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Nursing is one of the most professionall satisfying professions. Nursing, unlike many other professions, is growing exponentially in terms of job availability. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for registered nurses between 2010 and 2020 is expected to grow 26 percent faster than the average for all other professions. In 2010, there were well over 2 million registered nurses in the country. In addition, more than 700,000 registered nurses are expected to join the profession by 2020.
What Is A Neonatal Nurse?
There are several different types of nurses, and neonatal nurses are one type of specialized nursing professionals. These professionals care for newborn infants who are born with:
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Prematurity
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Birth defects
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Surgical problems
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Cardiac malformations
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Infections
Why You Should Become A Neonatal Nurse
Every year, approximately 40,000 infants are born with health problems. The good news is that with medical and scientific advances and doctors along with nurses specializing in neonatal conditions, their survival rates today are 10 times better than they were 15 years ago. Neonatal nurses play an extremely important role in the life of a newborn.
How To Become A Neonatal Nurse?
If neonatal nursing is a career you are interested in, then you need to start by becoming a registered nurse first. There are three academic pathways you can take:
In addition, you will need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN. Once you have become a registered nurse, you will need to work in a hospital with neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to gain experience. Many hospitals hire recent graduates with interest in neonatal care. Most of the training and learning will be on the job; however, educational programs are available that will provide information about neonatal care.
Is online Nursing Education For You?
Certificates, diplomas, associate's, bachelor's, master's, and even Ph.D. degrees in nursing can be obtained online. Accredited online nursing programs are competing with traditional nursing programs due to their increasing popularity, improving quality, and flexibility. When enrolling in nursing programs, it is important for students to check the accreditation of both the program and the institution.
Online courses and programs are flexible in nature, and particularly suit the following types of students:
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Adult students with full-time jobs - If you are thinking of switching your career, but may not have time to attend a traditional nursing school. Online nursing programs are for you as you can study and prepare for your courses from home.
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Students who cannot commute to campus - As all coursework is completed online, students living in remote areas can complete their degrees online.
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Students who need an affordable way to attend school - some online nursing courses and programs may be relatively cheaper in comparison to traditional on-campus programs.
Neonatal Nurse Certification
The National Certification Corporation (NCC) offers RNC Certification for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-NIC). However, not everyone is eligible to apply for the certificate. The NCC has written out its eligibility requirements on its website.