Common workplace settings include:. The population in the United States is growing, and so is the need for neonatal intensive care nurses. Caring for prematurely born, ill babies while offering support to their families can be one of the most arduous yet emotionally rewarding careers out there. RNs who are considering NICU nursing should have a natural interest in working with infants and their families. Depending on which one you decide to pursue, these degrees types will take between two and four years to complete.
Learners also gain hands-on practice by participating in clinical and laboratory courses. Some schools also offer specialization courses within BSN programs, so interested students can begin learning about neonatal nursing. After graduation, nurses interested in a neonatal nursing career often start out in a general pediatrics unit and work their way up.
However, many hospitals offer a new graduate nursing residency in neonatal nursing, which allows a new graduate to gain paid work experience and additional education on how to care for critically ill infants. In order to practice, RN candidates must obtain state licensure. The exam evaluates basic nursing skills, including health promotion and maintenance, safety and infection control, physiological adaptation, and psychosocial integrity.
Interested individuals must possess an active RN license, 24 months of specialty experience as an RN, and a passing score on a qualifying exam to obtain the credential. The certification rules consider a minimum of 2, hours in direct patient care, education, administration, or research to count toward the experience requirement. To qualify for this credential, applicants must possess 1,, hours in direct care of acutely or critically ill neonatal patients.
This certification also requires a proctored exam evaluating test-takers' knowledge of neonatal care. You can learn more about the salary outlook for NICU nurses with this resource.
Salary and employment trends vary by several factors, including location and specialization if applicable. Industry can also play a significant role in determining nursing employment rates and salaries. The top-employing industries for RNs include general medical and surgical hospitals, physicians' offices, home healthcare services, nursing care facilities, and outpatient care centers.
The top-paying industries for RNs differ significantly. However, the industry only employs RNs. They may require anything from respiratory care to being fed through an IV to ensure their bodies become strong enough to sustain themselves and increase their chances of survival. On any given day, you may also be tasked with:. The field of nursing overall is growing rapidly.
Only experienced, qualified nurses are trusted to care for fragile newborns. For example, Herzing University offers:. Please click through to each program for details.
The test focuses on your knowledge of four specific areas of nursing, including:. That means a minimum of two years experience required can vary by employer working at a hospital or clinic with a NICU providing care to acutely and critically ill neonatal patients and their families. According to NANN , you may choose to focus your attention on becoming a:.
After gaining experience in the NICU, most neonatal nurses choose to take one or more certification exams to validate their knowledge and advance their careers. A number of tests specific to neonatal nursing are offered by several certification organizations, and many enable you to prove your expertise in a specific area of neonatal nursing. For example, nursinglicensure. Becoming a neonatal nurse is not for the faint of heart, but if you possess the knowledge, compassion and critical thinking skills to care for critically ill infants, it can be an extremely rewarding career choice.
Passing this exam allows graduates to apply to the State Board of Nursing for licensure as a registered nurse. Some employers may prefer hiring graduates from a programmatically accredited program. Students are advised to consult with employers of preference as to the importance of this accreditation on their hiring decision.
Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Upon completing this course, learners will be able to:. Explore Course Pricing Learn more about pricing for individuals and institutions, and how to place an order. Hospital and Institutional Pricing. Learn about pricing and how to place an order.
Individual Purchase. For nurses seeking to advance or refresh their skill set independently. Contributors Pediatric Learning Solutions prepares new and transitioning staff for the complexities of caring for children.
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