Nurse ivf nursing jobs

Fertility Nurses have a variety of titles they might go by, including Reproductive Nurses or IVF Nurses. Most fertility nursing specialists help couples who are having trouble conceiving or who have selected an alternate method of conception understand what their options are.

They may work in a strictly consultative position or assist doctors with implantation, in vitro fertilization, and other related procedures.

How to Become a Fertility Nurse

If this profession interests you and you’d like to become a nurse specializing in fertility issues, your first step is to apply to nursing school. Most interested students begin with a registered nurse (RN) license.

To qualify for an RN, you’ll need to earn a two-year Associate’s Degree in Nursing (AND), or you can opt to earn a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Both degrees can help you get your RN license; it just depends on the type of education you want.

After earning your degree, you’ll want to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). This is the exam that proves you have the competency to become licensed in your state. After taking and passing the NCLEX, you’ll be able to apply for your state license and get that RN credential.

Once you’re an RN, you may be able to find a job working as a fertility nurse. But if you want to better your odds, you can check out the National Certification Corporation to discover what other certificates can narrow your area of expertise and help make you more qualified and appealing to prospective employers.

How to Get a Job in IVF Nursing

Once you’ve got your education and your certifications behind you, it’s time to start looking for a job. If you were lucky enough to work in a fertility department as part of your educational experiences, that’s a great place to return to seek employment or ask for references.

In addition to that, you may find employment in:

• Obstetrics and gynecologist clinics

• Reproductive clinics

• Hospitals

• Egg donation clinics

• Counseling programs

This is a highly sought-after career, and you might have some difficulty getting your very first job working in the facility, or even the field you want is difficult. Overall, the nursing field is desperate for skilled and qualified nurses, so you will find that dream job eventually.

Until then, your best bet is to start getting some real-world working experience in nursing and continue to make contacts with fertility clinics.

What Does an IVF Nurse Do?

Most nurses specializing in fertility or IVF are responsible for helping patients prior to pregnancy or in those very initial stages; they do not deliver babies or assist in delivery. Each nurse’s responsibilities may vary, but their major duties may include:

• Exploring options with couples facing infertility

• Help same-sex couples find a childbearing solution

• Discuss childbearing options with single people

• Assist women who are managing menopause

• Collect samples

• Perform or assist in physical examinations

• Perform ultrasounds

• Work with researchers or in a reproduction lab

• Walk patients through IVF surgery and be there when they have the procedure

• Provide emotional support to patients and family during this phase of life

• Administer IVF treatments or assist a doctor

• Teach IVF procedures to other nurses

One of the most important things a fertility nurse does throughout the course of their day is listening. Listening to patients and understanding what their worries, fears, and feeling are is a big part of this job. Not being able to step outside of yourself and understand the concerns of another might be a sign that this field is not for you.

How Much Does an IVF Nurse Make

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a registered nurse has a median annual salary of $77,600. That number can be higher or lower depending on where you work and your experience in the field.

The good news is that the fertility business continues to grow as there are more options for people who have fertility issues.

There is also a greater acceptance of single people and same-sex couples carrying and having their own children, which is often done through IVF methods. This means there will likely be more jobs in this field, and your compensation will continue to rise.

Fertility Nursing FAQ

1. How much does a fertility nurse make?

   On average, an RN makes $77,600 per year. There are no specific statistics for fertility nurses, but nurses specializing in family medicine can make around $113,000 annually.

2. Is being a fertility nurse emotional?

   Your personal outlook can determine if you find this job emotional for you or not. Some people are greatly moved by people who are sad and frustrated by their inability to conceive. Likewise, a couple discovering what they are expecting for the first time can be an emotionally elating experience. It depends on your personal approach to how other people’s emotions affect you.

3. Are fertility nurses RNs?

   Yes, fertility nurses are almost always RNs. You may find that a large hospital or fertility clinic has some nurses who aren’t RNs working there, but they will not be working in the capacity of a fertility nurse or an IVF nurse.

4. Is IVF the best field for nurses?

   Yes, some IVF nurses feel that they’d never want to work in any other field of medicine. Other nurses cannot handle the emotional side of this job and find that it’s not a good fit for them at all.

   IVF nursing is a growing field, and there’s likely to be greater demand for nurses in the future, meaning there will be a lot of job security and possibly higher pay as well. While these are good aspects of the job, they might not be the most important aspects for you.

5. Do IVF nurses deliver babies?

   No, IVF nurses don’t deliver babies. Their job is to help with the beginning stages of pregnancy and pre-conception. Once a patient is pregnant, they will typically move on to a doctor and nurses who specialize in labor and obstetrics.

   You might find that your duties as an IVF nurse are stretched and cover a vast array of reproductive issues, from menses to menopause, but delivering babies is typically not a part of your responsibilities.

By - Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job.

His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.