Can i be a mother/baby nurse if I have never had kids?

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This may seem like a silly question, but the reason I bring it up is because not only have i never had kids, I have no experience at all in mother/baby, only my clinical (im a nursing student finishing up my last year). In addition, im 21, short, skinny, and get that I look very young... some people go as far as to say i look like im 14 lol. I know appearance should have nothing to do with my ability to care for patients, and I dont think it will once I gain the experience i need to and become comfortable working as a nurse. I was just wondering if mothers would feel comfortable receiving care and newborn education from someone that looks so young and inexperience .... any youngsters in mother/baby that want to share their experience? maybe im just over analyzing this idk lol but I really want to work in maternity!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

My former coworker worked as a mother/baby nurse on a postpartum unit without ever having had kids of her own. She is now a mom, but she did not have children during the time that she worked in postpartum.

A person can be a competent postpartum nurse without ever having personally given birth. Nurses learn from evidence-based practice and work experience. 'Personal' experience is optional!

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This may seem like a silly question, but the reason I bring it up is because not only have i never had kids, I have no experience at all in mother/baby, only my clinical (im a nursing student finishing up my last year). In addition, im 21, short, skinny, and get that I look very young... some people go as far as to say i look like im 14 lol. I know appearance should have nothing to do with my ability to care for patients, and I dont think it will once I gain the experience i need to and become comfortable working as a nurse. I was just wondering if mothers would feel comfortable receiving care and newborn education from someone that looks so young and inexperience .... any youngsters in mother/baby that want to share their experience? maybe im just over analyzing this idk lol but I really want to work in maternity!

Don't worry about that. Im a L&D RN, and I have no kids. :) It makes no difference. You don't have to have gone through cancer to be a good oconology nurse ;)

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I would think that like TheCommuter says having kids would only enhance your practice, but you are well-trained for the job. :)

If you are deeply drawn to the field, your practice will also be enhanced... go for it!

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Specializes in obgyn/women and infants.

Yes you can I currently work on a mother baby unit. I'm going into my 2nd year. I didn't have a child my first year of working there...if mother baby is where u wanna be go for it. I am 25 and I get the young look as well lol. But it's not bad when ur pts are sometimes young as well. You can do it...dont worry.

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Specializes in Med/Surg,Cardiac.

I have never had a heart attack but I am a good cardiac nurse. Oncology nurses without cancer can still empathize with cancer patients. The same reigns true with L&D.

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I have never had a heart attack but I am a good cardiac nurse. Oncology nurses without cancer can still empathize with cancer patients. The same reigns true with L&D.

Ummm looks like u only read the title.

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Specializes in Med/Surg,Cardiac.

Ummm looks like u only read the title.

I read the post. I stick with what I initially wrote. I started as a charge nurse at 21 and got asked if I was younger. My point was that you don't have to have had certain experiences to work in a certain specialty. If you are able to provide knowledgeable teaching I do not see where you'd have an issue. Sorry if it sounded like I didn't read what you wrote. Good luck!

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Specializes in Couplet Care/Newborn Nursery.

I currently work on a mother/baby unit and I have no kids! Not having kids does not hinder my ability to provide care to my patients. I also get told I look young too!

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Specializes in Obstetrics.

I too work on Mother Baby as it's always been a passion of mine and people ask me a lot if I have kids of my own... I do not so I say no and they're surprised, then say I'm going to be a great mom someday. Like some previous posters have mentioned, it's really not what you personally have gone through that makes you a good nurse, that can only enhance it down the road. It's all about how you carry yourself as well. If you're acting young and don't try to learn more about caring for an infant, then that may change their mind for having you as a nurse. GL!

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

You'll be fine. I think when people ask if you have kids it's their way of knowing if you've been where they are. I can tell a BFing mom that I know what that first latch feels like when you 'know' baby's got it. I can say, yes, it does get easier and you'll figure this out. Sometimes when they ask they just want some reassurance that they are not the only person in the world who's dealt with [insert issue here]. But just because you have no kids or have never breastfed, or never had a c/section (or whatever) does not mean you're incapable or even that the pt thinks you're incapable. I know plenty of great nurses on my L&D/PP floor that don't have kids. You'll be alright. If you're a good nurse, you're a good nurse.

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I told my mom the other day that I decided I was going back to school to become a midwife. I wondered aloud to her how others would look at me knowing that I have never given birth myself. My mother reminded me that male OB/GYN's have never given birth either. I smiled and said "Your right!!!" Duh... lol I will always remember the little light bulb that went off in my head when she said this. If all goes as planned I will make it through the program by the time I am 31. I will have my kids then :)

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