How to Become a Neonatal Nurse
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Credit: RubberBall Productions / Brand X Pictures / Getty ImagesKey Takeaways
- Become a neonatal nurse by earning an ADN or BSN degree and passing the NCLEX-RN exam.
- Gain neonatal experience and consider certifications like CCRN or RN-NIC to advance.
- The job outlook for neonatal nursing is strong, with varied work settings and average salaries around $80,000 annually.
Are you a registered nurse (RN) interested in caring for newborns? Neonatal nurses work in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and hospital nurseries, providing specialized care for newborns and their families. Read on to explore the steps to becoming a neonatal nurse, including education, licensure, and certification options.
How Long to Become
4-6 Years
Degree Required
ADN or BSN
Certification
CCRN and RN-NIC
What Is a Neonatal Nurse?
A neonatal nurse is an RN specializing in infant care – from healthy babies to those with complex conditions, such as premature birth complications and congenital heart defects. Duties include monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and managing feedings.
Neonatal nurses receive specialized training and certification. They work in units divided into four levels, including the NICU, maternity unit, and nursery.
Steps to Becoming a Neonatal Nurse
Aspiring neonatal nurses must earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), although additional education and certification are optional. Prospective NICU nurses must hold a valid RN license and fulfill all licensing requirements for the state where they intend to practice.
Most employers require certifications, including:
- 1
Earn an ADN or BSN Degree From an Accredited Program
A neonatal nurse must earn an ADN or BSN from an accredited program to become an RN. An ADN generally takes two years to complete, while a BSN degree takes four years. As many employers prefer BSN-prepared nurses, many nurses enroll in RN-to-BSN programs. Those with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees can earn accelerated BSN degrees in as little as 11-18 months.
- 2
Pass the NCLEX Exam to Receive RN Licensure
After graduation, you can take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to earn your RN license. This exam validates nursing knowledge and ensures competence to practice safely. It is a computerized adaptive test, consisting of 85-150 questions, and you’ll have up to five hours to complete it.
- 3
Gain Neonatal Nursing Experience
As a new RN, develop relevant neonatal nursing skills by starting in pediatrics. You can also pursue certifications in neonatal resuscitation or life support. Level 1 nurseries provide valuable neonatal experience necessary for more acute care settings. Many level 3 and 4 NICUs also offer nurse residency programs.
- 4
Consider Becoming a Certified Neonatal Nurse
Nurses with an active RN license and at least two years of neonatal experience can earn certification to validate their knowledge and experience. Exact requirements vary by certification type. Two organizations offer certification programs for Level 3 or Level 4 nurses: the National Certification Corporation (NCC) and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACCN). The NCC offers the low-risk neonatal intensive care nursing certification for nurses working in Level 2 nurseries.
Neonatal Nurse Education
You’ll need at least an ADN to work as a neonatal nurse, although some positions require a BSN or higher. An ADN is the quickest route, taking two years to complete, but many employers prefer nurses with a BSN.
ADN Degree
An ADN is the minimum nursing degree needed to become a RN and neonatal nurse. This degree provides students with practical experience and offers a quicker entry into the field. Employers prefer BSN-prepared nurses and many facilities are making it the entry-level degree.
- Admission Requirements: High school diploma or GED certificate, official transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, letters of recommendation, minimum 2.0 or 2.5 GPA, prerequisite courses, and a personal essay
- Program Curriculum: Anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, nursing concepts, psychology, and sociology
- Time to Complete: Two years
- Skills Learned: Patient assessment, medication administration, communication, patient education, collaboration, and cultural competence
BSN Degree
Students interested in career advancement can pursue a BSN. These programs provide a comprehensive education and a deeper understanding of nursing theory, research, and practice than ADN programs. The best BSN programs develop critical thinking skills, provide broader career opportunities, and enable nurses to earn graduate degrees.
- Admission Requirements: High school diploma, minimum 2.5 or 3.0 GPA, recommendation letters, essay, background check, and prerequisite courses, including microbiology, anatomy and physiology, and chemistry
- Program Curriculum: Leadership, pathophysiology, research, statistics, advanced health assessment, and nursing concepts in pediatrics, adults, and geriatrics
- Time to Complete: Four years
- Skills Learned: Critical thinking, leadership, health promotion, community health, ethics, and evidence-based practice
MSN Degree
Nurses who want to increase their salary potential and work as advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) can pursue a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree. An MSN is the minimum degree needed to become an APRN. Earning an MSN is not necessary to become a neonatal nurse, but it enables nurses to practice as neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs). Most NNP programs require 2-3 years of NICU RN experience.
- Admission Requirements: ADN or BSN degree, RN license, minimum 3.0 GPA, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and professional experience
- Program Curriculum: Biostatistics for evidence-based practice, advanced anatomy and physiology, clinical reasoning, advanced health assessment, pharmacology, healthcare policy, and clinical management
- Time to Complete: 1-2 years
- Skills Learned: Critical thinking, advanced clinical assessment skills, communication, collaboration, and patient advocacy
Neonatal Nurse Licensure and Certification
All neonatal nurses must have an active RN license and can renew their RN licenses by completing continuing education and practice hours as specified by state nursing boards. Certification is optional but valuable for career development and ongoing education. However, some employers do require extra certifications to work in higher acuity settings, like NICUs and emergency rooms.
For certification through the National Certification Corporation, you’ll need an active, unencumbered RN license; at least 24 months of RN experience; and neonatal nursing employment within the last 24 months. APRNs can earn the advanced practice board certification for clinical nurse specialists (ACCNS-N) through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. Eligibility includes an active, unrestricted RN or APRN license; graduate degree from an accredited program; and completion of 500 supervised clinical hours in neonatal nursing.
Neonatal Nurse Salary and Career Outlook
Neonatal nurses can anticipate strong job prospects due to high nursing demand and expanding neonatal care, due to renewed focus on preventative newborn care and growth of NICUs nationwide. Neonatal nurses work in NICUs, labor and delivery, outpatient clinics, and home health care. Each setting involves distinct responsibilities; for example labor and delivery focuses on supporting newborns at birth, whereas home health care focuses on growth and development.
According to Payscale, as of 2025, neonatal nurses earned an average salary of $79,250. Neonatal nurse salaries can vary based on education and experience, certifications, employer, and location. For example, NICU nurses average $84,130 annually, while a neonatal nurse practitioner makes an average of $120,060 per year.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Neonatal Nurse
It takes about four years to become a neonatal nurse, including time to earn a nursing degree and relevant nursing experience. While it’s technically possible to enter the specialty with an ADN and no experience in about two years, most employers prefer a BSN and prior nursing experience.
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