How much money does a neonatal nurse make per year

Banner Health. Gender Pay Gap. AD NursePractitionerSchools. Dallas, Texas. Additionally, these nurses regularly communicate with the families of newborn babies and need to be able to convey information succinctly and logically.

What Does a Neonatal Nurse Do?

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 mucch, infections, or heart deformities. Neonatal nurses are registered nurses who specialize in working with these young, vulnerable patients. 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. Neonatal nurses work primarily with infants less than one month old, though they might work with children up to toddlerhood. Many of their patients are transferred to the NICU due to premature birth or yaer medical conditions. Neonatal nurses are highly trained in the finer points of caring for momey, including special procedures for intravenous infusions, blood draws, and oxygen administration. Neonatal nurses are responsible for a wide variety of tasks, from changing of diapers to administering medications.

What is a Neonatal Nurse?

Neonatal is one of the least pursued specializations in the nurse practitioner NP field, but one of its highest-paying. Indeed, of 3, respondents to a questionnaire from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners AANP for its national compensation survey, just 1. At the same time, these nurse practitioners reported receiving the highest base salary among eight specialty NP areas. But what do NNPs do? NNPs help provide care and treatment for infants in critical care intensive care units ICUs , and also take on leadership roles due to their advanced graduate-level education. NPs go into this specialty area for a variety of reasons beyond just pay.

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Neonatal nursing is a branch of moneyy 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.

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. Neonatal nurses work primarily with infants less than one month old, though they might work with children up to toddlerhood.

Many of their patients are transferred to the NICU due to premature birth or significant medical conditions. Neonatal nurses are highly trained in the finer points of caring for infants, including special procedures for intravenous infusions, blood draws, and oxygen administration.

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 oer one to four babies, each presenting varying ywar 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 eoes 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.

A small bump in education could translate to a serious bump in pay for neonatal nurses. The work of a neonatal nurse is very valuable; dows, 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 Nuch of Labor Statistics does not report data specifically on neonatal nurse incomes, it does provide information for general nursing occupations. Individuals who earn certifications or an advanced degree can potentially earn even. 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 hlw states where nurses earned the highest incomes in Before students can become neonatal nurses, they must first become a registered nurse. There are three paths to becoming an RN:. This level of education also allows students to pursue a graduate degree, a necessary step in being qualified for advanced positions.

Licensure is required for all registered nurses, regardless of specialty. This mandate extends to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U. Candidates who do not pass the test can take it again in 45 days. Some states have additional requirements for licensure which can be found on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website. A number of NICUs require nurses to gain ydar working with children or infants mame to being hired.

Though an optional step, many neonatal nurses complete certifications to hone their skills and demonstrate competence. The NCC offers numerous certifications for neonatal nurses, including those in intensive care, pediatric transport, and low risk neonatal nursing.

Continuing education credits may also be required to maintain certification. Many students choose to complete this program via online learning, allowing them to continue gaining work experience while pursuing their degree. Working as a neonatal nurse offers many rewards, especially the satisfaction of helping defenseless infants become healthy and strong.

In order to reach this point, yead must first earn a registered nursing credential. The nursing diploma is usually offered in a hospital setting and can take one moneyy two years to complete.

Those considering this option should be aware that the competition for nursing positions neonattal led many employers to seek out applicants who have earned a higher level of education. Many nursing associations are calling for nursing diplomas to be phased out as a path to becoming a registered nurse. The associate pwr in nursing typically takes two years to complete and includes a blend of classroom instruction and clinical mobey.

After finishing their degree and becoming licensed, graduates can move directly into work as a registered nurse. Once obtaining a nursing position, they can begin training for a neonatal unit, maternity floor, or other opportunities leading to work as a neonatal nurse.

This degree level nurxe includes general education courses forming a firm foundation for more advanced nursing courses.

Classes focus on the basic knowledge and skills an individual will need to step into the role of registered nurse. The table below illustrates a few common courses from associate degree programs around the country. Focuses on the basics beonatal nursing practice, caring for anyone from the neonate to the geriatric; includes basic assessment and practical skills.

Studies focus on the maternal newborn population, including working with mothers peer families, newborns including those with health issuesand the transition from hospital to home. Focuses on caring for young children, including assessments, common health problems, dysfunctional health patterns, basic interventions, and outreach for parents, siblings, and other family members. Studies highlight pharmaceutical use in hospital settings, including proper dosages, common drugs, potential interactions and adverse effects, and administration routes.

Those who plan to work as neonatal nurses can tailor their courses to include electives focused yyear pediatric and infant care. The course descriptions below describe actual yyear offered by Bachelor of Science in nursing programs across the country, giving potential students an idea of what to expect during their education. Focuses on research methods used in professional healthcare settings, evidence-based practice, theoretical and conceptual grounding of research, research design, and nurrse to integrate findings into clinical work.

Covers genes and the human genome, including the environmental influences that might change. Specific studies of ethical, legal, moral, and social implications in health care are also provided. Focuses on the health of mothers during childbearing years, as well as family-centered nursing care before, during and after pregnancy; includes the health potential of newborns, handling basic health issues, and conducting assessments.

Focuses on critical decision-making, working closely with other leaders in healthcare settings, prioritizing and delegating, communication skills, and becoming valuable members of a professional nursing team.

Programs typically take two to three years to complete, depending upon how much time a student is able yeear devote to their studies. Most graduate degree level students are working full-time, making online voes a popular option. These classes are typically offered in traditional settings, online platforms, or hybrid programs.

