Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

What is a Nurse Practitioner

Admin — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 23:59:56 +0000

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

Becoming a Nurse Practitioner: What You Need to Know
What is a nurse practitioner’s job?
If you want to know what is a nurse practitioner then read on. A nurse practitioner or simply NP is a registered nurse who has finished advanced education in the field of nursing with a special focus on the management, diagnosis and treatment of disease. A nurse practitioner has a minimum requirement of a master’s degree in nursing. He is considered an integral part of the medical team that provides individualized patient care as opposed to a regular nurse that may care for multiple clients or patients at the same time.
He can take a patient’s health history, perform physical exam as needed and may also order lab tests and diagnostic procedures even without a doctor’s recommendation. He can also write prescription medication, coordinate with other members of the health team, treat diseases under his capabilities and possibly manage the entire treatment process on his own. Apart from the usual diagnostic and medical management procedures, he also plans healthy activities with patients and the patient’s family.

What is a nurse practitioner job description?

The work of a nurse practitioner in general is focusing on individual patients in a variety of conditions. What is a nurse practitioner is different from a nurse or a medical professional in the sense that he does jobs that may be expected of a nurse plus he can work even without a doctor’s supervision. Depending on state laws, a nurse practitioner may need to pass a licensure examination and a may be required to undergo special training on advanced medical studies and nursing practices.
What is a nurse practitioner may depend on the area where an NP is. Here are some of the common jobs that an NP has:
•   A nurse practitioner can prescribe medications in any area he is assigned to.
•   He can provide prenatal care for mothers and family planning services for couples as well.
•   A nurse practitioner can provide basic services for newborns which include newborn screening and well baby immunizations.
•   Even without a doctor’s recommendation, he can order and interpret diagnostic procedures like lab tests, X-rays, ECGs and EKGs.
•   A nurse practitioner can diagnose and treat medical illness of children, adults and geriatric patients.
•   Finally, a nurse practitioner can provide referrals to other medical professionals. He can also advice counseling and patient education plus possible treatment options for certain illness and diseases.

What is a nurse practitioner requirement?

In order to practice his profession, a nurse practitioner must finish his master’s degree and pass a state licensure examination for NPs. A national certification for nurse practitioners is offered through the American Nurses’ Association, the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board and other governing bodies for nursing practice. It is also important for aspiring nurse practitioners to get advanced training on medical and nursing practices like acute medical care, pediatric care, intensive care and family nursing. Trainings and certifications are also available in various nursing associations as well.

Neonatal Nursing

Admin — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 23:53:23 +0000

What is Neonatal Nursing?

All about Neonatal Nursing
What does neonatal nursing mean?
Neonatal nursing is providing nursing care to newborn infants up to 28 days after birth; it is also the provision of special care to premature infants as well. The word neonatal is from the term neo which means new and natal which means birth. Neonatal nursing is a specialized field of nursing care that focuses on the care of newborns and premature infants in an intensive care unit or in a hospital nursery unit.
Newborns are cared for by neonatal nurses under the watchful eye of pediatricians and specialists. Newborn infants may need special care like bathing, feeding, cleaning and medication that only a neonatal nurse may provide. There are also other members of the medical team that may replace a nurse in this situation like midwives and nursing assistants but must first undergo special training for newborn care and other appropriate continuing education programs.
Aside from healthy newborns, neonatal nursing also focuses on the care of premature infants or newborns born under term. Premature infants may need to be confined in an intensive care unit for a more specialized care; illnesses or abnormalities that may accompany this condition are often the main reason for continuing hospital care.

What are the qualifications of working in a neonatal nursing unit?

A nurse must be a registered nurse to work in a neonatal care unit. A graduate of an Associate’s Degree in Nursing may also work here as well. Special skills that are learned through continuing education and training may help but not required. Special skills and knowledge in newborn care, neonatal intensive care, infant CPR, administration of medications, infant ventilator support and surgical care are the most common competencies that a neonatal nurse must have to be able to advance in this field.
Nursing schools and medical institutions may offer continuing education and training for neonatal nursing while other RNs prefer to study online. There are many online sites that offer paid training that can be done even with a nurse’s busy schedule.

The professional benefits of neonatal nursing:

There are tremendous benefits of working in a neonatal nursing unit; aside from being financially rewarding, priceless professional growth is earned as well. Neonatal nurses have a better pay grade than other nurses in other hospital departments. Aside from the pay, there are institutions who offer bonuses for working in specialized areas of the hospital such as emergency care, surgical units, intensive care, delivery rooms and neonatal units. Working as a part of the medical team in a hospital setting may also provide other perks like medical benefits, dental benefits and night differentials.
Personal and professional growth is also a guarantee when you work as a neonatal nurse. There is an undeniable feeling of pride when you help premature babies improve and to see infants get discharged healthier than ever before. Nurses who may want to specialize in the care for newborns that are healthy and may need intensive care may choose to work in a neonatal care unit.

