1. NEONATAL NURSE 1
Neonatal Nurse
Madelyn Kay Westmoreland
Health Sciences Early College Academy
Mrs.Sanders 1st session

2. NEONATAL NURSE 2
Abstract
In the life of a neonatal nurse in the workforce, I’ll explore the daily routine and benefits of
working in the hospital setting, specifically in a specialized facility; along with the required
education for this position, which produces the average salary also discussed. This will explain
what schools offer the program necessary to becoming a neonatal nurse. Including the specific
kind of person it takes to help ill babies that are less than one pound in weight, then how this
research has influenced my decision for the future, and what next steps I may take. This study
will indicate specifics in the field of work I wish to pursue as a career for the rest of my life. The
research conducted was pulled from multiple reliable sources, in effort to making these
important life decision for myself and for informing others also interested in the field.
Keywords: Neonatal, Nurse, Education, Hospital, Salary, Future

3. NEONATAL NURSE 3
Neonatal Nurse
Neonatal nurses are responsible for care of newborn infants from birth to typically
discharge from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Neonatal nurses are nurses with
specialist training in neonatal care, received through a class taken or program from the hospital
where employed. They care for babies with multiple health issues from prematurity, to surgical
recovery, to long term care from birth; the nurse will work closely with the family and baby
throughout the hospital stay. Typically neonatal nurses will work a 12 hour shift, depending on
the facility employed. Some hospitals offer a 8 or 10 hour shift as well. Throughout a shift, the
nurse will monitor the babies in the NICU who are on breathing treatments such as a ventilator,
or any other medications or machines to improve their health. According to Study.com,
“Neonatal nurses perform a number of tasks with patients, including providing treatment,
performing tests, documenting patient history and running equipment. They may also be called
upon to work with a patient's family to comfort or educate them.”(para.6 Neonatal Registered
Nurse: Job Description and Educational Requirements). The neonatal nurse plays a crucial role
in the delivery of care to not only the patient but the family as well, because the infant doesn’t
have a voice of their own yet. And the parents are typically scared out of their mind, so a
comforting nurse that checks their babies health every couple hours can really help ease new
parents of a sick baby. Care is required of these babies around the clock, but a nurse’s schedule
is typically a regular day; although it becomes difficult to see tiny humans deteriorating at the
rate they do in the NICU, no matter how much the doctors and nurses do. But the benefit of
seeing those kids after their 4th birthday has to be the most rewarding part of the job. A strong
reason why I want to become a neonatal nurse.

4. NEONATAL NURSE 4
Not only does a neonatal nurse benefit from saving little lives, they typically get health
benefits from the hospital that they’re employed in. All depending on the hospital they work at,
benefits will vary. Although most medical facilities require nurses to work weekends, and
holidays. Along with benefits such as dental and medical insurance, nurses also receive a
retirement fund. Again, the coverage of this fund or savings account falls back on the specifics
of coverage. But due to the salary of a speciality nurses, retirement funds usually are not slim.
Nurses have multiple tangible benefits such as the insurance, along with job security. Nurses are
always needed in the United States, let alone a specialized nurse. Nursing positions are actually
multiplying and the rates are growing. Typically nurses don’t have to worry about their job being
lost, which is a great reason why I want to become a neonatal nurse. I wish to pursue this career
still not only because of the benefits, but because of what comes day to day. It will be so
satisfying to care for babies every day.
Again, neonatal nurses typically work in hospital settings, specifically in the NICU.
Working in multiple positions as nurse is also available, such as staff nursing; where the nurse
provides the direct care primarily. I want to be a staff nurse to get plenty of patient care hours,
and the satisfaction of helping those tiny humans. Another position available is nurse manager,
where leadership is key role in the nurses shift, along with providing direct care for the patient.
And yet another, would be a NNP (Neonatal Nurse Practitioner) where the nurse practitioner
works alongside the doctors while providing critical care. This title/position requires a masters
rather than a bachelor's degree in nursing. Hospitals that provide neonatal care are highly
specialized in the field of neonatology because the infants typically require a fair amount of
around the clock care by multiple health professionals. Nurses are always in the hospital just in