Focus on how to perform an accurate gestational age and health assessment, including pertinent data to collect, identification of potential diagnostic tests necessary, and taking parental health histories. An in-depth view of human genetics, development and developing body systems, with studies from the embryonic stage to the neonate. Environmental and genetic factors are examined, including their corresponding outcomes. Discussion of the various drugs and pharmaceutical interventions suitable for neonates and small children, including varied reactions to certain drugs, correct drug choices, and routes of administration.

A study of the practical applications of nursing knowledge in NICUs, including essential nursery skills, resuscitation, assessment, and laboratory analysis. This is a practical degree offering nurses the opportunity mobey hone their skills to provide better care for NICU patients. This degree is rooted in research, allowing students to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to move into positions at research universities and hospitals.

This degree is ideal for those who want to focus on a very doe point of nursing, such as specialist skills in male care. This degree has a strong focus on investigative amke research skills, and is designed for those who pef to work with or lead research teams.

Those who want to work as hands-on neonatal nurses can earn neonatsl DNP or the DN with an emphasis on neonatal care, preparing them to work in the best NICU units in the country.

Graduates of doctoral programs in nursing will have strong skills and deeply rooted knowledge, honed over years of experience and educational study. Some of the most common skills students can expect to master during a doctoral program are highlighted. Students learn to assess research and translate findings into action.

Understanding the course of illness in an individual and in various populations allows nurses to be better prepared to administer proper treatments and assessments.

The leadership and management skills of a doctoral graduate are finely tuned, giving them the excellent uow to work effectively with those in the highest dows of research and administration. Students who graduate from either a DNP or PhD program will possess a deep knowledge of research and the methods behind it, allowing them to work with research teams focused on new techniques, medications, and practices that benefit children in NICUs.

An advanced education in nursing enables graduates to spot issues in the healthcare system at nkrse micro and macro levels. Not only will graduates know how to identify these issues, they will also have the skills and knowledge needed to implement change. Doctoral graduates possess a deeper understanding of how to use tools specific to the neonatal unit and typically have an awareness of emerging technologies gaining a foothold in the hospital community.

These skills will allow them to teach others how to incorporate advances as they become available. When choosing a neonatal nursing program, it is very important neonnatal narrow down the field with intelligent, clear criteria that ensures a beneficial educational experience. Online schools offer the same high-quality education as brick-and-mortar institutions, but should be held to the same standards as their traditional counterparts.

The following points are very important when seeking out any neonatal nursing program, but especially when choosing from online opportunities. When learning something new, it pays to learn from the best.

It is vitally important pr ensure nursing faculty members are highly trained in specific neonatal issues peg have extensive experience in the NICU. Look for faculty with past or current experience eyar neonates, those who have penned in-depth research papers nufse neonatal issues, and those who are well known in the field for their contributions to the advancement of neonatal research mych practice.

These highly trained individuals not only provide a fantastic learning experience, they can also be great assets for networking upon graduation. A nurse must be licensed in order to practice, and many schools offer great courses that prepare students for questions they will likely encounter on the NCLEX-RN examination.

Courses should provide in-depth preparation for the licensure how much money does a neonatal nurse make per year and highlight any additional epr requirements. Students should seek out schools that incorporate NCLEX-RN prep into the curriculum or offer supplemental courses that review necessary points of taking this particular examination. When a student attends a nursing program, they should graduate with the knowledge and skills necessary to pass the licensing examination and become a registered nurse.

Not all schools are created equal, and some may have much higher examination passage rates than. Information about the passage rates of a pef school can be found either on their website or by calling the admissions office.

The higher the passage rate, the more likely it is that the program has suitably prepared its students. Most nursing programs provide a variety of electives within the nursing field, allowing students to concentrate their knowledge in a particular area. Potential students should review the course catalog to ensure the portfolio of electives available include neonatal topics.

Students should strive to find the school best matched to their goals, and that includes a strong emphasis on neonatal courses. Neonatal nurses should have excellent time management, as they might be working with more than one infant at a time. They should be mobey to communicate clearly hw their colleagues, and be able to provide health updates to parents and family members who may not understand medical terminology. Other top skills include attention to detail, sound judgment and decision-making capabilities, critical thinking, and the ability to teach parents how to best care for newborns facing medical issues.

Professionals looking to enhance their knowledge and skill sets have numerous credential programs available to them, including those offered by the National Certification Nursf. A few of the top neonatal certifications are listed below:. In order to gain certification, applicants must pass an examination and complete a set number of continuing education credits.

Neonatal Nurse Salaries

Here is a list of the most common locations you will find NICU nurses:. In fact, 67 percent of respondents to the aforementioned survey published in the Journal for Nurse Practitioners indicated they made the decision to work as an advanced practice registered nurse in neonatology while actually practicing as a registered nurse. Raise Anatomy Report. Customer Testimonials. By Company. Document patient’s status according to organizational policies and procedures. For Your Business. How much does a How much money does a neonatal nurse make per year Nurse make? Work Culture. Many hospitals feature residency opportunities that allow students with high GPAs to work in their facilities, allowing them to cultivate valuable hands-on experience while still earning their degrees. Individuals can take advantage of more comprehensive neonatal nursing certifications through the National Certification Corporation NCC. Orlando, Florida. Deliver patient care through the nursing process of assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation. Pay Difference by Location Learn more about cost of living by city. Comp Strategy.