There are lots of different types of nurses. Just like doctors, there are different nurses that specialize in different things and if you have found yourself on this page then you are probably curious about what an IVF nurse is.
Well, IVF stands for in vitro fertilization, so you have probably guessed that an IVF nurse works in the field of fertility. This particular field can be incredibly interesting and rewarding to work in.
We’ll be going over everything you need to know about what an IVF nurse is (see also our article on nurse clinicians), as well as a little bit about what they do and what sort of things they commonly treat. So let’s get started.
What Is An IVF Nurse?
An IVF (in vitro fertilization) nurse is a type of registered nurse that specializes in fertility, conception, and reproduction.
If you are looking for a nurse to help advise and guide you with anything to do with these particular things, you’ll likely be assigned or referred to an IVF nurse.
IVF nurses typically collaborate with reproductive endocrinologists to support patients through any fertility treatments they are going through, but they also help patients who are experiencing and going through menopause.
If you are dealing with any fertility concerns of any kind, these nurses will have the information and advice that you need.
What Do IVF Nurses Do?
IVF nurses will advise and educate all of their patients on any matters to do with fertility, conception, and reproduction.
On top of this, they will frequently collaborate with other fertility specialists to make sure each patient has a fertility plan that suits them the best.
New technologies are constantly being made available for IVF nurses and fertility specialists/doctors, so this means that countless new options are being made available to the patients themselves.
IVF nurses (see also our article on postpartum nurses) are able to advise their patients on any steps they need to take before they make their final decision in the fertility process.
They will explain in detail the fertility options and plans that are available and they will also educate their patients on certain aspects of reproductive health.
If you are looking into fertility advice or treatment, then an IVF nurse is great to have on your side. Anything you aren’t sure about or you need more information about before you make your decision, these nurses will know all the answers.
Along with information and advice, IVF nurses also have the ability to perform and assist in certain medical procedures (see also ‘Can Nurses Intubate?‘). Some of these procedures include fresh or frozen embryo transfer and intrauterine insemination (IUI).
Common Things Treated By IVF Nurses
Most commonly, IVF nurses treat things and conditions that directly affect and relate to infertility and conception. This can be for both male and female infertility.
One such treatment they do is testing males for infertility by getting a semen sample and sending the sample to a qualified lab. In the lab, they will then test the sample for low sperm concentrations, vitality, morphology, and mobility.
They can also do tests to find out if there are any other reasons why a male has infertility issues. Some common causes of infertility actually include being overweight, Type 2 Diabetes, infection, and genetic conditions.
As for female infertility issues, there can be a number of reasons why the female might not be able to conceive. IVF nurses will look into this and conduct tests to further find out why.
One common way they assess a female’s infertility is to do an endocrine evaluation with blood work. This particular test will assess hormone levels at different stages of the menstrual cycle.
Some known causes of female infertility include polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), low egg count, tubal occlusion, and primary ovarian failure.
IVF nurses work closely with both male and female infertility and will have the necessary information and advice ready for their patients.
Qualities & Skills Needed To Become An IVF Nurse
Aside from the obvious need for knowledge in the fertility field, there are lots of other qualities and skills required to become a successful IVF nurse.
They have to be very well versed in reproductive technologies and understand exactly what advice they need to give to their individual patients.
IVF nurses are known for having very strong communication skills, as they will be dealing face-to-face with many patients and they need to be able to communicate any advice or information to them.
They also have to have good listening skills so they can understand what their patients need and want, so they can work out the appropriate steps and actions to take.
A big one for IVF nurses is that they need a lot of patience, empathy, and compassion. Infertility and fertility are very sensitive subjects, especially for the patients involved.
When people are trying to conceive but they are having a hard time, it can take a toll on their mind, body, and emotions, and if you do not have empathy and compassion, this can make the situation a lot worse.
However, if you do have these qualities, it can help break down barriers and walls and the patients will be more calm and receptive to any advice that is given to them.
More often than not, the patients just want to be seen, heard, and understood, and IVF nurses are experts in making them feel like they are in a safe and informative environment.
Conclusion
IVF nurses deal with a lot of aspects of infertility and fertility. They are well versed in reproductive technologies and they know exactly what advice and information they need to give to each of their individual patients.
If you are dealing with fertility issues and you go to a hospital or doctor’s surgery, more often than not, you will end up working with an IVF nurse. The best IVF nurses are patient, informative, compassionate, and have a lot of empathy.
IVF nurses have a very important and demanding role, but even though it is a demanding role, it can also be incredibly rewarding too.