Perinatal NP

[klg2011]

I was wondering about the specific responsibilities of a perinatal nurse practitioner? I know that perinatal nursing involves the time period before and after birth, but I am not sure if the role of a perinatal nurse practitioner involves caring for both the woman and the neonate, or if it is specific to one or the other?

Thanks!

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

I've never heard of a Perinatal NP. You can pursue a Women's Health NP track, -or- a neonatal NP track, but they limit you to entirely different patient populations.

You may be able to get your FNP, which some NICUs will hire... and this will allow you to care for patients across the perinatal care spectrum...but keep in mind that the vast majority of neonatal ICUs do not hire FNPs.

[MagsMom]

I work at a hospital that has 6 perinatologist (MDs). There are CNM that work in the Perinatology clinic with the MDs. The CNM do not deliver - all they do is see patients in clinic. Perinatologist see high risk OB patients. They normally do not follow the newborn as they are seen by neonatologist (if needed) or pediatricians. So I suppose if you are inerested in working with high risk OB patients your best bet would be to become a CNM and try to specialize in high risk OB.