nursing ( from the American Nurses Credentialing Center [ ANCC ]), years of experience , location ( state and urban vs . rural settings ), and whether the position is inpatient or outpatient .
Ease of Transitioning Between Specialties : Many new nurses in the perinatal field start their careers in mother-baby units or well-baby nurseries . This allows them to develop essential nursing skills and competencies in caring for healthy patients and their newborns . As they gain experience , they can handle more complex cases and may cross-train in labor and delivery or high-risk units . Seasoned practitioners often advance to roles like preceptor or charge nurse , demonstrating their command of knowledge and skills .
Competition for Positions : Securing a position in women ’ s health , obstetric , or neonatal nursing was challenging before the COVID-19 pandemic . Now , with increasing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality rates , new graduate nurses and relatively new nurses are finding it easier to obtain positions . Employers consider education and experience , but they also value professional passion , development efforts , and effective communication skills .
Specialty Areas in Perinatal Nursing
The perinatal field covers several specialty areas . Explore the right one for you .
Women ’ s Health Nursing : Women ’ s health nursing is a diverse field focusing on the medical care of women across the lifespan . As a women ’ s health nurse , you might find yourself working in hospitals , outpatient offices , or community settings . In hospitals , women ’ s health nurses care for patients undergoing medical or surgical treatments for gynecological conditions affecting the reproductive system . This includes care for conditions involving the breast , uterus , ovaries , fallopian tubes , vagina , and vulva , as well as providing gender-affirming care and cancer treatment .
In outpatient settings , women ’ s health nurses work with healthcare providers , including physicians , nurse practitioners , and nurse midwives . You might work in obstetrician-gynecologist ( OB / GYN ) offices , gynecologic cancer clinics , infertility and reproductive health offices , and facilities providing care for abortion care , contraceptive services , gender affirming care and prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections .
Obstetric Nursing : Obstetric nurses specialize in caring for pregnant individuals and their infants . As an obstetric nurse , you would work primarily in hospital settings , including antepartum , labor and delivery , postpartum , highrisk obstetric , and emergency obstetric units . Antepartum nurses care for patients with complications during pregnancy , labor and delivery nurses support families during childbirth , and postpartum nurses ensure the health and education of families after birth .
High-risk obstetric nurses focus on pregnant individuals with severe complications , striving for safe outcomes for both the patient and the infant . Emergency obstetric nurses provide rapid assessments and interventions to prevent and treat urgent conditions . Obstetric nurses can also work in outpatient OB / GYN offices .
Neonatal Nursing : Neonatal nurses primarily work in hospitals on units such as well-baby nurseries , mother-baby units , and neonatal intensive care units ( NICUs ). In this specialty , you would provide care to newborns and educate parents on infant care . Neonatal nurses may also work in community settings , offering home care visits , lactation support , and prenatal childbirth classes .
Preparing for a Career in Perinatal Nursing
Below are some of the several steps you can take to position yourself as a good candidate for a role in perinatal nursing .
n Capstone Experiences : Many nursing programs offer precepted capstone experiences in the final year , allowing students to choose a specialty and train alongside an experienced preceptor .
n Nurse Residency Programs : Hospital systems often provide new nurse residency programs in specialty areas , offering education , support , and mentorship .
n Professional Organizations : Joining the Association of Women ’ s Health , Obstetric , and Neonatal Nurses ( AWHONN ) can be
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