Neonatalogist or Neonatal nurse practitioner

Specialties NICU

Published

I have seen many posts on Google saying how being a neonatalogist is more beneficial because of the money. However, I pursue in becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner, what is the difference in their pay and what are the different duties do they have to perform daily? Thanks so much! My email is [email protected] if it would be easier to respond that way! :)

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One is a DOCTOR, the other is a NURSE. there's kind of a difference, not just the pay!

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Well my first comment on this board is going to be pretty blunt.

If it's money you're after, please stay away from our babies.

If you truly love babies and children, then do either, do you want to spend 6-7 years in school (NNP) or 14 years in school (MD). That's totally up to you.

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oh no! It is not all about the money at all that is why I chose nursing in the first place! I am a very caring person and i love babies. I just wanted some info other than google.

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While their work overlaps in lots of areas it's also very different in others. Most people here will value the NNP more, since we all have a nursing background. As a NNP you always remain a nurse, so you can integrate family and patient centered care as well as discharge planning and initiate multidisciplinary involvement easier. Your assessment skills will be better as will be your confidence when starting out. (Just statement research has shown.) Even though you go into Diagnostics and treatment as an NNP you never loose the contact to your patient and their family, you will always have the caring aspect.

Starting as a neonatologist you learn how to assess 30 patients quickly, rely on good nurses for continuous assessment and prescribe treatments, do a few technical tasks and run of to the next patient.

If you want to work WITH babies and their family aim for NNP, if you want to analyse data ABOUT babies - become a neonatologist.

Also be aware that as a NNP you neither fit in with the general nurses anymore nor with the medical staff - so some NNPs have complained about a sense of feeling lost

However, you can't climb the career ladder much further once you are a NNP, while as a neonatoloist its easier to progress.

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