A Day In A Life of The Fertility Nurse

Care, compassion, and a little bit of chaos.

Ever wonder what it’s like behind the scenes at a fertility clinic? As a fertility nurse, no two days are exactly alike—but every one of them is filled with purpose, precision, and a lot of heart.

Here’s a peek into a typical day in my world:

6:30 AM- 9:30AM – My day starts early at the clinic, where I log in and begin preparing for morning monitoring appointments. As patients start to arrive, our team—including ultrasound technicians and phlebotomists—works efficiently to ensure everything runs smoothly.

During this time, we review and interpret patients’ bloodwork and ultrasound results to determine next steps based on their treatment plans and cycle progression. It’s also a key window for patient education—we spend time walking patients through what to expect, reviewing medications, and offering support and counselling as needed.

9:00-11:30AM – As morning monitoring wraps up, I shift focus to emails and patient communications. I try to keep up with messages during the morning rush, but this is when I can really dedicate time to addressing questions and concerns more thoroughly.

This part of the day often includes performing any scheduled IUIs (intrauterine inseminations) and coordinating care across the team to ensure everything is running according to plan.

12:00PM – Time to regroup! Our daily IVF meeting brings together doctors and nurses to review patient updates and make decisions on next steps. We talk through lab results, adjust protocols as needed, and collaborate on any complex or unique cases. It’s one of my favorite parts of the day—there’s so much teamwork, and it really reinforces how connected we all are in helping patients move forward.

12:00PM - 2:30PM – Afternoons are focused on patient follow-up. I reach out to provide updates, send treatment protocols, review plans of care, and coordinate with pharmacies to ensure medication timing aligns with each patient’s protocol. It’s a busy part of the day, but incredibly rewarding to help patients feel confident and informed as they move forward in their treatment.

While most of my days follow a familiar rhythm, some are a little less routine—and that’s part of what keeps this role so interesting! On certain days, I get to step into the OR to assist with procedures like egg retrievals and embryo transfers. It’s a chance to flex my hands-on clinical skills, which I really enjoy, and experience a different side of fertility care. These moments are especially meaningful—they represent major milestones in a patient’s IVF journey, and being there to support someone I’ve worked with throughout their cycle is incredibly emotional and rewarding.

Other days take on a more admin-focused vibe. I might spend time connecting with patients for IVF protocol calls, reviewing treatment plans, answering questions, and making sure everything’s lined up for a smooth cycle start. I’m also involved in third-party coordination—supporting patients using donor eggs, sperm, or working with gestational carriers. There’s always something new to dive into, and that variety is what makes this job so fulfilling.

The Highs & Lows:

Working in fertility care is incredibly meaningful—but it's not without its emotional challenges. There are definitely highs and lows in this role. One of the hardest parts is having to share disappointing or unexpected news with patients. When things don’t go as hoped, it can be heartbreaking. You truly feel for them—you're walking alongside them through such a personal and vulnerable journey.

As nurses, we’re often the first point of contact. We’re there to answer the tough questions, offer a listening ear, and be a steady presence when things feel overwhelming. We’re also there for the joyful moments—whether it's good news during a cycle or a long-awaited pregnancy update, we get to celebrate those wins together.

One of the most rewarding parts of the job? When patients send photos of their babies or share updates on their lives after treatment—even if their path didn’t lead to a baby, but to a place of peace or a new chapter. Seeing their journey come full circle and knowing we played a small part in that is something truly special.