3 Responses to “Do I have to take special classes to become an RN maternity nurse?”  

1. 1 Jill Nov 21st, 2009 at 4:50 am

   No. Your RN program will include education and clinical rotations in maternal/newborn nursing, and you’ll likely have an L&D observation. As another answer mentioned you will usually have the opportunity / requirement to have a preceptorship or perhaps a summer nursing internship and you can express your interest in that specialty but most places cannot guarantee placement, as that is generally a high-interest area desired by many students.

   You might be able to get hired as a new grad, especially if you had an internship / preceptorship in the specialty, and are very persistent with your applications for jobs, starting several months before graduation. Otherwise, you might just have to work in med/surg or some other area. Med/surg is great experience that gives you a good foundation of skills that carry over to all specialties.

   Once you are hired into maternal/newborn or L&D your really intensive education comes during your education. You got the basics in nursing school, your facility and educators and preceptors will provide you with so much more. You will be required to get NRP certified – Neonatal Resuscitation Program – and may be required to hold ACLS if you are in L&D and do surgery, etc., but any of these extra certifications are provided by your employer to you as part of your training.

2. 2 Mother M Nov 21st, 2009 at 4:50 am

   nothing special initially. Take the classes and get your RN. When you do your preceptorships, if you have opportunities for elective rotations, request more time in maternity. Seek out opportunities to spend time in maternity departments.

3. 3 Shana B Nov 21st, 2009 at 4:50 am

   You learn all about it in nursing school, so just get your RN and then apply for a job there. Usually they want you to have at least one year of medical/surgical nursing, but some places will take new grads on the postpartum unit.

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