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How many years are required for neonatal nursing?

I would like to know how many years I would be spending in college #nursing #nursing-education #neonatal

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Warda’s Answer

Neonatal intensive care nurses, also known as NICU nurses, help provide various levels of care and support to newborn babies and their families. NICU nurses work under pressure and have to use critical thinking most of the time. a typical NICU nurse has a bachelor's degree in nursing plus 2 years of RN experience. Some hospitals hire new graduates right into the NICU without experience. Usually, they offer a fellowship for those interested in working in the NICU.
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Teresa’s Answer

Dear Leah,
The nurses in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) have the same level of education as the other nurses in the hospital- A bachelor's degree is 4 years. Many hospitals encourage or require a 4 year degree, but there may be a few still out there that will hire in nurses who have an associate's degree- 2 years. After you graduate from college with a degree, the different education for being a neonatal nurse is provided on the unit prior to starting the job.

I interview new nurses who have their BSN (bachelor's of science in nursing) and they get their RN (registered nurse) credential when they pass the exam - NCLEX (national council licensure examination). When I hire these nurses, then I provide them with a class that goes over very specific NICU problems that their tiny patients will have. The education for our new staff takes approximately 480 hours of class and shadowing time with a preceptor who is working. Some nurses who have been in the NICU for a time can decide to take a certification exam that proves they are experts in the NICU field. Go to: http://www.nccwebsite.org if you are interested in how this exam works. Nurses are often paid more by their employer if they have this certification. I hope this helps!
Teresa
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Jane’s Answer

Hi Leah,
I started out my career as a Neonatal Nurse first working at a Children's Hospital. I didn't know that I wanted to work in a NICU (Neonatal Intensive care Unit) until I had been exposed to many different age groups. I was lucky enough to then gain my experience at the Children's Hospital. That training and education allowed me to move on to the job that I now have in a community hospital NICU.
The first step to becoming a neonatal nurse is to attend and graduate from a nursing program. The current requirement of many hospitals is that RNs have a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) degree. Any job that you take in nursing will require orientation to the hospital, the unit you work on, and the type of patients you will be caring for. So the time frame for practicing as a neonatal nurse can vary.
Best of luck with your future plans.
Jane
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