Do you want to work in the medical field and have an interest in helping mothers-to-be? If so, you should consider becoming a maternal and /or neonatal vocational nurse.

As a vocational nurse, you will specialize in caring for newborns and women during the prenatal, postnatal, labor, and delivery stages. You will work under the supervision of doctors and registered nurses, usually in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), maternity wards, and birthing centers. Vocational nurses in these specialties will have a wide range of responsibilities, such as administering medications, monitoring the health of mom and baby, providing education, and assisting with the labor and delivery process.

In addition, you are often tasked with helping family members and offering emotional support. You will play a vital role in ensuring everyone feels safe and comfortable. If this type of nursing is what you want to pursue, learn more about what you can expect on the job to prepare for this career.

What Does a Maternal Vocational Nurse Do?

As a vocational nurse in the material medicine specialty, you will work closely with registered nurses, obstetricians, and other healthcare professionals to deliver high-quality care in numerous settings like maternity wards, clinics, and hospitals. You will work with pregnant women during all phases of their pregnancy.

During the prenatal phase, you will help monitor the fetus’s and the mother’s health. This involves tasks like measuring vital signs, routine check-ups, and assisting with various diagnostic tests, such as blood work and ultrasounds. Vocational nurses often provide guidance and education regarding prenatal care, including exercise and nutrition, and explain why it is essential for pregnant women to attend all of their prenatal appointments. You will also help educate your patients about possible complications and what to do if one occurs.

Once your patients are getting closer to labor, you will offer emotional support, aid them with creating a birth plan, and assist with other preparations. When they are in labor, you will help the doctor by administering medicines, monitoring vital signs, and helping patients with various comfort measures, such as pain management strategies and breathing techniques.

When your patients are in the postpartum phase, you will help monitor them as they recover from the labor and delivery process. You will look for signs of complications, provide education about postpartum care, and help them with breastfeeding.

Throughout the process, maternal vocational nurses usually also have administrative duties. It is common to help your patients set up their upcoming appointments, keep their records in order, and perform similar tasks. You will also play a vital role in promoting healthy behaviors and ensuring strong emotional support for mom and her baby.

What Does a Neonatal Vocational Nurse Do?

A neonatal vocational nurse plays a critical role in providing proper care to newborn infants, including those who are ill, born prematurely, or require special medical attention. You will work directly with neonatologists and registered nurses to care for your patients. All the tasks you complete will ensure that all infants under your care get everything they need to stabilize their condition and get the best start in life.

You will monitor newborns’ vital signs, including their respiratory, heart, and oxygen levels. Should you notice any changes or abnormalities, you will report these to the doctor or registered nurse you are working with. Neonatal vocational nurses are skilled in daily duties like diapering, feeding, and bathing newborn babies. You will also perform more specialized tasks like managing intravenous lines, administering medication, and helping with respiratory support.

You will provide education and emotional support to the families of the newborns you care for. It is common to help them better understand any treatment options, their baby’s condition, and the progress that their newborn is making. As a vocational nurse, you will teach parents how to feed, handle, and provide overall care to their new baby, including any specialized needs that the newborn has.

Once the newborn is ready to be discharged, you will work with the family to schedule all necessary follow-up care. You will ensure records are accurate so that the healthcare team has everything they need to provide the proper ongoing care.

Final Thoughts

A neonatal and maternal vocational nurse has a rewarding and critical role in providing support and essential care to newborns and mothers. The birth of a baby is a monumental time in someone’s life, and you get to share in the joy. Your work will include a wide array of responsibilities, from helping to prepare a new mom for the labor process to providing critical education when she is discharged and able to take her newborn home. As a vocational nurse, you will spend a lot of time with your patients and often act as a liaison between your patients and the rest of the medical staff. This will ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible.

Vocational Nursing Program

Classes for the Vocational Nursing program are conducted in a student-friendly atmosphere conveniently located in Austin, Texas. After graduating from the Licensed Vocational Nursing program, students can apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), become Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), and start their exciting new careers immediately. Plus, recent Vocational Nursing graduates have a 100% success rate clearing the NCLEX-PN exam. Let us help you too.

 

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