Want to become a nurse practitioner but don't have a bachelor's degree? Pay high attention to detail: very precise documentation of care is a vital part of nursing in the NICU. © Copyright 2003-2020 Neonatal Nurse: Educational Requirements for a Neonatal Nursing Career. Neonatal nurses and neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) can work in clinics, in hospitals or as consultants. The infants in these facilities require very sophisticated care. Their responsibilities may vary slightly depending on whether they are a registered nurse or a nurse practitioner. The Council offers two exams; the NCLEX-RN is for registered nurses and the NCLEX-PN is for licensed practical nurses. What's the Job Description of a Neonatal Nurse? Depending on your career choice, you may be required to complete both undergraduate and graduate degree programs in nursing. How to Become a Neonatal Nurse in 5 Steps, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Career, Employment and Education Info, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner: Career and Salary Facts. These types of NICUs are usually located in community hospitals. Job Outlook For NICU Nurses Via Houston Chronicle. The projected job outlook for all nurse practitioners, according to the BLS, is around 31% for the period of 2014 to 2024. Be highly flexible – your workload and number of patients can vary widely by day. This means that newborns who a few years ago probably would not have survived, will now have a better chance to live a full life. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Schools and Programs, Best Online Bachelor's in Finance Degrees, Emergency Room Technician Certification and Classes, Certified Coding Associate (CCA) Career and Certification, Online Courses for Aspiring Safety Supervisors and Technicians, Online Associate Degree in Human Resources Management. The job outlook for nursing professionals of all types is expected to be strong. These programs are sometimes offered online, with clinical experience completed at a local neonatal care unit. DNP degree-holders become nurse practitioners (NPs), healthcare administrators, nurse educators, and researchers. Find out about the types of jobs you could pursue in neonatal nursing. What are the Advantages of Attending Public Colleges? Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. It can be particularly challenging when a nurse must deal with a newborn that will probably not survive. Read on to learn more about career options along with salary and licensure information. According to Indeed.com, the average national salary of jobs for Neonatal Nurse Practitioner was $77,000.00 with a high confidence ranking based on over 250 sources. No problem. Employment for all nurse practitioners was projected to increase 28%. As a neonatal nurse, you are a registered nurse working in a specialty field. In terms of job outlook for neonatal nurses there are three main factors that work in your favor: There has been an increase in fertility treatments There has been an increase in multiple births There has been an increase in premature births Both advancement in technology and increasing incidents of prematurity have led to a positive job outlook for neonatal nurses. You'll introduce new mothers to caring for their newborns, and you may give additional care to mothers and infants who've undergone cesarean section procedures. Career Outlook for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses Both advances in technology and the frequency of premature births have contributed to a strong job outlook for neonatal nurses. The Neonatal Nurse's … This should help to keep the demand for NICU nurses strong for the foreseeable future. Neonatal Nurse Job Description Template. The programs generally qualify you for registered nurse certification. PayScale.com reports that the median salary for neonatal nurses is about $64,074, with the mid 80% of salaries falling roughly between $43,000 - $100,000 as of 2019. Be very adept at handling stress, as NICU work is very tough and demanding. Be highly skilled in communication and education, especially as you teach families how to care for their infants. The majority of NICU nurses are staff RNs who are responsible also for newborn babies that have congenital defects and complications in delivery. RNs in a Level II NICU may work on three or four patients at once, but in a Level III, the nurse will work will only one or two patients. Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **PayScale.com. ... Neonatal Nurse … Before initially becoming a nurse, you'll need to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) provided by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (www.ncsbn.org). What is the Job Outlook for a NICU Nurses? Your basic job duties include caring for patients, administering medications, checking vital signs, providing basic medical care and educating as well as providing emotional support for patients' families. Our guide provides information about becoming a neonatal nurse, including their responsibilities, where neonatal nurses work, education and certification requirements, salary and job growth data, and relevant resources in the field. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Job Outlook. Becoming a neonatal nurse requires formal education and licensure as a registered nurse, and then on-the-job training. RN-to-MSN online programs provide an accelerated route for registered nurses to earn their master of science in nursing degree. American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Job Outlook. This is critical so that these critical patients can gain weight, and increase their chance of survival. A NICU nurse can work in either a Level II or Level III NICU. A lot of opportunities await NICU nurses in the United States, with a 22% growth in job positions expected between 2010 and 2020 (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. Neonatal nurses work with pediatricians and physicians to provide care to newborn babies. Nurses pursuing their doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degrees attain the highest level of education in the profession. You must be a registered nurse and have completed a master's degree in neonatal nursing to be eligible for the exam. This means that newborns who a few years ago probably would not have survived, will now have a better chance to live a full life. Level III NICUs are usually in the largest medical centers and also in children’s hospitals. Application and exam fees differ depending on the examination method. Generally, neonatal nurses work with preterm babies and infants up to the age of two. Diploma, associate's degree or bachelor's degree, Monitor patient's status and vital signs; administer prescribed medication, diagnostic tests and treatment; operate and monitor medical equipment; maintain patient records, Examine patient and monitor newborn status and vital signs; prescribe and administer medication and therapeutic treatments; order diagnostic testing and analyze results; assist physician with examination and treatment, Licensure as RN is required; board certification is available, Licensure as RN is required; board certification as neonatal nurse practitioner is available, Neonatal Nurse: Career Summary, Job Outlook, and Education Requirements. They primarily work with infants who are ill or are premature and require medical care. The maximum salary for nurses, usually in advanced practice and at least with a master of science in nursing, is around $95,000. The bachelor's degree programs are often geared toward working nurses. In terms of job outlook for neonatal nurses there are three main factors that work in your favor: There has been an increase in fertility treatments; There has been an increase in … Become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner in 5 Steps. The Bureau of Labor Statistics finds that the field of nursing overall will grow rapidly by 2020, with a 26% increase in nursing jobs.It is expected that NICUs across the country will continue to expand, as technology is improving. Employment for all nurse practitioners was projected to increase 28%. What Are the Education Requirements for a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner? Your basic job duties include caring for patients, administering … As reported in The Atlantic, about one million registered nurses (RNs) working today (about a third of the workforce) are over the age of 50. Physician assistants perform many tasks that are similar to those of a nurse practitioner, and may be responsible for ordering and administering tests, recording the test results, and recommending treatment for patients. What is the Average Salary for a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner? The Top Direct-Entry Master’s in Nursing Programs 2020, Best Online Nursing Schools and Programs 2020, Nurse Practitioner Neonatal Icu – $109,000, Nicu Clinical Nurse Specialist – $124,000, © 2020 NurseJournal.org, a Red Ventures Company. The median salary for all RNs according to BLS is $64,000. As a neonatal nurse, you'll monitor vital signs, order diagnostic tests and make initial readings of those results. NurseJournal.org is an advertising-supported site. October 15, 2020 | Staff Writers. You also may eventually move into more advanced nursing practice roles or possibly work as a discharge planner. 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