Prior to beginning your career as a neonatal nurse and begin your neonatal nurse training, you must first understand the necessary requirements and skills needed for this career, as well as the educational requirements needed in order to become a neonatal nurse.
The job description for a neonatal nurse can differ from department to department and from location to location based on the level of skills and experience required for the particular positions posted, but among all of those positions there are some common similarities.
Neonatal nurses provide care to newborns that are generally under 28 days of life.
The primary function of a neonatal nurse is to provide the initial care and support for newborn babies and their mothers during the initial hospital stay shortly after childbirth.
As a neonatal nurse your career is based on you becoming a specialist in the care of newborn babies. Depending on the level of care those newborn babies need, would determine what level of hospital care they will be place into.
Not all neonatal nurses will work at the same level since there are three different levels.
- Level 1: Neonatal nurses at this level care for healthy or low risk babies.
- Level 2: At this level, Neonatal Nurses care for babies with low birth weights, are born premature or are generally sick after birth.
- Level 3: This level is the most intensive level of care that a neonatal nurse can provide. Commonly referred to as the NICU or neonatal intensive care unit, this level of care is for babies that require the highest level of medical attention due to a serious illness requiring specialized care.
Neonatal nurses should be caring and compassionate, and have a strong care for newborns and infants.
In becoming a neonatal nurse, you will be working in hospitals, medical centers, and women’s clinics providing care and treatment to patients while utilizing specialized equipment like incubators, respirators and ventilators and more.
In today’s job market, neonatal nurses are in high demand and the job outlook over the next few years is extremely promising since neonatal nurses are needed around the clock, nights, weekends and holidays. With that level of support needed you can expect a competitive salary with the average annual salary of around $67,000.
Finally, all neonatal nurses must be at least at the level of an RN or registered nurse. With that requirement comes the educational requirement of at least a 2-Year Associates Degree in Nursing. Most people continue on with their education through the Bachelor and Masters Level to increase their marketability and salary earning potential.
