January 23rd is Maternal Health Awareness Day, a day established in 2017 to highlight the critical need for improved maternal health outcomes in the U.S.
This year, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has centered the theme around "What’s at Stake," emphasizing the urgent maternal health crisis in the country. Despite being one of the wealthiest nations, the U.S. continues to face disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality, particularly among underserved populations. This crisis has prompted urge for innovation, such as the Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which aims to revolutionize maternal care across 15 states. If you're a nurse considering a new specialty, maternal health offers a fulfilling and impactful career path.
With roles spanning hospitals, birth centers, OB/GYN practices, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and community-based organizations,
there’s a niche for every nurse passionate about improving maternal and infant health outcomes. Let’s explore how you can be part of this transformative movement.
The Maternal Health Crisis: Why Nurses Are Needed
The U.S. spends more on maternal health care than any other nation, yet it has some of the worst outcomes among high-income countries. Maternal mortality rates remain alarmingly high, with significant disparities affecting Black, Indigenous, and other marginalized communities. The TMaH Model seeks to address these inequities through four key pillars:
1. Access: Expanding access to care for underserved populations.
2. Infrastructure and Workforce: Strengthening the maternal health workforce and resources.
3. Quality Improvement and Safety: Enhancing the quality and safety of maternal care.
4. Whole Person Care: Providing holistic, patient-centered care.
Nurses play a pivotal role in this transformation. As care coordinators, educators, advocates, and navigators, they bridge gaps in care, improve patient experiences, and drive better health outcomes. Whether you’re drawn to direct patient care, education, or community outreach, maternal health offers diverse opportunities to make a difference.
Maternal Health Nursing Roles Across Settings
The TMaH Model partners with a wide range of entities, including hospitals, birth centers, OB/GYN practices, FQHCs, and community-based organizations. Here’s a breakdown of nursing roles within these settings:
1. Hospitals
Labor and Delivery (L&D) Nurse: Assist with childbirth, monitor maternal and fetal health, and provide postpartum care.
Postpartum Nurse: Support mothers and newborns after delivery, focusing on recovery and education.
NICU Nurse: Care for premature or ill newborns in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Perinatal Nurse: Specialize in high-risk pregnancies and fetal care.
OB/GYN Triage Nurse: Assess and stabilize patients in obstetric and gynecological emergencies.
2. Birth Centers
Birth Center Nurse: Provide holistic care during natural childbirth in non-hospital settings.
Birth Assistant RN/LPN: Support midwives and nurses during deliveries.
Lactation Consultant: Offer breastfeeding support and education.
3. OB/GYN Practices
OB Nurse: Conduct prenatal visits, assist with gynecological exams, and educate patients.
Ultrasound Nurse: Perform and interpret ultrasounds for pregnant patients.
4. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
Perinatal Nurse Navigator: Guide high-risk patients through prenatal and postpartum care.
Public Health Nurse (Maternal Health Focus): Provide preventive care and education to underserved populations.
Case Management Nurse: Coordinate care for pregnant and postpartum patients.
Title X Nurse (Family Planning RN) – Provides contraceptive counseling, pregnancy education, and reproductive health services.
5. Community-Based Organizations
Community Health Nurse: Conduct home visits and outreach to improve maternal and infant health.
Doula (Nurse-Doula): Offer emotional and physical support during childbirth.
Maternal Home Visiting Nurse: Provide in-home care and education to new mothers.
Nurse Case Manager (Maternal & Child Health): Develop and manage care plans for at-risk families.
How to Find Maternal Health Nursing Jobs
Try pairing these terms with "hospital," "clinic," "birth center," "FQHC," or "community-based" to refine your search.
[Bonus Tip] When searching for maternal health roles, it’s important to use a variety of keywords since “nurse” isn’t always in the job title.
Keyword Search Tips for Job Boards
Maternal Health Nurse
Perinatal Nurse
OB/GYN Nurse
Women’s Health Nurse
Labor & Delivery Coordinator
Postpartum Educator
Prenatal Case Manager
Home Visiting Nurse – Maternal & Child Health
Family Planning Nurse
Neonatal Care Specialist
Public Health Nurse – Women’s Health
Lactation Consultant – RN
Take the Next Step in Your Nursing Career
Maternal health nursing is more than a job—it’s a calling to make a lasting impact on the lives of mothers, infants, and families. Whether you’re drawn to the fast-paced environment of a hospital, the holistic care of a birth center, or the community-focused work of an FQHC, there’s a role for you in this growing field.
Just my Nursing Perspective
Need help navigating your career path? Let us help you create a personalized nurse roadmap tailored to your goals and interests in maternal health. Contact us today to take the first step toward a rewarding and impactful career in maternal health nursing!
Nurse Meg
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