How to Become a Neonatal Nurse

Neonatal nursing can be a rewarding profession for many reasons. These nurses provide care for some of the most vulnerable patients and families, have many opportunities for professional development, and work in a high-demand field with considerable job stability.

Let’s explore the steps to becoming a neonatal nurse. These healthcare professionals commonly work in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). This guide covers the education, licensure, and certification required to become a neonatal nurse.

We also explore salary and job outlook data, which are strong for this field. Read on to discover how to become a neonatal nurse.

A neonatal nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who specializes in the care of newborn infants. These babies have health problems such as infections, complications from premature birth, and congenital heart defects, among others.

Neonatal nurses receive specialized training and certification. They work in neonatal areas that are typically divided into four levels.

Level I neonatal nurses care for healthy newborns. Also known as “well-baby care,” their work can include providing direct treatments, monitoring development, performing tests, and evaluating test results. They also prepare families for life after they leave the hospital.

Level II neonatal nurses can, in addition to Level I care, treat infants in special care nurseries, providing critical therapies like supplemental oxygen, IV therapy, and specialized feeding.

Level III neonatal nurses have the formal designation of “NICU nurse.” These nurses care for newborns with severe illnesses or complications. Infants sometimes require complex care, including mechanical ventilation and intricate surgery.

Finally, the Level IV NICU designation indicates the hospital has the capacity to provide surgical repair and maintains a full range of pediatric subspecialists. Nurses qualified to work in Level III nurseries can also work in Level IV NICUs.

Aspiring neonatal nurses must first earn associate degrees in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degrees. Each candidate looking to become a NICU nurse must hold a valid RN license and fulfill all licensing requirements for the state where they intend to practice.

Most employers require certifications, including Neonatal Resuscitation, Basic Life Support, and, less commonly, Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Neonatal nurses may also pursue advanced degrees, including master of science in nursing (MSN) and doctor of nursing practice (DNP) programs. The MSN and DNP degrees both prepare nurses for certification as neonatal nurse practitioners.

There is more than one educational path into neonatal nursing. For example, nurses can begin by earning ADN or BSNs. Neonatal nurses can also pursue graduate degrees, including MSNs and DNPs.

Neonatology is one of the most specialized fields in nursing. Nurses must have advanced skills to assess and treat conditions specific to some of the most vulnerable patients. Neonatal nurses must have the skills to care for newborns with infections, congenital disorders, complications from premature birth, and low birth weight.

All neonatal nurses must hold valid RN licenses to practice. They also need to complete continuing education and practice hours to renew their licenses as stipulated by state nursing board requirements.

Neonatal nurse certification can advance nurses’ careers, validate their specialized knowledge, and demonstrate a higher level of clinical competence. Employers may require neonatal nurses to hold certifications to work in NICUs, emergency rooms, and neonatal specialty units. Some states require neonatal NPs to hold certification to get licensure.

Two organizations administer neonatal certifications. The NCC certification requires an active RN license, at least 24 months of RN experience, and a passing score on the qualifying exam. Learn more about earning an RNC-NIC certification.

The AACCN offers certifications for RNs and APRNs, including the critical care RN neonatal specialty certification for nurses who provide direct care to neonatal patients with acute or chronic conditions. This credential requires each applicant to complete 1,750-2,000 hours in direct care and pass the certification exam.

After graduating, nurses can seek positions in the field by building connections within professional organizations and clinical placements. Nurses should use career resources offered by their educational institutions, stay on top of job openings in healthcare facilities, and seek professional networking opportunities.

It’s important to keep your resume up-to-date and be well-prepared for interviews. Neonatal nurses can find employment in hospital neonatal intensive care units (NICU), labor and delivery, outpatient clinics, and home health care. These work settings offer unique opportunities for neonatal nurses to make a difference in the lives of newborns and their families.

According to ZipRecruiter, as of 2024, neonatal nurses earned an average salary of $128,211. Several factors affect compensation level, including education and experience level, certifications attained, employment setting, and location.

Neonatal nurses working in urban areas will likely earn more than nurses in rural communities. As with most RN and APRN roles, new neonatal nurses can anticipate a promising job landscape. The increased focus on preventive care for at-risk births and the expansion of neonatal intensive care units throughout the country have increased the demand for these specialized nurses.