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What Do Maternal-Child Nurses Do?

Maternal-child nurses are on their feet a lot. Working in a clinic, care facility, or at home with mother and child, a maternal-child nurse may teach parents how to properly handle and bathe their new arrival. You may be asked to supervise nutrition, prepare meals, and sterilize bottles or even medical equipment if necessary. In short, you're a hands-on, advice-giving expert on babies and young children. You may work as an independent consulting nurse or with a maternal-child nurse agency.

Education & Training Required to Become a Maternal-Child Nurse

Begin preparing for your career by completing an RN degree or midwifery program. You'll find online degree programs in nursing offering diplomas, associate's degree, and bachelor's degrees in nursing. While there are no specialized degree programs in maternal-child nursing, once you've earned your RN credential, you can specialize in maternal-child nursing through certification courses or online continuing education classes. Many working nurses prepare for the specialty by undertaking supervised clinical experience in pediatrics or maternity wards.

Typical Characteristics of a Maternal-Child Nurse

You'll need tireless work habits and a love of babies and children to thrive in the maternal-child nursing field. You need to be able to support the physical and emotional needs of women in labor and new mothers. Expect nights, weekends, and overnight care. You should have patience, strong communication skills, and an empathetic nature.

High Demand for Maternal-Child Nurses

Jobs for nurses are expected to increase by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018. Job prospects should be the best for registered nurses with degrees or diplomas and professional licenses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employers will favor nurses with a bachelor's degree, so if you don't already have the four-year degree, you should consider completing an online RN to BSN program. The median annual wage for registered nurses was $62,450 in 2008.