NICU Nurse Responsibilities, Requirements & Salary Range
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NICU Nurse Responsibilities, Requirements & Salary Range

Deciding whether the NICU is the right specialty for you? We have complied information on what a NICU (Neonatal) Nurse is, their responsibilities and requirements, along with salary information.

What does a NICU Nurse do?

NICU Nurses, also known as Neonatal Nurses, work in the neonatal intensive care units where they care for premature newborns, or newborns with critical illnesses or specialized needs. Doing so means that they work with some of the most vulnerable patients. NICU nurses watch over newborns closely and act quickly if a sudden change arises.

What are the Day-to-Day Responsibilities?

  • Provide round-the-clock care to premature newborns, or newborns with critical illnesses or specialized needs
  • Check for the proper function of NICU monitoring system, pumps, and other equipment
  • Assist as necessary with procedures such as central line placement, chest tube insertion, x-rays, ultrasounds, intubations, and extubations.
  • Assess the ability of mother to care of infant and self once discharged and communicates family needs to appropriate care providers
  • Apply knowledge of breastfeeding
  • Assure the safe transport of all patients
  • Maintain family-centered care philosophy of respect, information sharing, and collaboration during transport process

NICU Nurse Qualifications

What does it take to be a NICU Nurse? To be a successful NICU Nurse, you must have a passion for working with newborns and their families. NICU nurses should have a caring and empathetic nature, along with the ability to work in very high pressure and fast-paced environment. Strong communication is key for NICU nurses when working with families.

NICU nurses must communicate well with the patient’s families, as this can be one of the most emotionally straining times when a newborn is in the NICU depending on the circumstance. Being a NICU Nurse can be extremely stressful and emotionally taxing. However, it can also be a very rewarding specialty to go into.

NICU Nurse Salary

The median Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurse salary is $32.59 an hour with the top 90% of neonatal nurses making around $47.10 an hour, according to PayScale. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports nursing jobs are projected to grow 15% by 2026. The specialized skills that a NICU nurse requires may provide the opportunity for future career advancement. NICU nurses may become a nursing supervisor, charge nurse, or a more advanced role such as a discharge planner.

Your Healthcare Career Counselor

RNa Partners works hard to place healthcare professionals with the industry’s top healthcare providers nationwide. We strive to find you an employer with which you can thrive and build a career. We provide a high-quality experience throughout your job search; you are never just a resume to us. If you have an interest in learning more about a day in the life of a NICU Nurse, we will help you navigate the healthcare job market, polish up your interviewing skills and direct you toward the best healthcare facilities in your area. To view all our open positions.