How to Become a Neonatal Nurse in 5 Steps

Steps to Becoming a Neonatal Nurse

Students wondering how to become a neonatal nurse or how to become a NICU nurse and specialize in working with newborn babies can follow a few basic steps to begin their career:

• Education
• Licensure
• Work Experience
• Certification
• Advancement

Students wanting to know 'how long does it take to become a neonatal nurse?' need to keep in mind that it depends on their desired level of education. Neonatal nurses typically need 2 to 6 years of postsecondary education. Below we discuss the steps for how to become a baby nurse in more detail.

Step 1: What Degree Do You Need to Be a Neonatal Nurse?

NICU nurse education requirements vary based by employer, but these nurses must be a Registered Nurse (RN). Students can become an RN by completing a diploma, associate's, or bachelor's degree program in nursing.

While there is not a specific neonatal nurse bachelor degree program or neonatal nursing major, students can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which may be preferred or required by hospitals. Neonatal schooling is more likely to take place during clinical experiences where students rotate through different specialty areas, such as pediatrics. Students interested in working with children prior to birth may wish to investigate how to become a prenatal nurse, or those wanting to work with children beyond their infancy may consider becoming a pediatric nurse.

Step 2: Obtain a Nursing License

To become an RN in the United States, students must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) after completing their accredited nursing program. To register for the exam, students must apply to their state's nursing regulatory body (NRB) and obtain an Authorization to Test (ATT).

Step 3: Work in a NICU

Once they become an RN, students can begin seeking neonatal nursing positions. Depending on the NICU, some units may prefer candidates who already have some work experience in another related area, such as pediatrics or labor and delivery. Other NICUs may provide training opportunities or residency programs for new RNs looking to get their foot in the door.

Step 4: Pursue National/Specialty Certifications

Many NICUs require RNs to at least have their Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), Basic Life Support (BLS), and/or Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certifications. Neonatal nurses may also choose to advance their careers or specialize in a particular area with specialty certifications like:

• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-NIC)
• S.T.A.B.L.E. Program
• Critical Care Neonatal Nursing (CCRN (Neonatal))

Step 5: How to Become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Another way to advance in the career is to become a nurse practitioner by earning a master's degree. There are even some Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs with a specific major in neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP). These degree programs typically require extensive hours of clinical experience.

Neonatal Nurse Salary Information

According to PayScale.com, the average annual salary for a NICU RN was $62,378, as of June 2019. That website also reported that a neonatal nurse starting salary was $57,384, while NICU RNs with 5 to 9 years of experience made $65,168.

Also, as of June 2019, PayScale.com reported that the average annual salary for an NNP was $98,312. This average annual salary is expected to increase with years of work experience, as the website reported NNPs with 20 years or more of experience made an average of $115,945.