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.