Neonatal Nurse (RN)

Neonatal Nurse (RN) Job Description

The neonatal nurse is perhaps one of the most important people in the hospital. They have a large responsibility when it comes to saving lives and caring for other people. Neonatal nurses care for infants after they are born. Not only do they care for infants who are born at term and are healthy, but they also care for infants who are born early. Some of the infants they care for have life threatening conditions that require in depth care. The primary department that the neonatal nurse works in is the NICU or neonatal intensive care unit. Due to the critical care that some nurses will provide and the age of the patients that they care for, the neonatal nurse salary is somewhat higher than other nurses.

Neonatal Nurse (RN) Salary Statistics as of 2015

Average annual salary for a Neonatal Nurse (RN) is $53925 based on statistics in the U.S. as of 2015. The highest salary recorded was $105369. The lowest salary was $31412. These figures will vary on a state to state basis as these are averages across all 50 states.

Median hourly wage for a Neonatal Nurse (RN) is $26.82 based on statistics in the U.S. as of 2015. The highest hourly rate recorded was $52.4. The lowest hourly rate recorded was $15.62. These figures will vary on a state to state basis as these are averages across all 50 states.

Bonuses for a Neonatal Nurse (RN) are based on the years of experience using statistics from the U.S. as of 2015. The average bonus recorded was $0 from people with 15+ years of experience. The average bonus recorded was $1017 from people with under 1 year of experience.

These are the highest paying states for a Neonatal Nurse (RN). These numbers are based of the median annual salary as of 2015.

These are the highest paying cities for a Neonatal Nurse (RN). These numbers are based of the median annual salary as of 2015.
1-4 years –
5-9 years –

This chart outlines the average annual salary of a Neonatal Nurse (RN) from the past 5 years. In 2015 the average annual salary was $53925 while in 2007 it was just $50009.09

How To Become A Neonatal Nurse

In order to work as a neonatal nurse a person would need at least a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This is a four-year degree that can be received at most colleges. There is financial aid available through the federal government as well as through the college that the student applies to. The student can also apply for scholarships to complete their schooling. After the BSN is received, the student needs to be registered with the state that they reside in or receive a national certification allowing the nurse to work all across the country. Many hospitals and office require their nurses to complete some type of training before being hired on a full-time basis. Some of the cities that are usually in need of neonatal nurses are Tampa, Dallas and Philadelphia. Larger cities always need quality neonatal nurses to work in hospitals and clinics.

Work Environment

After the schooling is completed, the neonatal nurse can work in almost any healthcare setting. Most nurses choose to work in hospitals. There are some clinics that hire neonatal nurses to work with infants who are born to mothers who cannot afford quality healthcare. There are different levels of care that the nurse will provide to the patients they work with. Level one nurses care for mothers and infants who are born at full term and who have little to no health issues. The infant is healthy enough to stay in the same room as the mother after they are born. The nurse will care for the baby by bathing them and feeding them when the mother is resting. The next level of nurses cares for infants who are born early and who have health concerns that must be addressed before the baby can go home. The highest level of care that is provided by a neonatal nurse is for babies who are critically ill. The nurse will work with monitors that are connected to the baby as well as monitor breathing and other vital signs of the baby. The neonatal nurse salary for this position is the highest of all the neonatal nurses.