Neonatal Nursing Essay
Overview:
Neonatal Nurses are specialized nurses to provide care to the newborns having serious medical problems like prematurity, infection, surgical problems and birth defects after birth. These nurses provide to the critically ill newborns for the first 28 days of their life. But in many cases these newborns may need attention and care for months also. Neonatal nurses provide care to the babies till their 2 years of age. There are approximately 40,000 babies born with low weight in United States annually. It is because of the significant contributions of doctors, nurses and with medical advancements, the survival rates of the babies become 10 times better compare to 15 years ago. The job of a neonatal nurse is highly rewarding as one will get the satisfaction of helping premature and seriously sick babies to recover and go home.
Qualification:
Aspiring neonatal nurses must have at least a degree or diploma …show more content…
in nursing. Students can obtain associate degree in nursing (can be completed in two years) or Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (can be completed in four years). Following this they must have to earn the licensure certification as a registered nurse. A registered nurse may work in a pediatric clinic which will give her the required knowledge and skills to get hired as a neonatal nurse in any neonatal unit of a healthcare institution.
Registered nurses willing to become advanced practice nurses must have to have either a master’s degree or Doctorate degree in Neonatal nursing.
Main Duties:
These neonatal nurses are found to work in different levels of nursery like Level I, II and III providing care to the newborns. Neonatal nurses working in Level I provide care to the healthy newborn babies but due to the short stays of mother and babies after delivery during recent periods, this level of nursery is almost non-existent now a days. Level II is a special care nursery for babies born prematurely. Neonatal nurses give constant attention to these babies needing supplemental oxygen, IV medications, specialized feedings etc.
Level III Neonatal nurses provide high technical care to the newborns who can not get treatment in other two nurseries. It is a neonatal intensive care unit giving ventilations, incubation facilities.
Besides all these work, a neonatal nurse may also help in the delivery of premature infants, education new parents how to take care of the premature newborns
etc.
Job Prospect:
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) report, there will be a 19% increase in the employment of registered nurses from 2012 to 2022. It is faster than the national average. The report of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that12.5% of the babies born in the U.S. are born prematurely which said that there will be a sufficient demand for neonatal nurses. Registered nurses holding a bachelor’s degree, job experience and official recognition may be preferred by employers. Salary:
The BLS reported that the average salary for registered nurses was $66,220 in May 2013 and it varies between $45,630 - $96,320 depending on the experience, educational qualification and job locations etc. Advanced Practice registered nurses in neonatal specialty may enjoy high salaries. According to the BLS report nurse practitioners earn an average salary of $92,670.
Career Advancement:
The care of these neonatal babies requires wide and specialized expertise. There are good opportunities for neonatal nurses to grow in their career and get better job opportunities. With good amount of experience, these neonatal nurses may choose to join a neonatal-transport team. Registered nurses may choose to become advanced practice nurses and holds leadership roles. They may have also the choice to move in the research field and become educators or researchers.
Neonatal Nurses are specialized nurses to provide care to the newborns having serious medical problems like prematurity, infection, surgical problems and birth defects after birth. These nurses provide to the critically ill newborns for the first 28 days of their life. But in many cases these newborns may need attention and care for months also. Neonatal nurses provide care to the babies till their 2 years of age. There are approximately 40,000 babies born with low weight in United States annually. It is because of the significant contributions of doctors, nurses and with medical advancements, the survival rates of the babies become 10 times better compare to 15 years ago. The job of a neonatal nurse is highly rewarding as one will get the satisfaction of helping premature and seriously sick babies to recover and go home.
Qualification:
Aspiring neonatal nurses must have at least a degree or diploma …show more content…
in nursing. Students can obtain associate degree in nursing (can be completed in two years) or Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (can be completed in four years). Following this they must have to earn the licensure certification as a registered nurse. A registered nurse may work in a pediatric clinic which will give her the required knowledge and skills to get hired as a neonatal nurse in any neonatal unit of a healthcare institution.
Registered nurses willing to become advanced practice nurses must have to have either a master’s degree or Doctorate degree in Neonatal nursing.
Main Duties:
These neonatal nurses are found to work in different levels of nursery like Level I, II and III providing care to the newborns. Neonatal nurses working in Level I provide care to the healthy newborn babies but due to the short stays of mother and babies after delivery during recent periods, this level of nursery is almost non-existent now a days. Level II is a special care nursery for babies born prematurely. Neonatal nurses give constant attention to these babies needing supplemental oxygen, IV medications, specialized feedings etc.
Level III Neonatal nurses provide high technical care to the newborns who can not get treatment in other two nurseries. It is a neonatal intensive care unit giving ventilations, incubation facilities.
Besides all these work, a neonatal nurse may also help in the delivery of premature infants, education new parents how to take care of the premature newborns
etc.
Job Prospect:
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) report, there will be a 19% increase in the employment of registered nurses from 2012 to 2022. It is faster than the national average. The report of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that12.5% of the babies born in the U.S. are born prematurely which said that there will be a sufficient demand for neonatal nurses. Registered nurses holding a bachelor’s degree, job experience and official recognition may be preferred by employers. Salary:
The BLS reported that the average salary for registered nurses was $66,220 in May 2013 and it varies between $45,630 - $96,320 depending on the experience, educational qualification and job locations etc. Advanced Practice registered nurses in neonatal specialty may enjoy high salaries. According to the BLS report nurse practitioners earn an average salary of $92,670.
Career Advancement:
The care of these neonatal babies requires wide and specialized expertise. There are good opportunities for neonatal nurses to grow in their career and get better job opportunities. With good amount of experience, these neonatal nurses may choose to join a neonatal-transport team. Registered nurses may choose to become advanced practice nurses and holds leadership roles. They may have also the choice to move in the research field and become educators or researchers.