Because of the advances in scientific and medical technology, more and more premature and seriously ill infants are able to survive.  Their survival also depends on the skills of Neonatal Nurses, who are responsible for providing specialized care essential for the survival and normal development of the premature.

Neonatal Nurses work in hospitals, neonatal intensive care units, clinics, and a variety of community-based care facilities.  They work in secure, immaculate, well-lit surroundings.

Neonatal Nurses, like all nurses, must be detail oriented, caring, patient, responsible, compassionate, and able to work efficiently as part of a team.  They must be able to make quick and wise, decisions, and  function efficiently in stressful situations.  Neonatal Nurses must be emotionally stable and able to accept the fact that, in spite of all that medicine can offer, some of their tiny patients will not survive.

Neonatal Nurses usually work in eight hour shifts, but these shifts involve nights, weekends, and holidays.  These nurses also work on-call.  Overtime is common.

Neonatal Nurses, are very well paid for their work.

Neonatal Nurses begin by caring for healthy infants.  With training and experience, they advance to care for some premature and sick infants, and eventually obtain the skills necessary to work in intensive care units with the premature and critically ill.  These are the nurses that are in highest demand.

The duties of all nurses are similar.  Neonatal Nurses perform similar duties but with the tiniest residents in the population.  This care demands special skills.  Neonatal nurses work together with neonatologists, other doctors, other professionals, and parents.  They perform and evaluate tests, analyze medical histories and records, administer medications, check ventilators, set up incubators, and check infant responses.  They teach parents how to properly care for their infants when they are able to return home.

Education

Because Neonatal Nurses are a specialization of registered nursing, they must first obtain their registered nurse status.  This mean completing a four year Bachelor of Science in Nursing, BSN, degree.  It is possible, if you hold a degree in another discipline, to get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree through an accelerated program of from twelve to eighteen months.  These programs are given in both Colleges and Universities.

Nursing education involves both academic courses as well as practical experience in clinical settings under the direct supervision of licensed professionals.

After obtaining a BSN, nurses must then obtain a license to practice.   To do this, candidates must have completed an accredited training program and then pass a national licensing exam, known as the NCLEX-RN.

Some states have additional requirements and additional exams that must be passed.  Investigate thoroughly to make sure you understand the requirements of the state in which you wish to be employed.  Some state licenses apply only in one state, others have cross-state acceptability.

Neonatal specialists will receive additional training  as they advance to positions of greater responsibility.

Those that wish to advance to become Neonatal Nurse Practitioners, NNP, need to obtain a Master of Science Degree in Nursing before they can become licensed to practice.

Neonatal Nurses, with the right training and experience, are able to advance to positions in education, management, and research.  Some work as consultants.