensure exam. A diploma program, which usually lasts three years, is one option. A two-year program to become a registered nurse is also available (RN). Many maternity nurses have a four-year nursing degree, and some registered nurses (RNs) go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing to improve their employability. In all cases, passing an exam to become a maternity nurse is still required after completing the training.
The nursing exam is designed to ensure a standard level of competency by testing applicants on basic nursing principles. A good nursing program will usually prepare nurses for the exam by combining coursework and clinical experience, which is designed to give students hands-on experience applying what they’ve learned. It is also possible to enroll in classes designed specifically to help students prepare for the maternity nurse licensing exam, which will provide test-taking tips and other helpful hints to make the exam less stressful.
A nurse’s education does not end once she is licensed to practice. A skilled maternity nurse will take advantage of opportunities for continuing education. Many nurses are members of professional associations. Continuing nursing education is usually required to keep a nursing license after graduation and licensure, and exceeding the continuing education requirements shows that a nurse is dedicated to the job and is interested in constant improvement and the opportunity to provide more skilled nursing care. Continuing education also allows someone who wants to work as a maternity nurse to stay up to date on new nursing standards and practices.