The main role of a neonatal nurse practitioner is to provide primary care for premature and sick newborns. They deal with babies who have medical issues that require special care such as low birth weight, acute illnesses, respiratory distress, congenital heart defects and other abnormalities and disorders.
Neonatal nurse practitioner job description
A neonatal nurse practitioner is responsible for assessing and diagnosing the condition of the newborn, providing a treatment plan, monitoring and evaluating the progress of the baby, and communicating with and educating the parents on the proper care of their infant.
The nature of the neonatal nurse practitioner job requires the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively. Parents will often be in a great deal of anxiety about their baby and will be asking many questions. It is important that they are kept well-informed about the needs and progress of their child.
The job is a stressful one with caring for very ill babies requiring round-the-clock care and taking months of intense focus. It is also a highly emotionally charged setting and it is important for the neonatal nurse practitioner to concentrate on the professional aspect of their job and endeavour to stay emotionally resolute so they are in a frame of mind to make logical decisions. The ability to make careful decisions often under pressure and within a short time frame is necessary as their response can be critical to the life of the newborn.
A neonatal nurse practitioner job also requires a greater level of diagnostic skill than when working with patients who can tell you what is wrong. Practitioners need to learn how to operate and monitor complex technology and learn advanced techniques for increasing infant survivability. . It is also incumbent on the nurse practitioner to conduct medical research and keep abreast of the latest medical developments in their profession.
Many decisions of the neonatal nurse practitioner will be taken independently, but they will also work closely with neonatologists, nurses, other health professionals and parents in providing optimum care for the newborn. Therefore, a high level of team work is required.
Neonatal nurse practitioner employment settings
Most neonatal nurse practitioners work in the neonatal intensive care units (NICU) of hospitals, primarily in level three units where babies have very complex needs and require the assistance of high technology to survive. Employment can also be found in emergency delivery rooms, neonatal clinics, developmental pediatric clinics, hospices, universities and research centers.
Neonatal nurse practitioner programs
Neonatal nurse practitioner training involves a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a focus on neonatal nursing. Nurse practitioner schools will require an applicant to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSC), a valid registered nurse license, and usually at least one year of experience as a baby nurse.
Neonatal nurse practitioner programs include embryology, developmental physiology, pathophysiology, advanced neonatal assessment, neonatal pharmacology, non-pharmacological therapies, pain management and family dynamics. Students will also learn how to administer neonatal resuscitation, specialized nutrition and feeding methods, intravenous therapy and how to operate equipment such as incubators and ventilators. Training will also include a clinical practicum in a neonatal setting under the supervision of medical professionals.
Some schools offer these programs online or in the form of part-time courses to make nurse practitioner education accessible to those who wish to continue working as they study.
Neonatal nurse practitioner certification and association
Upon graduation from an accredited nurse practitioner school, the person needs to take the National Certification Corporation Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NCCNNP) exam in order to be certified. Most states also require the nurse to be licensed before they are allowed to practice. They can also become a member of a nurse practitioner association such as the National Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners and enjoy the benefits of collaborating with colleagues and having access to the latest news and further education.
Neonatal nurse practitioner salary
The neonatal nurse practitioner salary is among the highest salaries in nursing with an average annual wage of $83,854. Of course this figure increases or decreases depending on level of experience, employment setting and the area in which a person works.
Neonatal nurse practitioner job prospects
There are excellent prospects for neonatal nurse practitioner jobs in accord with the growth of nursing in general. With the increased application of fertility drugs there are more incidences of premature births and especially of multiple births which usually produce very underweight babies. Nurse practitioners can also advance in their career to become educators, consultants and researchers.
The ability to use your knowledge and skill to make a significant difference to the health of babies and to see them make progress and be able to be taken home with their parents is exceedingly fulfilling. If you would like a very challenging but compassionate career you may be the ideal candidate for a neonatal nurse practitioner job.
