Neonatal Nursing
Neonatal nursing involves the care for neonates, or infants, in the first 28 days of life. These infants may be healthy, or may also be in need of specialized care, with either chronic health problems or acute, life-threatening illnesses. Key roles in neonatal nursing are planning, assessing, supervising and ensuring that proper care is provided for neonatal patients. Neonatal nursing often takes place in the hospital, neonatal intensive care units, pediatric medical offices, clinics, and home environments.
Neonatal nursing in the hospital typically takes place in a nursery designated as either Level I, II, or III. While a Level I nursery is where healthy infants are cared for, Level II and III nursery infants may have been born prematurely or are facing an illness. This care can require supplemental oxygen, intravenous therapy, further maturation time before discharge or specialized feedings. The most acutely ill infants in Level III nurseries may need high technology care, such as surgery, incubators, or ventilators.
While about half of the neonatal patients that are acutely ill and in Level III nurseries are born prematurely, or before 37 weeks gestation, full-term infants may need care for a variety of conditions as well. These include birth defects, pneumonia, meningitis, perinatal asphyxia, hereditary or genetic disorders, generalized infections of the blood, or injuries suffered during the birth process or newborn periods. Also, chronically ill infants in need of neonatal nursing require special nursing care at home. Other roles important to neonatal nursing include research, consultation, and education of families and staff.
Neonatal nursing is a fairly new specialty in comparison to other nursing such as adult care, and has been around only since the 1960’s, when neonatal intensive care units were first established. The field has also been recently in need of more trained professionals, so there are many career opportunities available.
If you want to start a career in neonatal nursing, you need a nursing degree. Consider an online LPN to BSN degree or an online RN to BSN degree if you’re already a nurse. Otherwise, compare these programs from the University of Phoenix:
» Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
» Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Top Online Nursing Programs
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University of Phoenix - RN to BSN. 27 Nursing Degrees. Students interested in reaching their career goals in the healthcare industry as a nurse will reach them at University of Phoenix. University of Phoenix allows working adults the convenience of taking classes when they can.
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The College Network - 10 universities offering Nursing Degrees. The College Network educates students in nursing and turn them into successful healthcare professionals. The College Network offers flexible, accredited nursing plans at affordable prices.
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Kaplan University - RN to BSN. 20 Nursing Degrees. Kaplan University offers a variety of nursing degree programs at affordable prices. Students who attend Kaplan will receive a degree from a well respected accredited nursing program.
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Indiana State University - LPN to BSN. Students looking to jump start a career will find accredited an accredited RN to BSN nursing degree from the Indiana State University. Indiana State University was originally founded in 1865 and over this time has prepared thousands of students for new, exciting careers.
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Mountain State University - A.S. in Medical Assisting. Mountain State University has a well respected nursing degree program. Students can learn from this respected nursing program affordably and get their degree online.
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Are you interested in Neonatal Nursing? You'll need a nursing degree. Search for one below:
