A neonatal nurse performs a very important duty in the first 28 days of a new born baby. They need to be able to give proper attention especially to those babies who were born with critical illness, premature, and those who needs advanced medical attention. Their job is not easy especially because they will have to be very responsible in dealing with the delicate babies.
A neonatal nurse is responsible in providing direct nursing and should carefully monitor the baby’s condition. They are also required to perform regular assessments for the baby’s condition and should also check the respiration, heart rate, vital signs, temperature, and blood pressure of their patient. Some of the other functions of a neonatal nurse involve blood testing, urine testing, x-rays, and or assisting the technician. They will also be the one who will bring the baby to its parents for contact and can also teach them how to feed the baby.
The first few steps and requirements of becoming a neonatal nurse is just the same with becoming a registered nurse. Any neonatal nurse aspirant must complete a 2 or 4 year nursing program to earn a degree in nursing or baccalaureate. After earning the degree, the next challenge for the aspirants is to be able to pass the nursing licensure board examination or the equivalent in your country. Nursing qualifications and or requirements differs from one country to another so it will always be best to check in with your school, or the state where you want to practice your nursing career.
There is a broad field for a neonatal nurse. They can practice in hospitals, clinics, and most especially in pediatric offices. But the duties that a neonatal nurse can perform will also often depend on the setting. Even so, it is still guaranteed that you have a chance of earning a higher salary regardless of where a neonatal nurse is working.
If you have just finished your nursing degree and already have some work experience then you might as well consider doing a voluntary certification in neonatal nursing. Although it is generally optional to get a certification in nursing specialties, still you cannot deny the fact that getting one would increase your chances on being picked by employers. Getting a certification in nursing specialty will also benefit your skills and your confidence on being a neonatal nurse. It can also give a positive effect on your salary range and on your advancement opportunities.
According to indeed.com, the average salary of a neonatal nurse often ranges from $81,000. Being a neonatal nurse, you are guaranteed of a bright future ahead because it is often considered as a recession proof job. Although the ability of an institution to hire a neonatal nurse often depends on their financial capability, still it is no doubt that the skills of a neonatal nurse will always be in demand especially those who have a specialized training in this field.