Overview of Neonatal Nurse Job Duties and Education Requirements
Nov 20, 2014 | 8:00 am
Do you love working with babies? More importantly, do you want to put your energy towards saving children, helping families care for their newborns? Then, this is the career for you, since neonatal nursing is all about making a difference in the lives of families. A neonatal nurse specializes in helping women with their newborns, specifically, the first 28 days after birth. There are four levels of neonatal nursing to be aware of, as defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Level I is for healthy babies and fairly uncommon. Level II is for premature babies or sickly newborns. Level III is for NICU, or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, for babies who require special medical tools to be kept alive. Level IV is for extensive care and may have 24-7 facility services in treatment of life-threatening congenital cardiac problems.
Schooling and Legal Requirements
Neonatal nurses must pass state board licensure and may be Registered Nurses or Nurse Practitioners. Education curriculum may consist of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Even an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree can suffice in some cases. In addition to having the skills of Neonatal Resuscitation EEG interpretation is also important. Naturally, as a patient advocate, you must possess good communication skills and offer emotional support to the families of sickly newborns.
Yes, the field is certainly challenging. Babies are not exactly communicative, so the work is in working with families and doctors to determine the best course of action to treat symptoms and conditions. As a nurse, you must be precise and report all issues with accurate calculations.
Interviews and Reports
Interestingly, prematurely born infants are on the rise as of 2012, possibly due to the prevalence of fertility drugs, as well as drug addiction, and other bacterial or viral infections. Angela Scrivano, RN, BSN, told Working Nurse that some newborns are so sickly, there is a sense of relief in both families and nurses when a baby doesn’t make it and is relieved of excessive pain and suffering. “Sometimes certain babies seemed destined to leave us.” She warns other nurses about the emotional obligations of the field. “For the nurses, there can be a great deal of strain and pressure when you have to keep the interventions going, and it can be quite agonizing.”
An interview with a neonatal nurse hosted by Growing Up Triplets revealed that emotional bonds are quickly formed with families and nurses. “A nurse might be a shoulder you cry on, the person you unexpectedly share first milestones with, and most likely will become a good friend.”
This is among the most intense nursing jobs in the nursing profession and yet it is also one in which there is great appreciation from the families you help. If you love working with children and putting your skills to altruistic use, then this is a job that will make you feel complete. Find out what education is required as you embark upon this exciting new career.