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Neonatal Nurse Salary
A neonatal nurse's job is to care for newborn babies up to 28 days after they have been born. Every year, about 40,000 babies are born with a low birth weight and require special care. Neonatal nurses are responsible for monitoring the newborns and their equipment and taking vital signs every hour. They will record the baby's blood pressure, weigh them, and record how often they have eaten and had dirty diapers. As you are aware, not all babies are born healthy and they may require special care. Neonatal nurses can take on this responsibility as well. These nurses can choose whether to work with healthy, sick or premature babies. Neonatal Nurse Job Overview Neonatal nurses work in hospitals. Nurses can work in different 'levels.' The three levels determine the type of babies they will be caring for. Level I is healthy babies. This is not as common because most healthy babies and mothers leave the hospital within a couple of days and they often stay in the same room. Level II is the middle ground. These babies may be premature or sick and may be placed on oxygen, IVs and their feedings are regulated. These babies need special care compared to healthy babies and will stay in the hospital a little longer. If they are premature, they will have to stay until they are developed enough to leave the hospital. Level III is considered to be neonatal intensive care. These levels are usually located at children's hospitals instead of where the mother has delivered. The babies in this level are the babies who are too unhealthy for the other two levels and they will stay here for the first 28 days. This level is where tiny babies, premature and very sick babies stay. Some of these babies may need surgery, ventilators to breath and incubators. These babies are very fragile and most are fighting for their lives. They need constant care around the clock. These babies are hooked up to machines and IVs and neonatal nurses are there to give them a human touch and feel loved. These neonatal nurses are also responsible for teaching the new parents how to care for their fragile baby. They can teach them feeding techniques, giving them medicine and frequency, how to hold the baby properly and how to care for the baby in their state. These babies will stay in the hospital a while until they are healthy enough to come home. Some babies will stay in the hospital a few months, depending on their condition. Sometimes when they finally do come home, the parents still need to give the special care, and they can be taught how to do this by the neonatal nurses. Therefore, a neonatal nurse not only interacts with the babies, but also the families of the babies they are caring for. This job requires people who have compassion not only for babies but for their families.
Education Most neonatal nurses are required to have received their degree from an accredited registered nursing program and a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Some may even have their Masters of Science in Nursing. After receiving their education, most employers will require that the nurse have three years experience working in a hospital. They must show that they are exceptional nurses with leadership skills and capability of making decisions in a stressful environment. They also must have received certification as a Neonatal Resuscitation Provider or in Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing. Some may also be neonatal nurse practitioners.
Neonatal Nurse Career Outlook The field of health care is an excellent field to start a career in. Not only do you have the satisfaction of helping other people every day, you have the job security that comes with being a neonatal nurse. This career path is expected to continue to increase its prospects. During the next 10 years, the demand is predicted to dramatically increase. With higher demand comes higher pay as well. Neonatal nurse practitioners can make an average of $74,000 a year in the United States. The Neonatal nurse salary range is between $50,000 and $83,000 a year. San Diego and Philadelphia are the two cities in the United States with the highest median neonatal nurse salary. Add Your Comments about The Salary Payscale Employment Guide: Name: Latrenda Leslie Date: Saturday, Apr 23 2011 Senior Year is ALMOST over, Graduation Date: June 9,2011. I'm getting closer to beginning my career as a neonatal nurse. I can't wait. I wanted to be a Pediatrician all my life...but I want to spend more time with babies..I will keep payscale updated on my career as a neonatal nurse Name: Sherina White Date: Friday, Apr 22 2011 My name is Sherina White and I'm a student nurse at Georgia Southern University. This is the field that I have dreamed about since deciding to become a nurse. As a matter of fact, I was able to watch a live C-section today! YAY!!! Name: Casie Vining Date: