Neonatal postnatal support nurses and midwives at Barwon Health. Photo: supplied
The Neonatal Postnatal Support Nurse (NPSN) pilot has been underway at University Hospital Geelong, Werribee Mercy Hospital and Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Sunshine Hospital since late 2024.
ANMF (Vic Branch) advocated for the pilot in recognition of the increased demand placed on midwives in caring for higher acuity newborns on postnatal wards. The aim was to allow registered nurses, who otherwise have limited exposure to maternity settings, the opportunity to experience working on a postnatal ward.
The role of the NPSN is to support the midwifery staff by providing care to newborns who require additional treatment or monitoring, with scope limited to provision of care for unqualified newborns on the postnatal ward. The NPSN can care for up to five newborns at a time.
Since the commencement of the pilot, the number of NPSNs on the postnatal wards in the three trial sites has increased, with at least two NPSNs now rostered on each shift.
Overwhelmingly, the feedback from the pilot since the NPSNs became well established in their role on the wards has been positive. The NPSNs report great job satisfaction, with highlights being the role they play in keeping parents and newborns together, in being able to sit with families to provide support and in managing complications that arise to prevent admissions to the nursery.
It is clear the NPSN group have flourished in the postnatal environment as they grow their skills and confidence and feel valued by their midwifery colleagues as they reduce workload and improve outcomes. Across the cohort of NPSNs, several have commenced postgraduate study in midwifery and neonatal intensive care, as well as some who have continued to work as an NPSN whilst embarking on lactation consultant training. Their experience as an NPSN is proving invaluable for these courses.
The feedback from midwives working on the postnatal wards has also been fantastic. Largely they report that they can’t imagine not having the NPSNs working with them! Midwifery members value the support NPSNs provide in caring for higher acuity newborns and reducing the workload so that women and birthing people can have the postnatal care they need. They regularly express their gratitude in having the NPSNs present on a shift.
In some services, the monitoring required for higher acuity babies has increased in line with best practice, which has resulted in more work for the NPSNs, and midwives can see that this additional work would fall to them in the event the pilot was to cease.
The reports of satisfaction from women and families has also improved, with regular positive feedback from families that they are grateful for the NPSNs as a dedicated resource for their baby.
A formal evaluation of the pilot is underway at each site, with reports from this body of work due towards the middle of 2026. Securing funding for the program to continue and expand is a priority for ANMF and we continue to advocate to this end with government.
In their own words
Georgie
Associate Midwife Unit Manager Georgie is the NPSN Project Officer at Barwon Health.
‘The demand on midwives is quite high, so the aim of the pilot was to bring these NPSNs in to help with that workload as part of their ratio. Because within maternity services neonates and their birthing parent are counted as one patient, even when babies require additional care.
‘In collaboration with the midwife, who is still very much the lead, the NPSNs can do physical observations and blood tests. They can treat for jaundice, initiate blood sugar treatment and manage infants with temperature instability. They can help with bathing and double-checking scheduled medications and newborn immunisations/injections.
‘They can help with basic feeding support, while the midwife is still the leader with regards to breastfeeding support and implementing feeding plans.
‘The NPSNs have become highly valued members of the team. We don’t know how we worked before without them. The improved staff satisfaction speaks for itself.’
Alicia
Alicia is a registered nurse working in the NPSN role at University Hospital Geelong. Prior to joining the pilot she had no experience in maternity.
‘I’ve always loved babies and hoped I would end up in maternity or paediatrics, so this was a perfect test to see if it is actually where I want to end up. And I love it! It’s such a nice feeling coming to work knowing that you’re wanted there. I would love to continue in this role and eventually do my postgrad in midwifery.’
Renee
Renee is an NPSN role at University Hospital Geelong. Her clinical background is in paediatrics with a focus on surgical, trauma and burns.
‘I would love to continue the role; it has definitely been a career highlight for me. I think this program has been successful: we have been able to help reduce the midwives’ loads so they are able to focus mainly on the women’s care. I really hope the pilot continues as it makes such a positive impact to the families and the midwives.’
Marion
Marion was an NPSN at Werribee Mercy in 2025. She has now commenced postgraduate midwifery training.
‘I had a very rewarding experience in the NPSN role at Werribee Mercy. I felt like my contributions improved the outcomes of some higher acuity babies that benefited from more focused care. I also feel that we [NPSNs] improved the workload of the midwives we were teamed with, allowing them to also give more directed care to the mums.
‘I feel very fortunate to have been involved in this program and I feel it has shown observable benefits for both patients and postnatal staff.’
Melanie, Associate Midwife Unit Manager
RN and midwife Melanie is an AMUM and the NPSN Project Lead at Werribee Mercy.
‘The benefit has been tremendous. Initially the reaction from midwives seemed to be “we don’t want this” or “we don’t trust this” and I have really loved seeing that change into “we can’t lose this”.
‘We have some fabulous nurses working with us, and they have proven time and again to be beneficial to the ward and the team as a whole.
Midwives are now telling me they have enough time to give the care they want to give on the ward, and they really notice the difference if there is ever a shift without an NPSN.
‘I very much hope it will continue and I would love to see nurses on every postnatal ward in Victoria to help provide care for those sicker babies, whilst allowing midwives to have more time to care for the women.’
Erica, Midwife Unit Manager
Erica is unit manager of a 32-bed ward at Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s, caring for up to 7,500 women and their infants each year. Many of these infants require higher-acuity care, with some being transferred to Special Care Nursery, separating mothers and babies.
‘The benefits of this program have been significant. It has proven to be an attractive pathway for our nursing cohort into the postgraduate midwifery program, helping to strengthen and grow our future midwifery workforce.
The program also supports keeping mothers and babies together whenever possible, which promotes bonding and improves breastfeeding support and education.
‘In addition, it allows more dedicated time with mothers to provide education and guidance during the early postnatal period. The program has also fostered stronger collaboration between our nursing and midwifery colleagues, enhancing teamwork and continuity of care.
‘My view is that this trial has demonstrated nothing but success. We are seeing happier and more fulfilled mothers who are receiving the best possible care for themselves and their babies. Given these outcomes, we would support it becoming a permanent fixture within our service.’
