Nursing Education Routes
The first step is to enroll in an accredited school of nursing. Basic nursing education can be earned by three routes. The baccalaureate degree is earned through a college or university and generally takes 4 years to obtain. This route permits the most amount of flexibility in my career choice.
An associate degree can be earned in two to three years at a junior or community college. A diploma degree can be earned through a hospital-based school of nursing. However, diploma programs are not being used as much in most areas of the United States.
If one has a degree in another field, they may be eligible for an accelerated program through which a degree of a bachelor science in nursing (BSN) or master of science in nursing (MSN) in one to two years. If one wants to pursue work in advanced practice nursing, they will need a master's or doctoral degree.
In the future, a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree will be required to work as an advanced practice nurse. To get in this practice-focused doctoral program, one would need a bachelor's degree. Some nurses who have a master's degree choose to go for a PhD., a research-focused doctorate. …show more content…
When one becomes a registered nurse they will want to work in a hospital with a NICU.
Some NICUs require previous experience in infant care like work in pediatrics or in a well-newborn nursery. However, most NICUs will hire new graduate nurses with a strong interest in neonatal intensive care and have orientation programs that teach nurses how to care for sick infants. Many of educational programs provide introductory information about neonatal care. If you plan to go on to become an NNP, you should practice in a level 3 NICU as a staff nurse before applying to graduate school. These units provide the most highly skilled care to the sickest of
infants.
A college or university education is needed to prepare as an RN takes two or four years, depending on whether students attend a bachelor's or associate degree program. After graduating, students take the state licensing exam to become an RN. There is no special program for neonatal nursing in basic RN education. Some nursing programs have an elective course in neonatal nursing. After one graduates and obtains some experience as an RN in a neonatal intensive care unit (the National Association of Neonatal Nurses recommends two years.) One might want to consider going to graduate school to become a neonatal nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist.
In the Midwest, nurses with no experience may start in the upper thirties to mid forty thousand dollars for an annual salary. On either coast, the salaries are usually higher. In southern areas, beginning nurses start at about $30,000 per year. The upper amount for someone with no experience is $48,000. Salary ranges may be higher with more experience.
As a neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP), I will care for pre-term and full-term infants who are critically ill, growing and having chronic conditions. I will become an expert in neonatal care, managing the care of newborns and infants, while working with parents and families during stress.
A neonatal nurse is a professional who works in newborn care in a hospital setting. They ensure that the babies are properly monitored and that arrangements are made for diapering, feeding, and other infant care before the baby is to go home.
Nurse who work in intensive care unit or who work with premature babies have the responsibility of watching infant development and ensuring that the parents are ready to hand special care needs for the first few months of life.
An associate degree can be earned in two to three years at a junior or community college. A diploma degree can be earned through a hospital-based school of nursing. However, diploma programs are not being used as much in most areas of the United States.
If one has a degree in another field, they may be eligible for an accelerated program through which a degree of a bachelor science in nursing (BSN) or master of science in nursing (MSN) in one to two years. If one wants to pursue work in advanced practice nursing, they will need a master's or doctoral degree.
In the future, a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree will be required to work as an advanced practice nurse. To get in this practice-focused doctoral program, one would need a bachelor's degree. Some nurses who have a master's degree choose to go for a PhD., a research-focused doctorate. …show more content…
When one becomes a registered nurse they will want to work in a hospital with a NICU.
Some NICUs require previous experience in infant care like work in pediatrics or in a well-newborn nursery. However, most NICUs will hire new graduate nurses with a strong interest in neonatal intensive care and have orientation programs that teach nurses how to care for sick infants. Many of educational programs provide introductory information about neonatal care. If you plan to go on to become an NNP, you should practice in a level 3 NICU as a staff nurse before applying to graduate school. These units provide the most highly skilled care to the sickest of
infants.
A college or university education is needed to prepare as an RN takes two or four years, depending on whether students attend a bachelor's or associate degree program. After graduating, students take the state licensing exam to become an RN. There is no special program for neonatal nursing in basic RN education. Some nursing programs have an elective course in neonatal nursing. After one graduates and obtains some experience as an RN in a neonatal intensive care unit (the National Association of Neonatal Nurses recommends two years.) One might want to consider going to graduate school to become a neonatal nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist.
In the Midwest, nurses with no experience may start in the upper thirties to mid forty thousand dollars for an annual salary. On either coast, the salaries are usually higher. In southern areas, beginning nurses start at about $30,000 per year. The upper amount for someone with no experience is $48,000. Salary ranges may be higher with more experience.
As a neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP), I will care for pre-term and full-term infants who are critically ill, growing and having chronic conditions. I will become an expert in neonatal care, managing the care of newborns and infants, while working with parents and families during stress.
A neonatal nurse is a professional who works in newborn care in a hospital setting. They ensure that the babies are properly monitored and that arrangements are made for diapering, feeding, and other infant care before the baby is to go home.
Nurse who work in intensive care unit or who work with premature babies have the responsibility of watching infant development and ensuring that the parents are ready to hand special care needs for the first few months of life.