Neonatal Nurse Practitioner careers are a noble one. Once you choose to become a nurse, you will get the opportunity to serve people every day of your life. Now, if that seems promising to you, let’s dive deep into the topic. You can get all your desired information about medical school.
Before you opt for a career as a neonatal nurse, you must have a clear understanding of the educational criteria required to become an approved neonatal nurse. We shall also figure out the average NNPs salary in USA.
So, let’s get started. But before we go deep into the discussion, it would be absolutely awesome for you to understand exactly what a neonatal nurse practitioners does. In that scenario, you’ll be able to decide if this particular profession is the best-suited one for you. One can also check details about how much does a nurse make
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner-What does a neonatal nurse do?
If we consider the United States of America, the country sees a baby’s birth every 8 seconds. These babies may be neonates, either premature or full-term. When a baby is in need of emergency treatment due to some moderate or serious health problem in a hospital setting, a neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) attends the baby around the counter in neonatal intensive care units ( NICUs).
These particular units exist inside medical facilities where the neonatal nurse can enter for providing to critically injured children. NNPs earn top-level compensation for performing their vital duties. In reality, as stated by the most recent AANP National Compensation Survey, the average neonatal nurse salary in USA is $107,550 annually.
However, one must keep in mind that the neonatal nurses practitioner salary in USA may fluctuate depending upon your experience and expertise. It also depends on your employer.
How to Become a Neonatal Nurse – Duties
NNPs are known as educators, health specialists, and advocates for newborns and their families, according to the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN), advising parents on how to deal with the difficulty that comes with neonatal treatment.
Neonatal nurse practitioners may work with a healthcare team or work independently in the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of newborns’ health care needs.
Neonatal NPs operate in acute and non-acute environments alongside neonatologists, monitoring, and helping in the care and delivery of babies. In the event that a child is born with health problems due to genetic defects, opioid abuse, premature birth, HIV infection, or some other cause, NNPs are necessary to resolve the health concerns resulting from these conditions.
Registered nurses ( RNs) can also be neonatal nurses, and in most Level I nurseries, they take charge of births and charge for premature babies. In comparison, NNPs typically care for premature babies who may have complex health conditions in intensive care units ( NICUs).
How to become a neonatal nurse practitioner – Everything you must know about the profession
Neonatal NPs provide more comprehensive training than neonatal nurses and may assume greater roles in terms of diagnosis, care preparation, and prescribing medications — the extent of which differs depending on the state of residence of an NNP (i.e., the practice authority).
In addition, NNPs are working diligently to help to raise the percentage of child morbidity and mortality levels. There are specific scopes of roles for neonatal nurses (NNs) and NNPs depending on the state of the newborn baby, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics‘ Levels of Neonatal Care. There are four levels of neonatal care differing:
- Level I – These are specific neonatal nurseries for fairly safe babies that are a prerequisite of any health care facility offering inpatient maternity services. Where appropriate, Neonatal Nurse Practitioners will perform resuscitation here and provide postnatal care, including weighing, measuring, bathing, nursing, and assessing the stable newborn as a whole.
- Stage II – These nurseries offer specialist treatment for children with mild health issues. Such infants’ health problems are expected to improve relatively quickly, which may also include babies recovering from a Level III (subspecialty) NICU.
- Level III – This nursery is classified as a subspecialty neonatal intensive care unit ( NICU), where NNPs take care of newborn babies that are highly premature (< 32 weeks old), or who are in serious condition and may need surgery.
- Level IV – Known as national NICUs, these nurseries provide treatment for newborn babies in severely critical conditions. Such children need 24-hour monitoring and may also require complicated surgeries.
NNPs perform the following tasks typically across various clinical settings:
- Carry out neonatal regeneration
- maintain and track advanced child care devices (e.g., ventilators, incubators, etc.)
- Request or perform clinical and medical tests
- Blood draw
- Develop care plans and administer medical products (independently or in collaboration with a physician)
- Evaluate vital signs
- Monitor ventilators
- Direct new parents to care properly for their newborn child
Neonatal nurse practitioner scope of practice – Skills and personality characteristics
To become an NNP, one must be committed, persevering, and enthusiastic about the treatment of newborns and their families. In order to apply for national and regional qualifications, NNPs must also hold at least a Master’s degree.
Therefore, under pressure environments, the NNP must be loving, calm, emotionally stable, and exercise good judgment. NNPs will need to be physically fit to endure the constant mental and physical stress, pressure, and tiredness of the job. NNPs usually work in hospital shifts and can work 24-hour shifts and be on call if necessary.
In addition, newborn care NNPs require superior vision, dexterity, endurance, and hearing to ensure the health and well-being of all the infants in their care.
Neonatal nurse practitioner salary- Job criteria
In order to enter this prestigious nursing profession, one has to fulfill the entry-level criteria. Until becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP), one must first hold a nursing associate or bachelor’s degree in science (BSN) and become a registered nurse (RN).
Additionally, RNs can receive Neonatal Resuscitation and/or Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing certification. RNs are usually expected to have a minimum of two years of clinical experience in hospitals or medical facilities with high-risk newborns before applying for a graduate-level degree. This generally means a Level II, III, or IV certification.
RNs may then obtain a nursing science master’s degree (MSN) or a nursing practice doctor (DNP) specializing in neonatal nursing. Upon completion of a graduate degree, applicants will be eligible by the National Certification Corporation and all state NP credentialing bodies (e.g. Boards of Nursing) to sit for exams and become board certified NNPs.
If you are interested in becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP), make sure that you go through the information provided below.
