What Education is Required for a Neonatal Nursing Career?

<p>Neonatal nurses have multiple career options that can vary based on the nurse's experience and education. Any registered nurse is qualified to be a neonatal nurse. With some experience in the field, registered nurses can pursue neonatal nurse certification. Neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) are advanced practice nurses. This career requires additional schooling in a master's or doctoral program. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutNeonatalNurses">Important Facts about Neonatal Nurses</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Median Salary (2021)</td><td> Registered nurses: $77,600 per year; Nurse practitioners: $120,680 per year</td></tr> <tr><td>Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td> Registered nurses: 6% (As fast as the average); Nurse practitioners: 46% (Much faster than average)</td></tr> <tr><td>On-the-Job Training</td><td> If you plan to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner, consider working in a hospital with an NICU as a staff nurse before applying to graduate school</td></tr> <tr><td>Key Skills</td><td> Critical-thinking, organizational and speaking skills, detail oriented, physical stamina</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---RegisteredNurseEducation">Registered Nurse Education</h3> <p>All neonatal nursing careers require you to be a registered nurse (RN). There are three ways to become a registered nurse. For the most flexibility in your nursing career, you'll want a 4-year baccalaureate degree that's earned through a college or university. Another option is an associate degree, which can be obtained at a junior or community college in 2-3 years. In some cases, you can obtain a diploma degree from a hospital-based school of nursing. Prospective nurses with a degree in another field might be eligible for an accelerated program to pursue a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) or master of science in nursing (MSN) in 1-2 years. </p> <h3 id="section---RegisteredNurseCertification">Registered Nurse Certification</h3> <p>With at least 24 months of specialty experience, any RN is eligible to be certified in neonatal nursing. The National Certification Corporation (<i>www.nccwebsite.org</i>) offers two RNC certifications: Low-Risk Neonatal Nursing and Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (<i>www.aacn.org</i>) offers the Neonatal Certified Critical Care Nurse credential (Neonatal CCRN-K). To qualify, nurses must pass an exam in acute/critical care nursing. Applicants for any of these certifications must have a valid RN license and work experience in clinical nursing care of newborns. </p> <h3 id="section---NeonatalNursePractitioners">Neonatal Nurse Practitioners</h3> <p>To pursue a career in advanced practice nursing, you must have at least a master's or doctoral. With a graduate degree from an accredited nurse practitioner program, licensed nurses can pursue the National Certification Corporation's neonatal nurse practitioner certification.</p>