maternity nurse
Responsibilities
Maternity nurses are responsible for ensuring both the baby and parents receive the care and assistance they need. Their responsibilities often include:
Newborn Care: Feeding, changing, bathing, and settling the baby, including assistance with breastfeeding or preparing bottle feeds.
Sleep Training: Establishing healthy sleep routines for the newborn and offering advice on managing night-time care.
Parental Support: Providing emotional support to new parents, offering guidance on postnatal recovery, and helping parents build confidence in caring for their baby.
Routine Establishment: Helping to develop feeding and sleeping schedules that work for both the baby and the family.
Working Hours
- A 24 hours Maternity Nurse: Works 24h a day, typically for 5-6 days a week. For maternity nurses working a 24-hour shift, they are entitled to a minimum of 4 hours of rest each day.
-Day Maternity Nurse: Works 10-12 hours per day, for 5-6 days a week.
-Night Maternity Nurse: Works 10-12 hours overnight, for 5-6 nights a week.
Salary
Maternity nurses are typically self-employed, with their fees varying based on factors such as experience, age, location, and whether they are caring for a single baby, twins, or triplets.
Maternity Nurse 24h: earnings generally range from £250 per day for junior candidates to £500 per day for highly experienced professionals, with accommodation and meals provided by the family.
Maternity Nurse Day/night: Generally earns from £25 per hour, though this can rise to £30 per hour or more for highly experienced or specialist maternity nurses.
Maternity nurses may also work in shifts, with day and night rates varying depending on the family's needs and the nurse’s availability.