We all need to work – it’s one of those facts of life, like taxes and chores. Whether part-time, full-time, casual, or contract, we all have bills to pay. And there are so many career paths to choose from. Some people want to be teachers, others doctors. Others still prefer to learn a trade and start their own business, while others might get into tech or IT.
Usually, you can find a job that matches your interests, skills, and knowledge.
For others, a job is merely a means to an end, a way to pay the rent and bills, and they look to hobbies and interests to find fulfillment.
Whatever your stance, you probably can’t avoid having to choose a career.
One field you may be interested in is neonatal nursing. This helpful article will discuss NICU nurse education requirements and what role a neonatal nurse plays in a hospital setting. Read on to find out more.
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What Does a Neonatal Nurse Do?
Neonatal intensive care (or NICU) nurses, otherwise known as NICU nurses, play a significant role in caring for newborn babies and their families and loved ones. They care for healthy newborns and those with health complications, birthing trauma, or challenges.
The job suits people who can work well under pressure, as well as those who want to help newborn babies and their parents and families. Neonatal nurses work in teams and collaborate with pediatric doctors, surgeons, social workers and other health professionals.
Most neonatal nurses work in specialized intensive care units designed to treat newborns. They provide care and support for the first month of a newborn’s life. They can also care for premature babies. The level of care provided will depend on the baby’s needs, and the role a NICU nurse plays will vary depending on the hospital and local settings.
The Different Types of Care a NICU Nurse Can Provide
Neonatal nurses can provide different types of care to suit what the newborns in their unit need. For instance, healthy newborns receive care at the first level of responsibility, which is essential, and includes monitoring the newborn to ensure it is healthy.
Some of these duties include:
- Providing education to families about caring for their newborn
- Working with doctors, other nurses, nutritionists and surgeons to ensure the baby is cared for
- Providing basic care such as nappy changes, skin care, and positioning
- Administering medications as prescribed by a doctor
- Managing fluid intake
- recording vital sign observations and documenting a baby’s care
- initiating basic CPR in an emergency.
However, newborns with a disability or illness or who are premature and have specific needs receive specialized care.
These issues may include:
- Issues relating to premature birth
- Congenital disabilities such as heart or breathing issues
- Chronic health conditions, such as rare genetic disorders
- Body malformations, such as cleft palate
Challenges of the Role
The role does come with some challenges.
For instance, the most challenging aspect of the role is providing end-of-life care to a terminally ill baby and supporting a grieving family.
You’ll need resilience and emotional strength for this part of the job.
How Do You Become a Neonatal Nurse?
There is a particular career pathway to follow if you are interested in this profession, which we’ll describe now. It’s worth noting that this pathway may be different depending on your prior learning and qualifications.
Earn a Bachelor of Nursing
Becoming a neonatal nurse requires an undergraduate bachelor’s degree in nursing. In most cases, you can undertake a three-year Bachelor of Nursing or a four-year Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery. This degree will include some unpaid placements so you can gain real-world job experience as a nurse.
Become a Registered Nurse
After you graduate with your undergraduate qualification, the next step is to register with the relevant body to become a registered nurse or RN. For instance, this is the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) in Australia. Other countries will have similar relevant bodies to lodge your registration with. You’ll most likely need to renew this registration each year to stay practicing as a nurse.
Acquire Clinical Experience
As you begin your nursing career, it’s time to gain some clinical experience. If you’re lucky, you may land a role in a NICU setting right away or accept a role in another hospital setting to gain some valuable experience in the field. No matter where you begin, when you start working as a nurse, you’ll gain experience, skills and knowledge that will assist you in your career. You may also want to upskill while you work, doing professional development and short courses to stay current with emerging technologies and treatments in health care.
Consider a NICU Certification
Even with an undergraduate nursing qualification, you may want to consider a specialized neonatal nursing certification if available to you. Some hospital employers require this to employ you as a NICU nurse. You may also want to consider adjacent certifications, such as child and family health, critical care or pediatric nursing. These may improve your career prospects.
In Summary
This helpful article has shared all about the role of a neonatal nurse. You’ve learned what this nursing field does and how you can follow this career pathway.
