Do you have an interest in becoming a neonatal nurse and working with newborn babies, often times with some severe conditions?
Many people have accepted the call to help others by taking the steps necessary to become a nurse. You can do the same and go on to achieve great things, as a Neonatal Nurse.
So you may be thinking to yourself; Where do I start? How to I begin? Well below we have put together an admittedly, over-simplified, five-step list on how to become a Neonatal Nurse to guide you through the process and focus your time and efforts on your journey.
Step #1
Apply for, get accepted, and then successfully graduate from an accredited nursing program. No problem right! Either a two-year or four-year degree is required with most employers leaning towards a Bachelor’s in Nursing.
Step #2
After graduation from your nursing program, you should start preparing to take the NCLEX-RN exam. Successfully passing the NCLEX exam is required in all 50 states to be allowed to practice as a nurse, so as a neonatal nurse, you’ll need to pass this exam as well.
Step #3
Contact your state’s Board of Nursing and complete the licensure requirements, which may include payment of certain fees. Ensure that you remain in compliance with your particular state’s nursing requirements as well as continuing education training.
Step #4
Now that you’ve completed all of your educational and training requirements, passed the NCLEX, and have become fully licensed to work as a nurse in your state, now you need to find a job, preferably one within the Neonatal Unit if possible or at least one where you can shadow another more experienced neonatal nurse so that you can learn on-the-job and gain that much needed experience yourself.
Step #5
From Step 4 you can perform and work as a Neonatal Nurse and have a great career, but many nurses decide to continue their education on through to a Master’s in Nursing (MSN) and then are more qualified to advance to a position as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.
