Neonatal nurses care for newborns experiencing problems, including cardiac malformations, infection, and premature birth. Neonatal nurses give sick babies a fighting chance by monitoring progress, performing tests, and educating parents about how to care for their infant.
Neonatal nurses support women during labor and provide care for newborns. Healthy infants may only require neonatal nurse services for a few days, while sick infants may stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for an extended period of time. Responsibilities include performing cognitive tests, evaluating test results, and providing treatment. These professionals also run NICU equipment and document patient histories. Neonatal nurses regularly communicate with parents which requires a compassionate attitude.
Certification Options: Registered Nurse Certification for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing
Most neonatal nurses work in nurseries and birthing rooms within hospitals. While level II nurseries house less acutely ill patients, these infants still require constant care. Level III nurseries include babies with critical illnesses or babies born before 32 weeks of gestation. Some neonatal nurses find job opportunities in communities or clinics. For instance, nurses may provide home follow-up care for high-risk infants.
Neonatal nurses seeking career advancement generally earn an advanced nursing degree in the NNP specialty. This credential allows professionals to take on more responsibilities. The table below looks at some differences between the two roles.
Neonatal nursing offers a rewarding career in healthcare. Aspiring neonatal nurses can launch their career by earning either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a BSN. While both routes lead to state licensure, students must consider their long-term goals to determine which program best meets their needs.
For instance, current professionals seeking career advancement may want to earn a BSN, while students who want to begin working quickly may prefer an ADN. Candidates should also examine state requirements where they live, as prerequisite details vary. However, the following list describes the general steps required to become a neonatal nurse.
Neonatal nurses earn about $73,880 on average. However, multiple factors influence neonatal nurses’ earning potential, including geographic location, level of education, and experience. For instance, neonatal nurses can earn nearly $49 an hour, but the pay range can vary by as much as $26 depending on location and experience.
Neonatal nurses enter a growing field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics data projects a 7% increase in employment for RNs from 2019 to 2029. This growth should account for about 175,900 job opportunities each year. Openings result from practitioners retiring or transferring into other occupations.
Professionals should note that BSN-holders enjoy a competitive advantage over candidates with an ADN. Similarly, employers favor applicants with extensive work experience or additional specialty certifications.
Find State-Specific Salary Data Here
Neonatal nurses care for babies who face complications after birth, including defects or prematurity. Responsibilities include assisting mothers during birth, monitoring infants, performing tests, and evaluating results. Other duties may include educating mothers on infant care, maintaining patients’ history, and operating NICU equipment.
Aspiring neonatal nurses can enter the field through multiple paths. Professionals who wish to enter the workforce quickly can earn an ADN, which typically requires two years to complete. Students seeking a competitive advantage and intending to earn an MSN may prefer a BSN, which takes four years to complete, on average. Many hospitals offer new graduate nursing programs and residencies and train new RNs specially to the NICU. Most RNs starting out in the NICU will have to precept for more than 12 weeks due to the complexity of care.
A neonatal nurse’s earning potential varies by experience, education, and work environment. Employers may offer salaried pay or hourly pay. Salaried neonatal nurses earn about $73,380 on average, or about $6,115 each month. According to some job websites, hourly neonatal nurses can earn roughly $49 an hour. Based on 40-hour work weeks, hourly professionals make about $5,600 a month.
Neonatal nurses assist mothers during the birthing process and aid newborns who need immediate care. Responsibilities in level II nurseries may include providing intravenous therapy or oxygen. In level III nurseries, neonatal nurses may need to monitor patients with induced hypothermia using a cooling blanket or patients with noninvasive mechanical ventilation.
Elizabeth Clarke, FNP, MSN, RN, MSSW
Elizabeth Clarke is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. A native of Boston, MA, Clarke tired of the cold and snowy winters and moved to Coral Gables, FL in order to complete her undergraduate degree in nursing at the University of Miami. After working for several years in the UHealth and Jackson Memorial Medical systems in the cardiac and ER units, Clarke returned to the University of Miami to complete her master of science in nursing. Since completing her MSN degree, Elizabeth has worked providing primary and urgent care to pediatric populations.
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