Neonatal Nurse Salary

Admin — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:48:21 +0000

Neonatal Nurse Salary

A neonatal nurse salary range
Knowing what is a neonatal nurse salary range is may make you want to become one in the future. Being a neonatal nurse practitioner is a very rewarding career. Aside from the high compensation that this type of nurse practitioner receives, he may also be rewarded with professional growth, priceless medical knowledge and experience plus personal growth and personal gain that may not be worth anything in the world.
First of all, a neonatal nurse practitioner may receive a higher compensation range than most nurse practitioners since this is considered a special field in the medical and nursing profession. He may receive anywhere from $60,000 to $100,000 annually. This salary range may of course differ due to many factors.

A neonatal nurse salary and benefits

Aside from a neonatal nurse salary or compensation, there are amazing benefits in tow as well. If he works alongside the medical team in a hospital setting, he may get medical benefits, dental benefits, night differential, hazard pay and a special compensation bonus for working in a specialized area of the hospital. If a nurse practitioner works locally, he may also enjoy some discounts or educational scholarships for continuing education expenses.
If a neonatal nurse practitioner chooses to work abroad, there is a more attractive neonatal nurse’s salary common for most medical professionals. A higher pay plus attractive benefits like travel packages, free lodging, free training or educational expenses for advancement and medical benefits also await those who may want to work internationally.
A neonatal nurse practitioner earns something more than monetary compensation or material benefit; she also reaps personal gain and gratification in saving the life of premature infants. Infants who are born premature are solely dependent on life support and the specialized and individualized care of neonatal nurse practitioner. It is thus important to look further than the material gains that any member of the medical field receives but also what you have done to make a difference.

Factors that influence a neonatal nurse salary

There are factors that may influence a neonatal nurse’s salary. The location often makes the difference in any professional career. A job in the city or in the metropolitan area pays more and may have a better benefits package than a job in the outskirts of the city. A medical job abroad on the other hand offers the highest compensation range with a variety of attractive benefits in tow. A more experienced neonatal nurse practitioner may command a better and higher pay than others who may have fewer years of experience. Experience and skills may also be measured through certification and this may be done through continuing education or training.
There are continuing education courses through medical and nursing schools for neonatal nurse practitioners. On the other hand, there are online courses to take for those with a tight schedule. Either way, continuing education may help a nurse to develop better skills and acquire new knowledge to use for his career advancement.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Salary

Admin — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:42:33 +0000

How much is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Salary?

How much is a neonatal nurse practitioner salary anyway?
It is but normal to ask how much is a neonatal nurse practitioner’s salary especially when you want to pursue a career as one. A neonatal nurse practitioner is a registered nurse you takes care of newborns and premature infants in a neonatal unit or a nursery department in a hospital setting. Premature infants with extra special medical needs on the other hand are placed in a neonatal intensive care unit where neonatal nurse practitioners work in close collaboration with other members of the medical team.
A neonatal nurse practitioner’s salary may be higher than other nurse practitioners in other fields since a neonatal care unit is considered a specialty area in a hospital setting. Most neonatal nurse practitioners receive around $60,000.00 to $100,000.00. The great difference in rates or compensation may be dependent on many factors.

Factors that affect a neonatal nurse practitioner salary:

There are several factors that directly and indirectly affect a neonatal nurse practitioner’s salary:
•   The clinic or hospital location affects a neonatal nurse practitioner’s rate. Typically, a hospital located in a prominent city or area gives a much higher compensation for neonatal nurse practitioners while clinics and hospitals located in out of the city limits may just give the average rate.
•   A tertiary hospital may have a higher compensation rate than a government hospital in some countries or places.
•   A neonatal nurse practitioner’s years of experience in the field may command him a higher salary and a promotion as well.
•   A neonatal nurse practitioner’s expertise as a result of continuing education can merit him a higher compensation and benefits.
•   A neonatal nurse practitioner may earn more if she also teaches part time as a clinical instructor in a nursing school. After finishing her master’s degree, she has the option to pursue a nurse practitioner career or teach as a profession.

Benefits aside from a neonatal nurse practitioner salary

There are attractive benefits aside from a high neonatal nurse practitioner’s salary rate. Working in a hospital usually commands medical and dental benefits in tow for the employee and his family as well. There are also night differentials, holiday pays, bonuses and allowances that are a part of a neonatal nurse practitioner’s compensation package. There are also hospitals and medical institutions that offer discounted or sponsored continuing education programs that may be very attractive for nurse practitioners in any field.
Working as a neonatal nurse practitioner also has its personal gains. Being able to help others is a great feeling for any neonatal nurse practitioner. There are also great ways to master your skills, develop new skills and acquire new knowledge by working as a neonatal nurse practitioner or any type of nurse practitioner for that matter. Caring for healthy newborns to sick infants may also be a challenging experience to remember and a rewarding one as well.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Admin — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 23:39:44 +0000

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.