Neonatal Nurse Salary is between $65,119 – $121,514 annually and $32.11 – $60.14 per hour according to data from PayScale. This is a specialized nursing profession, that focus on the care of new-born babies. The neonatal unit is almost related to the intensive care unit for adults, this is so because babies in crisis and challenges are almost emergencies.
Most premature babies, babies with jaundice, complication during child-birth and other challenges are admitted into this unit. The babies cannot talk and it requires specially trained people to treat babies. The nurses assigned to care for babies are trained neonatal nurse.
A neonatal nurse is a trained practitioners take care of premature infants and newborns, who need special attention due to congenital heart diseases, respiratory troubles, low birth weight, or other disorders and abnormalities.
Neonatal Nurse Training and Education
A neonatal nurse must complete a 4 year bachelor’s degree in nursing, and must be a registered practitioner after the training. Then go ahead for a master degree this is done to ensure nursing licensure as a nurse practitioner. This is followed by courses and certification in neonatal resuscitation and neonatal intensive care courses.
In all practical hospital experience in required during and after training. Nursing degree path can a diploma, associate’s degree, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). A state license is required before you can practice as a nurse.
The NCC lists the following requirements to take the RNC-NIC exam:
- Current RN license in the United States or Canada
- One of the following:
- At least 24 months experience working with critically ill infants as an RN
- A minimum of 2,000 hours of specialty experience in neonatal health that includes direct patient care, education, administration or research
- Employment related to the neonatal specialty within the past 24 months
American Association of Colleges of Nursing recognizes these three levels of care at which neonatal nurses work with the newborns:
- Newborn Nursery CareAt this level, NNPs deal with the full-term and healthy infants.
- Intermediate Care NurseryNurses working on this level takes care of the infants who are premature and require special attention.
- Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery NNPs take care of seriously ill infants, who need constant monitoring.
You can pursue your education up to a doctorate level in the nursing profession. They quite a number of schools you can attend online or on-campus.
Neonatal Nurse Job Description
The neonatal nurse job may be tasking, but it is very rewarding. Some of the duties of a neonatal nurse include the following:
They are responsible for one to four babies, each presenting varying needs and challenges.
- Babies in their care are fed by them and diapers changed at intervals.
- The nurse give the babies their medications at the right time
- Monitor babies performance and inform the parents about the babies progress.
- Maintain and use technology equipment for monitoring and care of the baby.
- Tracking the weight of the infant and other important parameters.
- Order and interpret test results and recommend treatment of patients.
- Performing procedures like blood draws and intubation, and diagnostic tests like ultrasound.
- Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment and counsel patients.
- Monitoring ventilators, incubators, and other specialized equipment.
- Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.
- Administer therapeutic procedures.
- Provide physicians with assistance during surgery or complicated medical procedures.
Neonatal Nurse Salary
The neonatal nurse salary is quite competitive and attractive. The various employers influence the salary the neonatal nurse receives. They commonly work in specialty clinics, delivery rooms, emergency rooms, neonatal intensive care units, pediatric clinics, etc.
Payscale puts the salary range between $65,119 – $121,514 annually and $32.11 – $60.14 per hour. This may be affected by geographical location, skills, level of education, training, certifications, reputation and employer.
A projected 26% growth in job vacancies is expected between 2010 and 2020 (Source: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics)
The interest in neonatal nursing might be low, it is one of the highest paying specialization in nursing.
I had no idea that neonatal nurses took care of so many different responsibilities. I had no idea, for example, that they assisted surgeons. I have a sister who’s thinking about trying to become a neonatal nurse, and this was a great way to know what she’s going to be doing. Thanks for sharing.