Neonatal nursing is a branch of healthcare that focuses on providing care for infants who were born prematurely, or are suffering from health problems such as birth defects, infections, or heart deformities. Neonatal nurses are registered nurses who specialize in working with these young, vulnerable patients. Many neonatal nurses work in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU), providing highly specialized medical care to at risk newborns. This guide offers details of the profession, including the needed education, skills and credentials, an interview with someone who has worked in a neonatal unit, and what students can expect in terms of salary and job growth after graduating from a neonatal nursing program.
What Does a Neonatal Nurse Do?
[dig-deepersubtitle="Neonatal Nursing Career Basics"description="Neonatal nurses work primarily with infants less than one month old, though they might work with childrenup to toddlerhood. Many of their patients are transferred to the NICU due to premature birth or significant medicalconditions. Neonatal nurses are highly trained in the finer points of caring for infants, including special proceduresfor intravenous infusions, blood draws, and oxygen administration."panel_subtitle="Neonatal Nursing Careers In-Depth"]
Neonatal nurses are responsible for a wide variety of tasks, from changing of diapers to administering medications. During each shift in the NICU, they are responsible for one to four babies, each presenting varying needs and challenges. Many work with the same infants until they are discharged, but some may provide home-based care. Those with advanced certifications work as part of surgical teams or assist in high-risk labor and delivery situations.
Though the neonatal period is technically defined as the first month of life, the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) states that the duties of a neonatal nurse have evolved to include work with children beyond that age. Some neonatal advanced practice registered nurses may care for full term babies with medical issues, sometimes working with a child beyond their second birthday.
[/dig-deeper]A small bump in education could translate to a serious bump in pay for neonatal nurses. According to Payscale, neonatal nurses made a median salary of $59,598, while neonatal nurse practitioners earned $92,259.
Neonatal Nurse Salaries
Salary Guide
The work of a neonatal nurse is very valuable; indeed, infants in precarious medical situations depend on their expertise for survival. Though rewards go far beyond money, financial incentive is still a consideration for those who are intending to pursue this career. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report data specifically on neonatal nurse incomes, it does provide information for general nursing occupations. As of May 2014, the median annual income for registered nurses was $66,640, while those in the 90th percentile earned $98,880 annually. Individuals who earn certifications or an advanced degree can potentially earn even more.
In addition to their level of training and experience, neonatal nurses might find varying salaries based on geographical location. The list below highlights the top five states where nurses earned the highest incomes in 2014:
California
Hawaii
Massachusetts
Alaska
Oregon
