If you’ve had an interest in becoming a neonatal nurse but didn’t know where to start or how to begin then you have come to the right place.
Becoming a neonatal nurse a rewarding but challenging career field that requires you meet several educational requirements and certification steps before you begin.
As a neonatal nurse you will be specializing in the care of newborn babies. The infants that you will be caring for will range in condition from healthy to seriously Ill requiring specialized care. With that level of responsibility the requirements are rigorous but totally doing if you are focus on the task and committed to completing you goals.
Minimum Education Requirements
A high school diploma or successful completion of a GED is necessary if you have not already done so. You that point you should determine if you have a strong foundation in math and science before you proceed on to the higher educational programs needed to become a neonatal nurse.
While there may be a few nursing diploma programs still around, the more common degree program to become a neonatal nurse is to apply for admission to a 2-year Associates in Nursing degree or ASN. There are also 4-year Bachelor’s Degree programs that you can pursue to afford yourself more options and opportunities within the career field.
Both the 2-year and the 4-year nursing programs will require you to become a licensed and certified as a registered nurse. The requirements to be a licensed and certified nurse vary from state to state but along with the successful completion from an accredited nursing program and submitting any required fees to your particular state if necessary; your next step would be the completion of the NCLEX exam.
Licensure & Certification
The NCLEX stands for the National Council Licensure Examination and is a requirement to become a licensed nurse within the United States. Of the two types of exams provided you will need to focus on the NCLEX-RN exam after you graduate from your nursing program. After you pass the exam you will receive you nursing license and the authority to practice nursing within your state.
Final Step
Finally, the last step on your road to becoming a Neonatal Nurse is to find a job. Since all types of nurses are in extremely high demand you should have absolutely no problem finding an employer in no time. If you visit our neonatal nursing job board you will see the latest and most up-to-date jobs available in your area. With the forecast for an increased demand for nurses and the current nursing shortage, now is the perfect time to pursue your career as a neonatal nurse today!
