Nursery Levels

• Neonatal nurses work in one of three levels created by the Perinatal Regionalization Model. Nursery levels are divided based on the health of the newborn. They are designed so that each infant receives the best possible health care:
  
  Level I: This nursery is for healthy infants. This type of nursery is rare in today's hospitals because new mothers and healthy infants are released two to three days after birth.
  
  Level II: This nursery is for sick or premature infants. Infants in a level II nursery may require specialized feedings, intravenous therapy, or more time to grow and mature before being released.
  
  Level III: This nursery is for very sick or premature infants. Infants in this nursery often require high technology care, such as an incubator or surgery.
  
  

Work Environments

• Neonatal nurses can find work in general hospitals or children's hospitals. Intensive care units are where most neonatal nurses work because infants in the ICU need the most attention and specialized health care. Neonatal nurses may also work in nurseries that care for healthy newborn babies.
  
  

Qualifications

• Each institution differs on what requirements are needed for employment as a neonatal nurse. Some institutions only require neonatal nurses to have completed one year of adult health or medical nursing classes. Other institutions require an RN degree from an accredited university. Requirements regarding previous experience also vary; however, several institutions do not require neonatal nurses to have working experience.
  
  

Education

• It takes four years or more to receive an RN bachelor's degree. Upon graduation, students must take the state licensing exam to become an RN. There are no classes relating specifically to neonatal nursing in basic RN programs. Graduate school is a possibility for RNs wishing to obtain a position as a neonatal nurse practitioner.
  
  

Salary

• Salaries of neonatal nurses depend on the cost of living in the area in which they are employed. Neonatal nurses with no experience and working in the Midwest typically start out at $30,000 to $45,000 annually. The salary for neonatal nurses working on either coast of the United States is usually higher, where beginning neonatal nurses can make up to $48,000 annually.