Mother-baby nurses, also known as postpartum nurses, help care for the new moms and the more than 3.6 million babies who are born in the United States every year. Among their duties, these nurses monitor the mother and baby, check the couplet for complications, provide breastfeeding and lactation education, and perform postpartum and newborn assessments, working with the larger healthcare team in the mother & baby unit (MBU).
You can explore mother-baby nurse jobs on a full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, or per diem basis. Find the latest opportunities in your area today on IntelyCare.
Mother-Baby Nurse Education and Skills
To pursue a career as a mother-baby nurse, you need to earn a nursing degree from an accredited program — either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN). Then you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a licensed RN. It’s possible to work in the MBU as a licensed practical nurse, though employers may prefer to hire only registered nurses.
In addition to your education, you may need to obtain the following:
- Basic life support (BLS)
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
- International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
- S.T.A.B.L.E.
Mother/Baby Nurse Resume and Cover Letter
A strong postpartum nurse resume will show an employer that your skills and experience are aligned with the demands of the job. To do this, review the job posting and take note of the language used. For instance, if the duties mention “helping mom and baby with skin-to-skin bonding and breastfeeding,” feature that phrase in your resume.
Use your cover letter to emphasize the value you’d bring to the job. Is the employer seeking someone who can collaborate with multidisciplinary team members? Tell a story in your cover letter that shows how you’ve done this in the past.
Interviewing for Mother-Baby Nursing Jobs
As a mother-baby nurse, you’re very hands-on, so it’s important to have patience, compassion, and excellent communication skills. A job interview is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate these traits to a potential employer. To help you feel better prepared, review common nursing interview questions and answers and practice your replies.
Mother & Baby Nurse Salary
The median salary for a mother-baby nurse is around $81,000 per year. Keep in mind that this figure is affected by your level of experience, location, facility type, and employer. For a better picture of the salaries in your area, view the latest jobs on IntelyCare.
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