Neonatal Nurse – Career and Education Profile – Career and Education Profile

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Neonatal nurses work with newborns and brand new parents to ensure that the entire family is happy and healthy.

Job Responsibilities

As a neonatal nurse, your job duties will depend on your employer and education level. You could assist with delivery and help new mothers (and fathers) during the first dew days of having a baby (similar to a certified nurse midwife) . However, many neonatal nurses work in intensive care units, working with newborns who were born prematurely or with other complications. In this role, you’ll support a medical team in helping to monitor unhealthy babies, treating any medical conditions they may have and encouraging healthy growth. You may also be involved with communications, keeping the family members updated with the newborn’s condition, and many neonatal nurses take an educator role, helping parents learn about home care for a baby with special needs.

Salary and Career Options

As a neonatal nurse, you can expect to earn $50,000 to $60,000 annually. Many neonatal nurses enter into this career field through first working in another infant- or child-related nursing field, or by gaining adult critical care nursing experience. Because this is a field where extra care is needed, neonatal intensive care units most commonly hire RNs rather than LPNs, and you can increase you chances of finding a high-paying job by going back to school to become an advanced practice nurse.

Educational Requirements

To work as an RN, you need at least an associate’s degree in the field, but by getting a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree, you can take classes specialized for working with infants. While you don’t need any special additional certification after you become a licensed RN to work in a neonatal intensive care unit, the American Association of Critical Care Nursing does offer certification in critical care, which you can pursue after you have some experience in the field.

LPN to RN College Programs

With some additional schooling, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can become a registered nurse (RN), opening doors to more job opportunities and higher salaries. The following is a list of schools with the best online LPN to RN degree programs offered by accredited colleges. You can request information by clicking the college's logo.

LPN to RN (BSN)	Indiana State University—ISU’s LPN to BSN degree program is the only online LPN to RN training program in the United States. LPNs and LVNs who complete this program can earn their NLNAC-approved Bachelor of Science degree in nursing entirely online. Upon completion, graduates should meet all of the prerequisites for becoming an RN. Read an in-depth review of Indiana State University.
LPN to RN LPN to ADN LPN to BSN	The College Network—Earn your LPN to RN (ADN) degree completely online with no campus attendance and no wait list. Learn from the convenience of home at your own pace, and earn an NLNAC-accredited associate’s degree in less time and for less money than traditional campus programs. Read an in-depth review of The College Network.
	Select a subject and degree level, then click "Find My Degree" to browse 100+ online nursing schools offering relevant accredited programs.
BS in Nursing RN to MSN MSN in Nurse Education MSN in Nurse Informatics MSN in Nurse Management	Walden University—Founded in 1970, Walden University is dedicated to providing education for a higher purpose. The Nursing School confers degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s level, which provides further study in health informatics, nursing education, and nursing leadership/management. Walden is one of the biggest providers of online master and doctorate programs with over a hundred degrees offered at each level.
RN to BSN MS in Nursing (MSN) MSN in Adult Health RN to MSN in Nurse Education Accelerated RN to MSN	South University—South University’s College of Nursing offers numerous degree programs for aspiring nurses. Those looking for a BSN degree can enter into the RN to BSN and complete it within 18 months. South also offers the following master’s degree-level programs: MS in Nursing (MSN), MSN in adult health nurse practitioning, MSN in nurse education, and an accelerated RN to MSN.
RN to BSN RN to MSN MSN in Nurse Administration MSN in Nurse Education	Kaplan University—Kaplan University’s RN to BSN and RN to MSN programs feature curriculums that provide registered nurses with the tools to graduate with BSN and MSN degrees. The MSNs in Nurse Administration or Nurse Education feature curriculums that teach methods in management and education in order to prepare students for leadership and educator positions with in the nursing field.