How to become a maternity nurse

How to become a maternity nurse

A nursery nurse is a highly specialised post-natal carers or maternity practitioners, usually live-in to advise on, and carry out a host of duties relating to, the care of newborn babies and their mothers in the first weeks after childbirth. Although not usually qualified nurses, , the role is very demanding as they could be on duty for up to 24 hours a day, several days running.

There are no compulsory qualifications for maternity nurses in the UK but without childcare, paediatric first aid and safeguarding training, candidates are unlikely to find any work. Find our more in the training section here.

Although there is no single route into maternity nursing, practitioners are often nannies who have acquired considerable experience with young babies and in supporting breastfeeding mothers, and who have decided to specialise in their work with newborn infants.

Unlike nannies however, maternity nurses tend to be self-employed and therefore need to register with the HMRC. It is their responsibility to keep up to date with tax and National Insurance payments.

Before starting to practice it is advisable to take out specific maternity-practitioner insurance. This should include public liability cover as standard and take into account that maternity nurses are contracted and paid to care for both mother and baby during the pre and postpartum period, working in and from the child’s home.