Neonatal Nursing

Neonates refers to newborn children or mammals that are less than 4 weeks old. NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) professionals specialize in one aspect of a babys health care. The neonatal period is the period from birth to 1 month where a baby transitions from the uterine environment to external world, this includes the initial period after birth which is referred to as the perinatal period. “Neonatal nursing is a subspecialty of nursing that works with newborn infants born with a variety of problems ranging from prematurity, birth defects, infection, cardiac malformations, and surgical problems.” (Nann.org). As a neonatal nurse you can look forward to making a difference in the lives of small children and their families. In many instances,
you may be the voice of ill infants that don’t have one of their own. To become a neonatal nurse, one must go through the process of becoming an advanced practical nurse by first completing the initial training for a registered nurse.
It can take anywhere from 2 to 4 years depending on the school and the pace of the person wanting to complete the degree. Some community college offer associate degrees in nursing which take 2 years to complete. University level colleges offer bachelor degrees which take 4 years to complete. These don’t normally offer nursing specialty tracks but may have optional neonatal nursing electives available. Before getting the job, a person has to go through several intern hours with neonates.
Location is a key factor that influences the salary of a neonatal nurse. California sits at the top of the list with a salary of $90,860, while massachusetts follows behind with a salary of $86,810. In May 2011, registered nurses, included neonatal nurses, reported earning a median annual wage of $65,950 or a median hourly wage of $31.71 nationwide. The lowest 10% reported earning $44,970 or
less. Neonatal nurses may work in a variety of different locations.
This includes the traditional hospital setting in maternity wards or the ICU, they may also work in women’s clinics, private clinics, or as home healthcare nurses. (nursejournal.org) There are three different levels at which neonatal nurses work. In the hospital scene, there are 3 levels of jobs for neonatal nurses. Level one holds those who take care of healthy infants, while those in Level two care for sick or premature newborns. Neonatal nurses responsible for treating severely ill babies work at Level three where they work in the intensive care unit and look after infants in incubators or on ventilators
(work.chron.com). The role of the neonatal nurse emerged in the 1970s as an effect of John F Kennedy’s son who died of respiratory distress and immature lungs. (Prezi.com)
I chose to pursue this degree because I have an interest in helping others. I also love caring for small children. Before researching this topic I wasn’t very sure of what I wanted to major in. After realizing and researching all that a neonatal nurse does, I also realized it’s a career I want to pursue in.