Neonatal Nurse Salary
Do you love babies and want to ensure that they have the best chance in life? When a baby is born early, he or she may require a stay in the neonatal intensive care unit. Nurses who work in this area must have specialized training to carry for the tiniest of humans. In order to become a neonatal nurse, you will first need to obtain either a two or four year nursing program to earn an ADN or BSN.
Once this has been completed, you must pass the NCLEX exam to become a registered nurse. Then and only then may you start work as a neonatal nurse. No specific programs have been designed to train nurses in this field, but some employers will want you to have ER or ICU experience. Consider the neonatal nurse salary when determining if this is the career for you.
Neonatal Nurse Salary
The average neonatal nurse salary is $63,000. This will depend in part on what education you have obtained. The Council of International Neonatal Nurses maintains statistics in this area and says that those who obtain a BSN bring in between $56,000 and $80,000 a year. Neonatal nurse practitioners with neonatal experience and an MSN make anywhere from $56,000 to $190,000 a year. This will depend in large part on where you live and work as well as your job duties.
Neonatal Nursing Duties
Neonatal intensive care units were first introduced in the 1960s. Neonatal refers to the first 28 days of an infant’s life. Children end up in the intensive care unit for a number of reasons. A level one unit is for healthy newborns and your duties will be that as seen in any regular hospital nursery. In a level two unit, newborns with an illness or those who arrive early are treated. A level three unit is reserved for those infants who are critically ill and need specialized care. If you choose to work in a level three unit, more education will be needed.
Neonatal Licensing and Certification
For those who have two years of experience in a NICU, the option of becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner is offered. Here you will need to complete a program which is offered as a graduate degree. This allows you to become certified and licensed in this field and many are choosing this option as job opportunities are numerous for those who have completed a program of this type.
Job opportunities will be significantly higher for those prospective neonatal nurses who have proper licensing and certification. As well, those willing to relocate should have higher success tracking down great job openings. Don’t be afraid to do some research online into job opportunities in different states.
This is an incredibly rewarding career path that has a very decent salary attached to it. If you like the idea of helping babies in the first moments of life, helping them to grow strong and healthy then we certainly recommend you do some further online research into certification and licensing. Remember that becoming a neonatal nurse requires specific training that goes beyond the norm for nurses. There is plenty of great online information available. Good luck!
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