So You Want to Become a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse-Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses care for premature and critically ill newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a hospital. As a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse, you'll work under the direction of a physician, caring for newborns, and helping to education their new mothers about their baby's condition, breastfeeding and answering their questions.

So You Want to Become a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses care for premature and critically ill newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a hospital. As a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse, you’ll work under the direction of a physician, caring for newborns, and helping to education their new mothers about their baby’s condition, breastfeeding and answering their questions.

So You Want to Become a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse-Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses care for premature and critically ill newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a hospital. As a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse, you'll work under the direction of a physician, caring for newborns, and helping to education their new mothers about their baby's condition, breastfeeding and answering their questions.

Where You Can Work

Neonatal Intensive Care nurses work in a hospital’s NICU ward.

Things You’ll Do

  • Monitor the newborn’s condition
  • Administer necessary medications to the baby
  • Record the newborn’s progress and recovery
  • Change diapers
  • Hold and comfort the babies in distress

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse Salary & Career Outlook

The median annual salary for a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse is $89,960. The career outlook for this field is an increase of 31% through 2022.

NCLEX Study GuideHow to Become a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse

  1. Obtain a Nursing Diploma AND an Associate’s of Science in Nursing or a Bachelor’s in Science in Nursing
  2. Pass the NCLEX-RN exam
  3. Get several years of clinical experience working with neonatal patients before applying to take your certification exam
  4. Pass the Certification for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing exam (RNC-NIC)

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse ExamsNeonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse Exam Study Guide

To become a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse, you must first pass 2 exams: NCLEX-RN and the RNC-NIC exam. The best way to prepare for both exams is with study aids such as Mometrix’s NCLEX-RN Study Guide, NCLEX-RN Flashcard Study System, and NCLEX-RN Practice Questions. Mometrix also provides RNC-NIC Study Guides, the RNC-NIC Flashcard Study System, and an RNC-NIC Online Prep Course.

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Jay Willis joined Mometrix as Vice President of Sales in 2009, and has developed several key strategic relationships that have enhanced the distribution of Mometrix products. With nearly 20 years of sales experience in the publishing industry, his dedication to providing the highest quality experience for customers, coupled with his sales and marketing expertise, has resulted in significant growth of the Institutional Sales division. Learn more

One thought on “So You Want to Become a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse”

  1. I appreciate the information on neonatal nurses and the benefits of becoming one. My wife is a medical assistant now and she wants to become a neonatal nurse, I had no idea that they could make as much money as it says. She loves to deal with babies, especially new ones, and she loves to be taking care of people. I will be sure to share this information with her, thank you.

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