In reponse to the statement that you go to a community college to get an ADN, that is not always the case. I am attending the University of South Dakota and am getting my ADN. I also know that in my home state of Ohio some of the universities only offer ADN degrees. This isn't always the case but just wanted to let those know who were interested in either ADN or BSN degrees.

Originally Posted by Gompers

In the United States...

You need to either go to a community college and get an Associate's degree in Nursing, or to a university and get a Bachelor's degree in Nursing. Then you take your state boards to get your RN. After that, you are able to work in a NICU - they will train you in neonatal care because you don't learn that in school. It's your choice whether you get the 2-year Associate's degree or the 4-year Bachelor's, as both are accepted in the NICU.

For the most part, you cannot get your LPN (licensed practical nurse) and work in a NICU. Some LPNs still work in NICUs, but the vast majority of units will not hire new ones. It is an ICU, and they cannot perform all of the tasks necessary to independently care for the sicker babies.

neonatel nurse care for very sick babies, it basicaly like an adult ICU. only these little folks are born too early, major health problems. They have to be constantly monitored and can go bad very quickly.
I have the upmost respect for NICU nurses, my daughter was born at 24 weeks weighting in at 1.4 lbs and 11 inches long. She stayed 121 days in a NICU. today is a very active healthy 6 year old and I still can't not thank those nurse who looked and care for her enough.

Another practitioner in the NICU is a NNP (neonatal nurse practitioner) that you could look into. They are nurses with a BSN that get an advanced degree and have much more responsibility in the NICU-- prescribing meds, ordering labs, ect...

They are only putting BSN nurses certain NICUs. Ours is a regional Level III, II, and I with flight nurses. We get 6 months of classroom combined with on the floor training to be in the NICU. Magnet status hospital. It is awesome.

Originally Posted by Gompers

In the United States...

You need to either go to a community college and get an Associate's degree in Nursing, or to a university and get a Bachelor's degree in Nursing. Then you take your state boards to get your RN. After that, you are able to work in a NICU - they will train you in neonatal care because you don't learn that in school. It's your choice whether you get the 2-year Associate's degree or the 4-year Bachelor's, as both are accepted in the NICU.

For the most part, you cannot get your LPN (licensed practical nurse) and work in a NICU. Some LPNs still work in NICUs, but the vast majority of units will not hire new ones. It is an ICU, and they cannot perform all of the tasks necessary to independently care for the sicker babies.

In Scotland certainly, if you have gone to university and gained diploma or degree in midwifery, then got a post in a nicu, you can go back to uni and take further NICU course, covering theory and practical training. Learn to do iv's, blood gases etc. we dont site cannulas, med staff still do this, although we will have shortly two ANNP's who will do this.

I just graduated from a BSN program and start in the NICU as an RN tomorrow. I will have a more lengthy orientation to my unit than most other floors/units, but I feel it's worth it. Good luck to you!

I am also interested in Neonatal Nursing and by reading this everybody has also helped me learn more about it. :rcgtku: