Becoming a neonatal RN requires several years of schooling. This nursing specialty area is very exciting; sometimes the littlest patients require the most care. Some of the infants in neonatal ICU spend months in the hospital. You not only care for the patient, but also the parents who are often incredibly stressed by the situation. If you’re interested in learning how to become neonatal nurse, one great way to begin is by enrolling in one of the many online nursing schools that are out there. Here are some of the other things you should remember:
- Know the neonatal nurse job description. A neonatal nurse is a specialty nurse who focuses on administering care to infants 28 days old and younger. They are trained to handle a wide variety of cases, such as healthy newborns (level I), and special care (such as premature babies) and critical care infants (at levels II and III). They are also trained to handle specialized equipment related to administering care to infants.
- Start early. Know that there are so many people who aspire to become part of the nursing profession, and it pays to start nursing training early to gain an edge over the competition. Start getting your training as early as high school by taking subjects and electives in the sciences, such as biology, chemistry, math and physics. Get high scores on your SATs, so you have a better chance of getting into your top school of choice. As much as possible, you should also volunteer in local hospitals so you get an idea about the ins and outs of the healthcare profession.
- Obtain your nursing degree. There are two pathways to obtaining your nursing degree. Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four year program. The focus is on patient process, sciences and leadership skills. An Associates of Science in Nursing (ASN) is the two year option. It is sometimes known as ADN depending upon the classes taken and degree conferred. Both the two year degree and the four year degree take the same licensing exam and are subject to the same state regulations. You may be wondering why anyone would take the four year program if two years starts you at the same level. Some hospitals pay a higher salary for BSN prepared nurses. Also BSN prepared nurses are generally preferred for management positions. Finally, a BSN is a prerequisite for advancing on to a master’s or doctorate degree.
- Take the licensing examination. To become a Registered Nurse, you must take and pass the NCLEX-RN, the state board of nursing exam. Your license will need to be renewed every year or two depending upon your state’s regulations. Some states also have continuing education requirements for license renewal.
- Enroll in a nurse internship program. The majority of hospitals now have nurse internship programs. You may be fortunate enough to be able to intern in the neonatal area. If not, do your internship in the hospital where you want to have your neonatal career. Once your internship is complete and you get some practical experience, transferring to the neonatal area should be relatively easy. Nurses who work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) will take additional classes on specific procedures, equipment and treatments that are unique to infants.
- Complete credentialing requirements. After two years of experience the neonatal nurse will be eligible for credentialing. Several certifications are available depending upon your area of specialization. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurse (NIC), Low Risk Neonatal nurse (LRN), and Neonatal Pediatric Transport (NPT) are just a few. Another certification is Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN). This test covers adult, pediatric, and neonatal intensive care nursing.
- Know what to expect of your salary range. The salary range for neonatal RNs closely mirrors that of other nurses. If you are working in a NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) your salary will generally be higher than those nurses working in the well baby nursery (level I). Salaries for NICU nurses are between $30,000 and $90,000 depending upon location and experience level. Those nurses on the coasts and in large university hospitals make more than those working in smaller hospitals. Those salaries at the high end reflect nurses who have several years of experience.
- Be prepared for the job outlook. Neonatal nursing jobs are expected to grow at a faster rate than other jobs. This is due to the increased number of multiple births. Those infants tend to be born pre-term and require level II or level III nursery time.
- Move up in the ranks. A Master’s of Nursing in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) is available. A Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) is gradually becoming the new standard for advanced practice nurses. This may very well be the way you choose to go. There are so many options in nursing.
These are the important steps to take if you’re interested in becoming a neonatal nurse. Remember, making the extra effort to make you more in demand as a nurse will certainly be worth it in the end.