NNPs earn high wages throughout their professions, with PayScale recording an average of $100,081 in salary. Individuals will explore the best ways to search for these high paying job opportunities in this guide.
Where do practicing neonatal nurses work?
Neonatal nurse practitioners usually operate in private and public hospitals in Neonatal intensive care units. Many hospitals provide four levels of treatment, grouping children according to their needs in healthcare. Nurses who focus on the level I provide basic healthcare for stable, full-term infants in newborn nursing care. In most cases, the need for such nurses is minimal.
NNPs at level II operates in intermediate-care nursery environments for sick and premature babies who need ongoing care and attention. Many working in neonatal intensive care nurseries at level III, work with the most chronically ill patients with severe health conditions that need intensive treatment.
Level IV facilities, such as regional neonatal intensive care units, offer treatment for newborns who are coping with severe, critical conditions.
Neonatal nurse practitioner certification – Measures to become a certified neonatal nurse
Professionals aspiring to practice as a certified neonatal nurse should review the following measures to achieve their career goals, including education information, licensing, and certification.
Earning a BSN (BACHELOR IN NURSING) degree
Before professionals may work as NNPs, they must earn a degree in nursing associate or bachelor of science (BSN) which fulfills the educational requirement to start pursuing RN licensing. Typically BSN programs courses include community health nursing, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, growth of lifespan, and ethical standards.
Every aspiring student must receive a degree in undergraduate education to progress to a master’s program.
Get a license for REGISTERED NURSE (RN)
One must receive RN training before graduates can seek master’s degrees in nursing and full qualification to practice as Neonatal Nurse Practitioners. RN licensing requirements include obtaining a BSN or associate’s nursing degree and completing the NCLEX-RN test.
opt for neonatal specialization
When practitioners receive their RN certificates, they may engage in educational experiences in clinical environments related to neonatal acute care. For general, to enroll for NNP graduate programs, clinicians must have at least two years of clinical experience employed in neonatal intensive care units or similar clinical settings. student can also explore how to become a registered nurse
The following optional certifications may also be considered by professionals in the field:
• Obstetric care hospital
• Maternal neonatal treatment
• Intensive Neonatal Care Nursing at low risk
• Intensive Neonatal Care nursing
Get admitted to a MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING ( MSN) OR DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE (DNP) degree or educational program
Individuals must obtain admission to an approved MSN or DNP that includes a specialization in neonatal nursing to apply for credential programs in the NNP field. Although MSN and DNP programs prepare neonatal nurse practitioner certification in neonatal nursing, doctoral-level education professionals may pursue further career opportunities with higher salaries.
Global Certification Company provides an NNP qualification of three years. Certification applicants must meet clear program prerequisites like obtaining RN licenses and passing a certification test within eight years of graduation from a nursing program.
Professionals must meet state-specific NP licensing requirements including passing an exam and providing proof of qualified education. NCC certifications include a female nurse practitioner in health care and NNP.
Obtain the court’s license
Professionals must receive NP State licenses in addition to national certification.
States retain distinct standards for licensing practitioners, including components of education, assessment, and experience. When professionals meet licensing eligibility criteria and get official licensing and certification as Neonatal Nurse Practitioners, they will search for job opportunities.
Professionals may consider various career opportunities with different pay levels, depending on their education level.
How many hours a week does a Practitioner Neonatal Nurse work?
NNPs work hours are contingent on the particular facility. During 40-hour workweeks, some hospitals plan eight-hour shifts, while others use three
How long does having a DNP take?
Depending on the educational history and experience of the applicant, the amount of time it takes to earn a DNP can vary. Moreover, it may influence the duration of the curriculum whether the learners participate in part-time or full time. Some graduate students take 3-4 years to fulfill their program’s requirements.
Practitioner Neonatal Nurse Credentials
Professionals have to meet certain criteria to become an NNP. Readers can read more about the different steps taken to obtain acceptable qualifications and the forms of national qualification they can seek in the NNP discipline in the sections below.
All about the licensing of a neonatal nurse practitioner
NNP licensing includes authorization from both the RN and APRN. Aspiring NNPs should start with obtaining a BSN and meeting the RN licensing requirements. Different criteria for obtaining an RN license differ depending on the state, but in general, individuals need to complete components of education and experience, in addition to passing the NCLEX-RN test.
The criteria for licensing APRNs differ, depending on the state and specialty. All applicants for APRN must hold at least an MSN. In addition, APRN licensing allows applicants to meet the standards of education and experience, along with passing the licensing test.
Degree-seekers should study the various licensing standards by Nursing ‘s National Council of State Boards and its state boards. Professionals should use resources to allow them to better prepare for exam aspects of their licensing programs and explore other tools to develop the expertise and skills required to demonstrate competency in the profession.
Neonatal nurse practitioner program-Education Program
Professionals interested in pursuing careers as NNPs can find several different opportunities to obtain certificates. The inpatient obstetric nursing credential demands that practitioners pass a competency-based assessment to test their obstetric nursing skills and knowledge.
Candidates must hold an RN degree, along with at least two years of clinical experience in caring for pregnant women hospitalized. The central certification in maternal neonatal nursing tests specialist expertise in the discipline.
Certification applicants must pass a competency-based test, hold RN certification, and complete at least two years of medical practice offering treatment to the child-bearing family from birth to six weeks of age in ambulatory and hospital settings.
We believe that by now you have got all the information required for becoming a neonatal nurse. But there might be more questions in your mind. In case you have come across any of such problems, reach out to us. Comment in the section below to know anything about the neonatal nurse practitioner profession. One can visit our homepage to get more information about Online schools near me
