College level nursing degree programs are available at the associate’s, bachelors, and graduate levels. After earning a degree, nursing school graduates are required to become licensed as registered nurses by passing a state test before they can practice professionally. Neonatal nursing degrees are not available at the undergraduate level, but most undergraduate degree programs offer neonatal nursing courses. Aspiring neonatal nurses should …show more content…
Most healthcare providers test neonatal nurses for capability in administering medications, intravenous lines and performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other neonatal medical procedures. Each state’s board of nursing determines continuing education requirements for neonatal nurses. Most boards require nurses to complete a specified amount of continuing education hours every 2-4 years to retain licenses. Many advanced practitioners and staff nurses are required to become nationally certified by passing an exam covering neonatal nursing concepts.
Each healthcare organization has different requirements for neonatal nursing entry-level positions. Some organizations require 1 year or more of nursing experience, while others hire registered nurses who’ve recently graduated from college. Likewise, some organizations do not have work experience requirements. Although demand for nurses is high nationwide, certain regions of the country have more open neonatal nursing positions than