How much schooling does it take to become a Neonatal Nurse??

fergus51 · May 14, 2004

You just need to finish a nursing program (ADN, Diploma or BSN) and find a hospital willing to train you. There is no standard education after nursing school.

Nytsirk · May 15, 2004

Thanks for the info!! I had read about the 14 or so years of MD NICU requirements...so thats why I was curious...so thanks again!!

wensday, MSN, RN, APN, NP · May 18, 2004

In the UK we do 3yrs child or maternity nurse training and they pretty much accept you with that, but lots of people want to get into NNU so theres other courses you can do as extra....I'm going to do a year long introduction to neonates thing where you are placed in big units (40 cots) with a study day once a week and qualified nurse pay.

karlita85 · May 29, 2004

You just need to finish a nursing program (ADN, Diploma or BSN) and find a hospital willing to train you. There is no standard education after nursing school.

hello ,

i am interested in neonatal nursing also..... what is an ADN OR BSN ...?

THANK YOU ...

P.S.

I AM NOT SO FAMILIAR WITH ALL THE DEGREES...

fergus51 · May 29, 2004

ADN= Associate's degree in nursing

BSN= Bachelor's degree in nursing

basically, it's just a college or university nursing program.

karlita85 · May 30, 2004

ADN= Associate's degree in nursing
BSN= Bachelor's degree in nursing
basically, it's just a college or university nursing program.

oh ok thanks... :):)

purplekath · Jun 6, 2004

Where are you? I'm in Australia - you must be an RN first (3.5 years here) and then do a post grad course that lasts for a year fulltime.

OMFG ITS TMR · Feb 1, 2006

What exactly do neonatal nurses do? (What tasks do they perform?)

Gompers, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2006

How Much schol does it take to become a neonatal nurse?

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.

mommy2BCD · Feb 2, 2006

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.

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.

Lorie P. · Feb 2, 2006

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.