How do I Become a Neonatal Nurse?

Anyone who asks how do I become a neonatal nurse needs to learn the basics of the career path and the method of gaining a specialty in newborn care. After completing the appropriate education and training, it is possible to work as a neonatal nurse in any hospital. Anyone who wants to become a neonatal nurse needs to understand what the position entails.

A neonatal nurse is a professional who works in newborn care in a hospital setting. He or she ensures that the babies are properly monitored and that arrangements are made for diapering, feeding and other infant care before the baby is ready to go home. Nurses who work in the intensive care unit or who work with premature babies have the responsibility of watching infant development and ensuring that the parents are ready to handle special care needs for the first few months of life.

Nursing is a field that requires some education. Those who want to become a neonatal nurse must obtain an appropriate education to learn about newborn infant care. Individuals who want to work with infants who are 28 days or younger need to clarify the level they prefer to work in.

Neonatal nurses work in three levels. Level one nurses care for healthy infants immediately after birth. The level two nurses need more specialized training to deal with pre-mature infants and the equipment used for appropriate care.

Level three nurses work around the clock with infants who are in critical condition. These nurses are usually very experienced in neonatal divisions and have a high education. In most states, a neonatal nurse will need a minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

The nurse must also pass any state licensing and must obtain a certification in neonatal care. A higher education of a master’s degree is appropriate for those who want to work in the critical care unit. Most states will also require clinical experience in a hospital for a set number of years.

Nurse anesthetists may continue their education to the terminal degree level, either earning a Ph.D. , DNSc (Doctor of Nursing Science), DNAP (Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice), or DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice). At the terminal degree level, nurse anesthetists have a wider variety of professional choices available to them, and may teach, participate in administration or pursue research.

Currently, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has endorsed a position statement that will move the current entry level of training for nurse anesthetists in the United States to the Doctor in Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP). This move will affect all advance practice nurses, with the proposed implementation by the year 2015. The AANA announced in August 2007 support of this advanced clinical degree as an entry level for all nurse anesthetists, but with a target date of 2025.

This will increase the time in training, but refine clinical decision-making through research utilization and evidence-based practice. How can I become a nurse anesthetist if I first go to a community college to become an RN.? Q: Ok I want to become a nurse anesthetist but I realize I first need to get my bachelors degree. What I am wondering is what I need to do to if I first go to a community college.

What classes do I need to take?

A:You can become a Nurse Practitioner in as less time as one year. You can pursue the Certificate of Nurse Practitioner from the various nursing schools listed on our website. If you opt to complete the certificate of nurse practitioner online, you can become a nurse practitioner in less than a year too.

Since online programs are self-paced they can be completed in as much time as the student wishes. Q:How to become a Nurse Practitioner in California? A:To be a Nurse Practitioner in California, you will need a high school diploma or an equivalent GED to be eligible to apply for nursing programs.

You can take the certificate in nursing education to be a nurse practitioner in California at the quickest. Upon clearing the certificate program, you will be required to clear the NCLEX-LPN exam and be a Licensed Practical Nurse in California. Q:What is the average salary that can be earned in nurse practitioner careers?

A:Nurse Practitioner careers are one of the fastest growing careers in the nation. The level of salary depends on a number of factors such as specialty area, level of education, experience, training, state, and type of medical organization. The average level of salary that a nurse practitioner makes ranges from $59,680 to $106,945 annually.

This figure includes all monetary benefits such as bonuses and profits. Q:What are the educational programs for becoming a Nurse Practitioner? A:Students interested in joining the nursing workforce must acquire relevant qualifications in the field of nursing.

The most basic nursing degree is the LPN or RN degree which gives students a basic understanding of nursing and prepares them for basic nursing jobs.