Wednesday, Apr 20 2011 I've always been waiting for the day I get to become one but i'm in eith grade now so I have 5 years of high school left then college Name: Abigail Date: Thursday, Apr 14 2011 Hello to everybody.Im 14 years old and i have been wanting this job since i could talk...I always look at the requirements and the colleges and training you have to go through to get this job...I feel like this is a great opportunity to help babies fight for their lives..Even through all the stress and depression iv'e gone through i just think about the preamies and that keeps me stronger and on the right track...i am going to feel so proud to see the babies i and well all of us that want to become this see the kids we took care of alive.. Name: Sally De La Cruz Date: Thursday, Apr 14 2011 i would love to be one im 17 but im still deciding with working infants my whole life or with infants and children like a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. i love children and infants. idk what to do :/ Name: Kayla Date: Tuesday, Apr 12 2011 :) my names kayla im 14 and i want to have this carrer so much. I love babies and would love to feel like i made a difference early on in someones life. Name: ariana Date: Tuesday, Mar 22 2011 my name is ariana and i have always dreamed of bieng a neo natal nurse because i love babies ! im 15 and im really looking forward to doing this.ive looked at all the courses needed and it all sounds good. so im going to take all the steps needed to get there ! thank you- Name: Kayla Date: Thursday, Mar 17 2011 I'm 12 years old, I always knew I wanted to be a nurse, although I always have wanted to work with little babies. I recently googled what a neonatal nurse was, and that is what I wanna be! I love babies, and I want to be able to take care of them and help them! I have officially decided this is what I wanna be. My dream. Name: Kayla Date: Tuesday, Mar 08 2011 im 14 , and my future plans is to become A Neo Natel Nurse, im sooo excited and ready to care for the babies ! Name: Diana Date: Saturday, Feb 26 2011 I Know That This Is What I Want To Study When I Graduate Form College : D Name: Paige Date: Tuesday, Jan 18 2011 I'm 15 and I really want to become a neonatal nurse!! Name: Latrenda Leslie Date: Sunday, Nov 21 2010 I just turned 18 and its my SENIOR year. My childhood dream career was to be a pediatrician. I realized that I wanted more time with babies and found out about neonatal nursing. I can't wait to be a neonatal nurse. I love babies. I can't wait to help them. Name: Mandy Chesworth Date: Tuesday, Oct 26 2010 I am 42 and have just started a childrens nursing degree! Its never too late to follow your dream, being a neonatal nurse is what I've always dreamed of. Name: nubia duque Date: Thursday, Sep 02 2010 i am seventeen and i have a girl of my own i want to become a neonatal nurse since i was little. Name: Markyta Pomerlee Date: Wednesday, Sep 01 2010 Im 17 and I am going to get my Bachlor's or Associate's (not sure yet) degree in Nursing. I cant wait to graduate next year and start my education to be a neonatal nurse!! Name: kristina Date: Monday, Aug 30 2010 Kristina Valenzuela Sunday August 29, 2010. Name: ashley Date: Friday, Aug 20 2010 Im 15 and I have wanted to be a neonatal nurse for 4 years now after my niece was born premature and i'm already taking a health occupation class at my high school. I can't wait to become a neonatal nurse. Name: frances knaggs Date: Friday, Jul 09 2010 im 13 and cannot wait to become a neonatal nurse!!!!! Name: Tiffany Date: Monday, Jun 28 2010 I'm 15 and i really want to become a neonatal nurse!! Name: ellesse Date: Wednesday, Jun 23 2010 im starting collage this is what im doing Class of 2010!!!woot woot Name: Adriana Date: Thursday, May 13 2010 Im 13 & iAlso want to become a neonatal nurse :) I cant wait until iAccomplish my dream job Name: Jill Chamberlain Date: Monday, Apr 19 2010 I am a neonatal nurse, have been for 20 years. These salaries are your ba Name: marissa Date: Tuesday, Apr 06 2010 i am 13 years old and i want to become a neo natel nurse when i am able to.this was great to know and i hope i can succeed and become a neo natel nurse!i want to do this job because i have always been very good and gentle with babys.thank you Name: tiffany daughtery Date: Friday, Mar 26 2010 i wannnna be a neonatal nurse (: Name: Antonia Mullins Date: Wednesday, Mar 24 2010 i love babies and want to become a neonatal nurse but im not old enough yet Name: Antonia Mullins Date: Thursday, Feb 25 2010 The baby 's face looks funny!! Name: tenisha white Date: Friday, Jan 29 2010 I LOOOOVVVVEEEE BABBYYYS! goood job guys! =]]] Name: tenisha white Date: Thursday, Jan 28 2010 i like how you made all the questions answered easily i had a packet to fill out and this totally answered it thx! |
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I'm Morgan and I want to help babies in the future!