How to become a Maternal Child Health Nurse

Introduction

Maternal Child Health Nurses, also known as MCHNs, specialise in the growth and development of babies and children up to the age of 6. They provide support and guidance to families in the community, offering evidence-based information on the health and well-being of the child and family. MCHNs aim to build and maintain positive relationships with parents and families, and assist in connecting them to local services. Maternal child health nurses (MCHNs) play a vital role in the health and wellbeing of mothers and their children. If you’re passionate about helping families thrive, a career as an MCHN could be the perfect choice for you.

Responsibilities

Maternal child health nurses are responsible for providing care and support to mothers and their children. This includes providing information and advice on pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and parenting. MCHNs work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community health centres, schools, childcare centres, and private health practices.

The responsibilities of an MCHN include:

  • Providing information and advice on pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and parenting
  • Assessing the health and development of children and providing support and assistance to families with children with special needs
  • Providing support and assistance to families with young children
  • Providing information and advice on nutrition, sleep, and behaviour
  • Providing support and assistance to families with children with special needs
  • Providing information and advice on immunisation and infection control
  • Referring families to other services as needed

 

In most Australian states, when a women leaves the hospital after having a baby, their care is taken over by a MCHN from their local council. The MCHN will organise and attend appointments with the parent(s) at key stages of the child’s development to track progress and assist with any concerns.

Qualifications

To become a Maternal Child Health Nurse (MCHN) in Australia, you must have experience as both a registered nurse and a registered midwife, and complete a postgraduate qualification in Maternal and Child Health. The specific postgrad qualification required will vary depending on the state or territory, with some states only requiring a graduate certificate while others requiring a master’s degree. In some specific cases, you may also be required to complete training or certification in areas such as newborn and infant physical examination. As such, a MCHN is one of the most qualified nursing positions you can obtain.

After gaining the necessary qualifications and registering with the NMBA, MCHNs must also participate in ongoing professional development (CPD) and adhere to the NMBA’s code of conduct and professional standards. This will ensure that they are providing safe, quality care to mothers, babies and children in the community.

Skills & Experience

In addition completing these qualification you must also possess a certain level of experience to be employed as a MCHN.

The experience required for the role of an MCHN varies depending on the employer, but typically include

  • At least one year of experience working in a maternal and child health setting as a registered nurse and/or midwife.
  • Experience working with families and children, providing support and assistance.
  • Experience in assessing the health and development of children and providing support and assistance to families with children with special needs

It is important to note that some employers may require more experience than others, it is always recommended to check the job requirements and qualifications before applying.

Job Opportunities

According to the Australian government’s Job Outlook website, employment for Maternal and Child Health Nurses is expected to grow very strongly in the next five years. With 2,600 Maternal and Child Health Nurses currently employed in Australia and expected to grow 2.5% pa.

Not only are MCHNs in high demand, they also have a variety of job settings to choose from.

  • Hospitals: MCHNs can work in public and private hospitals, providing care and support to mothers and their children. They may work in obstetrics, neonatal, or paediatric units, providing care to mothers during pregnancy and childbirth, and to newborns and young children.
  • Community Health Centers: MCHNs can work in community health centers, providing care and support to families in their local area. They may provide services such as prenatal care, parenting advice, and support for children with special needs.
  • Private Practices: Some MCHNs choose to work in private practice, providing care and support to families in their own homes. They may provide services such as prenatal care, breastfeeding support, and parenting advice.
  • Schools and Childcare Centers: MCHNs can work in schools and childcare centers, providing support and assistance to families with young children. They may provide services such as nutrition, sleep, and behavior advice, as well as support for children with special needs.
  • Government and Non-Profit Organizations: MCHNs can work in government and non-profit organizations, providing support and assistance to families in their local area. They may provide services such as prenatal care, parenting advice, and support for children with special needs.

Salary Expectations

The salary for an MCHN in Australia varies depending on location, experience, and qualifications, but overall can expect a very competitive salary. According to Talent.com entry level positions begin at $103,000 per year, and and be as much as $130,000. This generous amount, shouldn’t be too suprising given the extensive education and experience a MCHN must obtain.