A Maternity Nurse can help provide a smooth introduction
to new parents and their new baby into family life. A Maternity
Nurse has a wealth of experience to offer first time parents
and can be a great source of help and advice, not only about
the development and well being of the baby, but also that
of the new mother. Maternity nurses, encourage parent's involvement
and confidence in handling their new baby and promote a positive
relationship between other siblings and the new addition.
A maternity nurse should understand the impact of a baby's
arrival on new parents, and offer advice on the mother's
diet and rest. The nurse will also help in establishing and
maintaining breast-feeding, or offer advice about bottle-feeding.
WHAT ARE MATERNITY NURSES DUTIES?
GENERAL MATERNITY NURSE DUTIES - As well
as advising on, and helping new parents with feeding their
baby, a maternity nurse is responsible for all the physical
needs of the baby. This will include bathing, changing and
settling the baby, as well as taking care of baby's laundry
and nursery. The nurse should wash and iron all the babies
laundry, change the crib and pram covers, and keep all the
babies equipment and the nursery and bathroom clean and tidy
at all times.
DUTIES WITH BOTTLE FED BABIES - The Nurse is
responsible for preparation of all milk feeds, and ensuring
all bottles and feeding equipment is clean and sterilized
during the day and night. The maternity nurse is responsible
for feeding the baby, day and night and establishes a good
feeding and sleeping routine by arrangement with the parents.
DUTIES WITH BREAST FED BABIES - The maternity nurse should
observe the mother when she is feeding day and night, and
offer advice where necessary on helping the mother maintain
breast-feeding, and establishing a feeding and sleeping routine
with their newborn. The maternity nurse should take the baby
after feeds and resettle day and night.
REST - A Maternity Nurse is expected to be on duty for 24
hours and can get very tired from broken sleep, especially
after a night with a fretful or unsettled baby. It is important
that the nurse has time to rest and take breaks so that she
can remain pleasant and effective at all times. The maternity
Nurse should take the opportunity to rest and catch up with
her own sleep when the baby is asleep. This should be when
the baby is asleep, within earshot of the baby and once all
of her duties are completed.
ACCOMODATION - The nurse may share the baby's room or have
her own room, and this should be kept clean and tidy at all
times. There may be a bathroom for the nurse's own use or
the nurse may share a bathroom with the baby or other siblings.
All meals will be provided for a Maternity Nurse when in
a booking. The Nurse should cook her own meals and clean
up after herself at all times. Where necessary the nurse
should cook for and provide drinks for the mother unless
there is a resident Cook.
TIME OFF - Maternity Nurses are booked for a 6-day week
and are on call 24 hours. The nurse should have 24 hours
off every 7th day and can either stay at the position with
no duties at all during this time or leave for this period.
SALARY - Maternity Nurses are all self-employed and are
therefore responsible for their own income tax and National
Insurance contributions in Britain.
Salary Guide:
Single baby £650 - 750 per week
Twins £750 - £900 per week
Triplets £850+ per week
Days & Nights £8 - £12 per hour
Maternity Nanny £450 - £600 per week
[Salary according to age and experience.]
A nurse will receive 50% of her gross weekly salary from
the day she is booked until she begins work. The nurse should
be on call at this time and begin her booking upon request.
COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS - A maternity Nurse should at
all times discuss every aspect of the babies care and development
with parents. If the nurse has any concerns about the baby
or the baby becomes ill at any time the nurse should inform
parents and a doctor/ paediatrician. The nurse should know
at all times where to contact parents if they are away and
should ensure she has the necessary contact details at hand
at all times.
INTERVIEWING - Due to the nature of their work it can at
time be difficult for a nurse to attend interviews. In this
instance we would suggest a telephone interview, followed
by a meeting at a time convenient to both parties. If the
nurse is required to travel to an interview from another
town or city they may ask to have their interview expenses
reimbursed. This will be discussed and agreed upon prior
to the interview-taking place.
BOOKING A NURSE - If a maternity nurse is booked Eden Maternity
will request a confirmation from the employer confirming
the booking, start date, length of booking and weekly salary
for the nurse. A written confirmation can be sent fax or
post, or a confirmation by e-mail is fine and must be sent
to Eden Maternity to secure the booking. Some nurse may request
a retainer from the employer and this would be by arrangement
between the nurse and employer and the retainer would be
deducted off the nurse's first week's salary.
NIGHT ONLY MATERNITY NURSE - Night maternity nurses may
live in but usually live out and will work for up to six
nights per week. Most will work from between 8 to 10 p.m.
until 7 to 8 a.m. and be off duty during the day. They specialise
in getting particularly wakeful babies to sleep through the
night.
DAILY MATERNITY NURSE - Daily maternity nurses generally
live out and usually work between 10 and 12 hours per day
up to six days per week. Daily maternity nurses are ideal
for families who have limited space or who prefer not to
have someone living in.
INTRODUCTION FEE - The introduction of a nurse to a client
by Eden Maternity is confidential and such introductions
are made individually. A full fee will be charged for any
nurse engaged as a consequence or resulting from an introduction
by Eden Maternity, even if the introduction is made indirectly.
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