[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A neonatal nurse specializes in caring for newborn infants. Some neonatal nurses are responsible for healthy infants, while others, often known as NICU nurses, care for infants with medical complications. Some of the most common neonatal complications include infections, congenital disabilities, and prematurity.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses who love pediatrics, excel in providing gentle care, and easily develop bonds with families could be great for this specialty. Learn more about neonatal nurse responsibilities, [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/neonatal-nurse/how-to-become/”]education requirements[/hen-ui-link], and career trends.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]How Long to Become[/hen-ui-text]4 years[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Degree Requirements[/hen-ui-text]ADN or BSN[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-center”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Average Annual Salary[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Neonatal_Nurse_(RN)/Hourly_Rate”]$79,253[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”mb-0″]What Does a Neonatal Nurse Do?[/hen-ui-heading]
[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-xs”]JGI/Tom Grill / Getty Images[/hen-ui-text]
ADN or BSN required
Certification Optional
[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Neonatal nurses practice in hospitals that treat newborns. They collaborate with other members of the healthcare team to address patient complications. They also manage daily infant care and support families through frequent communication.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-xs”]JGI/Tom Grill / Getty Images[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Key Responsibilities[/hen-ui-heading]
- Caring for the newborn, including through feedings and diaper changes
- Administering medications
- Monitoring and recording vital signs
- Provide education and emotional support to families
- Administering certain special treatments, such as tube feedings
- Bathe infants and change diapers
- Use medical equipment unique to each patient
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Career Traits[/hen-ui-heading]
[/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Where Do Neonatal Nurses Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Neonatal nurses work on well-baby hospital units or NICUs (neonatal intensive care units). Well-baby units support healthy infants, while NICUs treat babies with health complications.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Patients on well-baby units often only require typical newborn care, while infants admitted to NICUs need more interventions. These work environments are divided into four levels. Level one is for well-baby units, while levels two through four address infants with issues increasing in severity.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-900″]Level II NICU[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This level cares for infants born at 32 weeks gestation and above or full-term babies needing close observation. This level of care includes close monitoring of vital signs, weight, and fluid status. Level II NICU nurses administer IV fluids and medications.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-900″]Level III NICU[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Level III NICU includes infants born before 32 weeks’ gestation weighing under 1,500 grams or those at any gestation considered critically ill. Common care at this level includes close observation, mastery of ventilators, and care of infants needing surgery.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-900″]Level IV NICU[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This is the highest level of care for infants. Level IV NICU nurses care for newborns needing major surgery or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). These infants require procedures for congenital heart defects or cardiopulmonary failure.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Become a Neonatal Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/adn/”]associate degree in nursing (ADN[/hen-ui-link]) is the minimum requirement to [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/neonatal-nurse/how-to-become/”]become a neonatal nurse[/hen-ui-link], but many employers require a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/bsn/”]bachelor of science in nursing (BSN[/hen-ui-link]). Certification, such as a CCRN (neonatal) credential, is often required. Some positions may require advanced practice RN (APRN) certification, such as a nurse practitioner specializing in neonatal nursing care. Neonatal nurses may choose to pursue graduate programs to become APRNs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/msn/”]Master of science in nursing (MSN) degrees[/hen-ui-link] prepare nurses for certification as neonatal nurse practitioners, leading to a higher salary and more career options.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The steps involved in becoming a neonatal nurse include:[/hen-ui-text]- Detail orientation
- Patient advocacy
- Stress management
- Empathy and emotional intelligence
- Written and oral communication
- Earn an ADN or BSN from an accredited college or university.
- Pass the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/nclex/guide/”]NCLEX[/hen-ui-link] for RN licensure.
- Gain experience working with neonatal patients.
- Obtain certification or pursue an APRN designation, such as a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/neonatal/”]neonatal nurse practitioner[/hen-ui-link].