Neonatal Nursing Major: Information and Requirements
There are no neonatal nursing programs at the bachelor's degree level. Individuals interested in pursuing a neonatal nursing major must do so at the master's degree level. Read on for information and requirements for the graduate degree alternative to a neonatal nursing major.
Master of Science in Nursing - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist
Neonatal nursing programs instruct already trained nurses on how to care for newborns and infants. These nurses develop skills for working with high-risk, recurrently ill or critically ill babies. Additionally, neonatal nursing students learn to counsel expectant parents, instruct new parents on infant wellness strategies and assist new mothers with breastfeeding techniques. They may also study certain business topics as they relate to the health care industry, including economics and finance.
Education Prerequisites
Individuals interested in enrolling in a neonatal nursing program must be licensed registered nurses and must typically have 1-2 years of experience in a third-level neonatal intensive care unit. Some schools may prefer nurses who have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is usually required.
In general, applicants must complete prerequisite courses in health assessment and statistics. Miller Analogies Test or Graduate Record Examination scores must typically be submitted, as well as a resume, writing sample and recommendation letters.
Program Coursework
Neonatal nursing students must typically complete 600 hours of hands-on training, which usually consists of four clinical practica. Additionally, students learn researching strategies and study such course topics as:
- Heredity factors and DNA
- Assessing the health of newborns
- Fetal and infant growth and development
- Medications and drug therapies for infants
- Detection and treatment of infant diseases
Employment Outlook and Salary Information
As of 2010, Salary.com noted that neonatal nurse practitioners earned a median wage of $99,117. Furthermore, from 2008-2018, employment of registered nurses was expected to climb 22%, with an especially high demand for nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov).
Continuing Education and Certification Information
Graduates of a neonatal nursing master's degree program may decide to pursue a Ph.D. in Nursing. However, this type of degree is more often pursued by nurses interested in scientific research or college-level teaching. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs are also available and are more clinically oriented.
Neonatal nurses and nurse practitioners can seek professional certifications through the National Certification Corporation (www.nccwebsite.org). In order to be able to sit for the exam, individuals must be licensed registered nurses and meet education or experience requirements, depending on the desired credential. Designations are valid for three years; in order to maintain certification, neonatal nurses can either retest or participate in continuing education.
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