5. NEONATAL NURSE 5
case the infant's need immediate care, if a doctor is not directly available. The nurses must
always be alert and ready for anything, the small size of the human body in neonatal cases make
providing health care that much more difficult. But the nurses are essentially the foundation of
the hospital. Which I would love to be a part of.
Education requirements for a typical neonatal nurse includes at least a bachelor's degree,
specifically a BSN (bachelors of science of nursing). After obtaining an associates degree from a
two to three year university or community college in some cases. Then a class to get a
certification of specialization in neonatal intensive care, provided by the hospital employed
typically. In order to proceed down the route of a NNP, a MSN (Masters of Science of Nursing)
is required along with a certain amount of patient care contact hours. Essentially, it is required to
be a RN (Registered Nurse) or obtain a BSN and apply practice in the neonatal intensive care
unit. And I plan to pursue the route of a BSN due to todays competitiveness of nursing,
especially because I plan to specialize.
Through employment in the hospital setting, salary and wages can be fairly substantial.
For a neonatal nurse in the state of Michigan, the average annual income comes to $67,000.
Standing at that rate, I could see myself living well with a BSN as a nurse in the NICU. And it is
certainly possible, for the rise in need for registered nurses and nurses with a BSN due to the
competitiveness of the field, continues to grow. The projected growth for registered nurses in
Michigan is 14% from 2014 to 2024, (BLS) a very rapid rate for a professional and medical
occupation. And that’s for nurses in general, not just specialized nurses, so with a BSN I have
many opportunities of employment prior to graduation. Whether it be the desired neonatal field I
aim for, or anything else I could imagine. So I should have no problem finding employment

6. NEONATAL NURSE 6
once I become a nurse. I have confidence in the workforce to supply the jobs needed, and that
I’m interested in.
In order to be a successful neonatal nurse, you must obtain compassion and dedication to
your place of employment. The nurse must also have a passion for helping others, specifically ill
babies in a fragile state. Any nurse should be physically fit due to the long hours on their feet and
the physical challenges faced in a nursing profession. Which for one I possess, I love working
with babies, and helping people in their time of need. These nurses provide care to not only the
babies, but to the families. They reassure the parents and family members that the hospital is
doing all they can for their child. So those factors together make me ecstatic to start working
with infants in the NICU. I find myself the best candidate to becoming a neonatal nurse in a
hospital setting.
Overall, I want nothing more than to become a neonatal nurse in a hospital prior to
graduation. I will not stop applying myself 100% in my academics, and I’m determined to make
this dream a reality. I plan on attending Grand Valley State University’s nursing school at
Kirkhofs College of Nursing, after possibly attending Grand Rapids Community College to
complete my prerequisites in order to be admitted into the nursing school. I will gain patient
care hours with my CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) by working in a hospital or nursing home
while going to college. Grand Valley State University’s nursing school is one of the most
competitive in the West Michigan area. Therefore a high GPA in high school and college, and
an impressive class record is helpful for admission. Upon graduation, I hope to be employed at a
hospital in the Metropolitan downtown Grand Rapids area, and be trained in neonatal intensive
care within the facility. I have a passion for medicine and medical care, and I cannot wait to be

7. NEONATAL NURSE 7
able to do just that every day and make a living off of it. This research has just made the dream
come real and put into perspective. I have been researching this profession for years now and I
could not be more sure about what I want to do for the rest of my life.

8. NEONATAL NURSE 8
References
D, H. (2011, July 21). Benefits Of Neonatal Nursing | Benefits Of. Retrieved November 10,
2016, from http://benefitof.net/benefits-of-neonatal-nursing/
Is a Career in Neonatal Nursing Right for You? (n.d.). Retrieved November 8, 2016, from
http://nann.org/professional-development/what-is-neonatal-nursing
Neonatal Registered Nurse: Job Description and Educational Requirements. (n.d.). Retrieved
Neonatal Nurse Salary. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2016, from
http://www.indeed.com/salary/Neonatal-Nurse.html
November 9, 2016, from
http://study.com/articles/Neonatal_Registered_Nurse_Job_Description_and_Educational_Requir
ements.html
Summary. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2016, from
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Registered-nurses.htm