Neonatal Nursing

The neonatal period is defined as the first month of 
life; however, these newborns are often sick for 
months. Neonatal nursing is a sub specialty of nursing that works with 
newborn infants born with a variety of problems ranging from prematurity, birth 
defects, infection, cardiac malformations, and surgical problems.  Neonatal nursing generally encompasses those infants who experience problems shortly after birth, but it also encompasses care for infants who experience long-term problems related to their prematurity or illness after birth. 

A few neonatal nurses may care for infants up to about 2 years of age. Most neonatal nurses care for infants from the time of birth until they are discharged from the hospital. Approximately 40,000 low-birth-weight infants are born annually in the United States. Because of significant medical advances and the efforts of physicians and nurses who provide for very vulnerable babies, survival rates are 10 times better now than they were 15 years ago.

Many career options are open to neonatal nurses. Many start out as staff nurses caring for critically ill newborns. As a staff nurse you may provide highly technical care for acutely ill infants or supportive care for convalescent or mildly ill newborns. On an average day you may assist a new mom with breastfeeding her infant, care for a very ill full-term infant who is on a ventilator and receiving numerous IV medications, or attend the delivery of a very small and premature infant. You will find many opportunities to work with parents and families as they learn how to care for their infants, and you will help integrate parents into the critical care that you provide. You'll find tremendous satisfaction in watching some of the smallest and sickest babies stabilize, grow, and eventually go home with their families.

As you become more experienced in your neonatal nursing role, you'll find many opportunities to grow professionally and expand your practice. After working with neonates for a time, many neonatal nurses choose to take a national certification test to validate their knowledge. 

YOUR JOB CHARACTERISTICS:

• Fast-paced
• Multifaceted
• Structured
• Patient-facing

Salary: $98,180