Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
What is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner?
A neonatal nurse practitioner’s job description
A neonatal nurse practitioner is a part of the medical team that specifically cares for premature newborns and infants. They work independently or co-dependently with other members of the medical team in a neonatal intensive care unit. They may also choose to practice pediatric nursing or pediatric nurse practitioner duties in specialty clinics or in a hospital setting.
Most neonatal nurse practitioners are found in intensive care units since premature infants have a multitude of special medical concerns. To be able to care for premature babies a neonatal NP must be able to have knowledge and skills to care for low birth weight infants, to care for babies with respiratory distress and many other abnormalities that may come with being born premature.
A nurse practitioner works independently from a doctor and may not require a doctor’s recommendation for any assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of conditions of premature infants.
A neonatal nurse practitioner requirements
As with any type of nurse practitioner, a neonatal nurse practitioner has to be a registered nurse and with at least a master’s degree in nursing. He is required to have undergone advanced courses in neonatal care or pediatric nursing in his master’s program in nursing. Aside from the required knowledge and skills to care for premature newborns, he must also possess an innate behavior to care for children especially newborns that need special care.
There are special continuing education courses that a neonatal nurse practitioner can pursue to be able to function and care for premature newborns like infant CPR, intensive care unit skills and knowledge and many other skills beyond an ordinary nurse practitioner may have. He must also possess social skills to deal with infant’s family and caregivers especially when the care or the loss of a premature infant is prevalent.
Certification to practice his profession is needed after completing a master’s degree just like any typical nurse practitioner. This is usually from accredited nursing associations like the American Nurses’ Association and many other governing bodies.
A neonatal nurse practitioner career
Being a neonatal nurse practitioner is not only a financially rewarding career but also a psychologically gratifying experience. Since this is considered one of the specialty areas in nursing practice, it commands a higher salary range than most nurse practitioners. He may receive anywhere from $60,000.00 to $90,000.00 in a year. There are also benefits that come with working as a neonatal nurse practitioner like medical and dental benefits, hazard pay, night differential and allowances.
Medical experts who work closely with premature infants usually feel a certain gratification when their patients survive neonatal intensive care. Some even develop a special bond with their patients and this attachment is a priceless benefit that any nurse practitioner may have.
It is therefore important to learn all the necessary skills, knowledge and mindset to become a successful neonatal nurse practitioner in any setting. Being equipped with all these may be the only lifeline to a newborn’s recovery.