Female nurse feeding newborn baby next to incubator

Neonatal Nursing

What You Need to Know about Neonatal Nursing

Neonatal nurses care for newborns, both healthy and ill, until they are ready to leave the hospital. These positions are usually found in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU), but there are different levels of care provided by neonatal nurses, depending on the health of the infant.

Preparation Path

Attain a BSN

Pass the NCLEX and become an RN

Become certified as a neonatal resuscitation provider

Obtain Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification (recommended)

Typical Tasks

  • Managing and carrying out a newborn’s plan of care
  • Administering medications and monitoring the newborn’s condition
  • Providing vaccinations for newborns
  • Changing diapers, feeding, bathing, and comforting babies in distress
  • Interacting with parents and answering their questions about the infant’s medical status
  • Instructing mothers about the importance of breastfeeding
  • Advising parents on how to care for the healthy infant once they are home

Employment Settings

  • Hospitals — often the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Annual Salary Range

$78,224 – $139,028

Certification

RN, plus certification in Neonatal Resuscitation. Certification as a Critical Care Registered Nurse is also recommended.

Education Requirements

BSN

Ready to begin your journey to becoming a neonatal nurse?