If you’d like to work with infants as a nurse, consider learning how to become a NICU nurse. You’ll need to earn a nursing degree and licensure as an RN. Then, gain experience in a Level I well-baby unit before pursuing a job in a Level II, III, or IV NICU.
NICU nurses provide care for one of the most vulnerable patient populations: newborns with medical complications. In the neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU, these nurses work collaboratively with a team to help at-risk infants overcome severe medical problems.
If you’re passionate about working with high-acuity infants, the NICU may be an ideal work setting for you. You can switch to the nursing field sooner with Concordia University Texas’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) track. Our ABSN track enables students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in as few as 16 months, following the completion of prerequisite courses.
As you look ahead to your nursing career, it’s helpful to explore your options for specializing. Learn the answers to common questions, such as “What is a NICU nurse?” and “What degree do you need to be a NICU nurse?” Then, examine the process of meeting the neonatal nurse requirements.
What Is a NICU Nurse?
A NICU nurse, also known as a neonatal nurse, is a registered nurse (RN) who works in the NICU or a well-baby unit, the latter of which treats babies who only need typical newborn care. By contrast, the NICU treats high-acuity infants with medical complications.
A NICU nurse cares for babies who were born prematurely or require medical intervention, such as:
- Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
- IV/tube feeding
- Major surgery for conditions such as congenital heart defects or cardiopulmonary failure
- Mechanical ventilation
Along with premature birth, other medical issues that require treatment in the NICU can include neonatal stroke, brain injury, infections, respiratory distress, and birth defects. Infants requiring intensive care may be taken to different levels of the NICU:
- Level I: the well-baby unit
- Level II: the unit for special care that is expected to be resolved quickly
- Level III: the unit for neonatal intensive care
- Level IV: the unit for advanced neonatal intensive care
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What Does a NICU Nurse Do?
A NICU nurse’s responsibilities can vary, depending on whether they work in a Level II, III, or IV NICU. Babies in the Level IV NICU, for example, tend to require more complex care and advanced interventions.
What does a NICU nurse do in general? Some of their responsibilities include:
- Administering medications and treatments, such as tube feedings
- Caring for newborns, such as by changing their diapers and bathing them
- Delivering emotional support and patient education to the families
- Monitoring and recording vital signs
- Operating specialized medical equipment
- Providing respiratory support
Is a Career as a NICU Nurse Right for You?
If you’re looking for a nursing specialty that would enable you to work closely with babies, but aren’t interested in specializing in labor and delivery, then NICU nursing may be right for you.
Ask yourself these questions while reflecting on your career path:
- Are you interested in a high-stakes nursing specialty?
- Are you comfortable working with advanced medical equipment?
- Are you a compassionate communicator who is skilled at comforting those in emotional distress?
- Can you stay calm in an emergency situation?
Because the NICU can be an emotionally demanding environment, nurses must be resilient and set strong work-life boundaries. Self-care is essential for NICU RNs. While there are challenges, the NICU is also a rewarding environment with many emotional highs.
How to Become a NICU Nurse: Step-by-Step
If you’re interested in pursuing neonatal nurse schooling, the first step is to identify which degree program is right for you. While multiple degrees qualify you for the licensure exam, there are many benefits to earning a BSN over other degrees. For example, a BSN is the minimum requirement for graduate programs, which you could pursue for career advancement.
1. Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
You’ll need to earn a nursing degree through either a traditional BSN or an accelerated program. Both paths provide quality education and hands-on, immersive learning experiences. If you have a high school diploma or a GED, then a traditional program may be right for you. If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or hold college credits, then an accelerated BSN program, such as Concordia Texas’s ABSN track, may be right for you.
In the ABSN track, your nursing education will consist of:
- Nursing coursework, which teaches nursing theories and other fundamentals
- Nursing skills and simulation labs, which teach applied clinical skills and the nursing process
- Clinical rotations, which provide work experience at healthcare facilities in different nursing specialties
2. Pass the NCLEX-RN and Become a Licensed Nurse
After completing the neonatal nurse schooling requirements, you can apply for an authorization to test (ATT) from the state Board of Nursing (BON) and schedule your NCLEX-RN test date. It’s ideal to begin studying for this licensure exam while you’re still in nursing school. The exam tests not only your nursing knowledge, but also your ability to form appropriate nursing responses to various clinical situations.
After passing the NCLEX-RN, you can obtain your nursing license. You can retake the exam if you don’t pass it the first time.
3. Gain Clinical Experience in Neonatal or Pediatric Care
You may need clinical experience before applying for a nursing job in a Level II, III, or IV NICU. Look for available positions in a Level I well-baby unit to gain experience working with infants. Alternatively, you may look for a role in pediatric care.
After you’ve gained a year or two of clinical experience, start looking for a role in a Level II or III NICU. You may later decide to move on to working with the most critically ill patients in the Level IV NICU.
4. Pursue NICU-Specific Certifications
Once you have neonatal nursing experience, you may decide to earn one or more professional certifications to demonstrate your expertise and your commitment to professional development. The National Certification Corporation (NCC) and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) both offer certification options for NICU nurses.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Neonatal Nurse?
The length of time it takes to become a neonatal nurse depends on your starting point. If you have completed a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or hold at least 60 college credits, you may be able to earn a BSN in as few as 16 months with Concordia Texas’s ABSN track, following the completion of prerequisites.
Alternatively, you can complete a traditional BSN program, which does not require prerequisites and typically takes four years to complete.
After earning a degree, it may be another two months before you become a licensed RN. Then, you can gain entry-level experience in neonatal nursing at a well-baby unit before progressing to the NICU.
In short, an accelerated nursing program may enable you to become a neonatal nurse in roughly two years and a NICU nurse in about three to four years. Alternatively, a traditional nursing program may enable you to become a neonatal nurse in a little over four years and a NICU nurse in about five to six years. This timeline also varies based on employers’ work experience requirements.
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Important Skills for NICU Nurses to Succeed
When considering how to become a NICU nurse, it’s essential to explore the importance of skill development. NICU nurses need strong clinical skills in areas such as:
- Emergency care
- Feeding and nutritional support
- Infection control
- Medication management and administration
- Patient assessment
- Patient education
- Respiratory care
They also need a diverse range of soft skills, such as:
- Ability to stay calm under pressure
- Adaptability
- Attention to detail
- Communication skills
- Compassion and empathy
- Critical thinking and decision-making
- Teamwork
NICU Nurse Salary and Career Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for all types of RNs was $93,600 as of May 2024. Meanwhile, the job growth rate is projected to be 5% from 2024 through 2034, faster than average for all occupations.
The BLS doesn’t track employment data for NICU nurses specifically; however, neonatal nurses may have high earning potential because of the complexity of their specialization.
Start Your Journey to Becoming a NICU Nurse
You can discover how to become a neonatal nurse faster at Concordia Texas. If you have completed a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or hold at least 60 college credits, you may be eligible to apply to our ABSN track and earn your BSN in as few as 16 months after completing prerequisites.
The ABSN track includes a values-based nursing education that emphasizes professional responsibility and ethics and offers students personalized support from academic success coaches and dedicated faculty. Request information and connect with an admissions counselor today.