The path to becoming a postpartum nurse starts with earning a nursing degree, either an associate's or a bachelor's degree in nursing. Once the degree is completed, prospective nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to gain licensure as a registered nurse (RN). After earning your RN license, gaining clinical experience in obstetric or neonatal nursing is highly recommended. From there, nurses can pursue further specialization and additional certifications in post partum care.

Gaining patient care experience in a clinical setting is beneficial. It is recommended that travel nurses have 12-18 months of hospital-based RN experience in their field. Specific positions experience qualifications could be longer depending on the facility.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for registered nurses, including postpartum nurses, was $73,300 as of May 2019. However, the average pay for postpartum nurses can vary based on several factors, including their level of experience, education, geographical location, and the size and type of the healthcare facility in which they work. For instance, nurses with specialized certifications or extensive experience may command higher salaries.

Yes! Along with certifications like basic life support, postpartum nurses often pursue specialized certifications to enhance their skills and knowledge in the field of maternal and newborn care. Inpatient Obstetric Nursing (RNC-OB), offered by the National Certification Corporation (NCC), validates a nurse's skills and proficiency in caring for women during their antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum periods. Maternal Newborn Nursing (RNC-MNN), also offered by NCC, demonstrates a nurse's competence in providing care for newborns and their mothers just after birth. Certified Mother-Baby Nurse (C-MBN), provided by the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board (MSNCB), validates a nurse's knowledge and expertise in mother-baby nursing during the immediate postpartum period.

A postpartum travel nurse may also choose to become a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) offered by the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice. It validates a nurse's proficiency in breastfeeding management support for new mothers. You can also pursue certification in the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), a globally recognized initiative designed to equip health care professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively handle emergency situations during the neonatal phase.

Postpartum nurses have employment opportunities across a variety of types of healthcare systems including hospitals, particularly those with maternity wards or birthing centers. Additionally, positions can be found in private obstetrician/gynecologist offices, family clinics, and outpatient care centers. Some postpartum nurses may also work in community health services, providing essential education and care to patients in underserved areas.

Most commonly travel nurse interviews happen through phone calls because of time constraints and cost to the facility for bringing people in to meet face-to-face. Fusion and other agencies try to get as much information as possible on the jobs daily tasks and environment so you know what you are stepping into before your start date. The phone interview is a great time to get any additional details that you might have so that you can be confident and comfortable with the job, should it be the right fit for you.

Working as a postpartum travel registered nurse is beneficial because it exposes you to different regional nursing procedures and patient populations, provide the opportunity to explore new specialties, and gain experience learning a new clinical environment quickly.