How to advertise as a newly qualified Maternity Nurse

[NannyPractitioner]

I am a newly qualified Postnatal Maternity Nurse Level 4 accredited by OCN. I have a fully enhanced DBS on the update service, A Paediatric First Aid Certificate and Public Liability Insurance.

I want to gain experience as a Maternity Nurse to build my portfolio and I will do that unpaid to get references.

I’ve worked as a nanny with children/toddlers and babies for the last six years. However I want to build my portfolio with more practical experience working with expectant parents and new borns under 8 weeks old.

Whether parents just need an extra pair of hands with new born or a full on role for a few hours during the day, or overnight stay I’ll provide the support needed unpaid for a reference.

I live in London - Notting Hill. All work experience roles will be live out and I’m willing to travel to other parts of London.

I’ve joined a local mother and baby group as a volunteer supporting new and expectant mothers with breastfeeding guidance. This will be a great way to network.

I’m already registered with a well known agency that specialises in nanny/maternity nurse roles but I want to get more new born practical experience to build on my knowledge and continue learning and developing expertise. Parents paying for maternity nurse through an agency also want more experience and relevant references.

Facebook groups are a great idea but saturated.

childcare.co.uk requires references as well if advertising as a maternity nurse which I don’t have as yet.

I’m just wondering if anyone has any suggestions I could consider?.

Why do you need to provide your services for free just because you’re newly qualified? Certainly offer a heavily discounted rate but you don’t have to and frankly shouldn’t work for free. People tend to take advantage or flake out on follow through when they’re not paying for a service, believe me I’ve been there.

6yr exp with toddlers and babies of 6mths + doesn’t count - be the same with 10/15yrs of same age

a 6mth baby is very diff from a 1 day baby

and the parents will be coming to you to help them for every issue - would you be able to spot cmpa at a few days old or less

same with reflux colic

to recognise tongue tie and who to see to get it resolved

could you help a mum bf - if her latch isn’t right and how to position and to get her milk in or if milk is in but baby can’t get it out and mastitis sets in

to reassure a deeply pnd mum

I understand it is hard. It’s a catch 22. Need exp to join agencies. Can’t get experience without a job

there are so many mn about now that agencies can pic and chose who they have on their books - I’m with several London agencies as well as local ones - and one lady in a mn group I am in was most offended that one agency didn’t take her on and she had years of newborn exp

I often work via word of mouth as well as agencies as well as returning clients- but also have had some lovely jobs via the childcare site - so ar you on that advertising yourself ?

as I said local fb groups as well advertise

put notices up in shops - newsagents - baby clinics

Do you have still have contact with others that did the same course as yourself? How are they getting experience? Where are they working?

-Do you have leaflets to give out which provides a brief run down of what you do? Word of mouth would be your best option I'd say.
-Can you put up signs at local nursery/supermarkets?
-Could you get a part time job on a post natal ward? I know they don't have the baby 'nursery' like they did years ago, but are there roles more focused on baby care?

I know easier said than done by my first thought would be to look for a nanny role for a family where mum is pregnant, even if it’s primarily to look after the older kid(s) you’ll likely still be able to get experience with a newborn. And you’d be paid your full salary whilst doing it.

Another idea is to advertise on nextdoor.com in your area.

Start by advertising your night nanny/post natal help services on local facebook, whatsapp, next door etc.
Maybe advertise in surrounding areas too.
I wouldn't offer for free, as unfortunately people often take 'free' to mean 'worthless' - but do offer at a lower rate than established nannies.
If you are offering help at night or with newborns for £10 or £12 an hour instead of £20-£25 you are likely to get interest from families who wouldn't normally afford a full maternity nurse package.

Are there any baby massage or baby sensory classes near you? Get in touch with the owner and see if you can promote each other - ask if you can drop in to a class to offer your services at the end, and in return you can give class flyers to any newborn clients you book.

I have a professional qualification and registration

What is your professional qualification?

'Registered nurse' is the protected title. It leads to a lot of confusion in the public domain.

Your aren’t a nurse though - using the them will give a false impression

And saying you’re registered would only add to this

You are not a registered nurse

You can’t compare NMC registration with being a mothers help.

who are you actually registered with because there’s no legal obligation or any actual oversight

Youre blurring things on purpose

Nurse has been a traditional title for childcare staff for a long time in the UK.

The kind of families who hire maternity nurses are not going to be confused about whether they are registered healthcare nurses or not.

did not include an exhaustive list of all my experience, qualifications, professional body registrations background checks etc.. etc…in this post! as I was not aware I needed to provide an exhaustive list

You don't need to provide an 'exhaustive list', just the professional qualification you have.

You are clearly not getting work so there is a problem. It sounds like it's possibly because you are not being transparent about your qualifications.

it isn’t anymore

Nursery nurse has been replaced by early years practitioner for a reason. These days if you call yourself a nurse people will reasonably assume you are actually a nurse. OP is a nanny who’s done done online training and is in no way considered a nurse

Sure.

Hi - im a new mum of a 1 week old in Notting Hill - can we chat about what you can offer to help us?