In major hospitals with neonatal intensive care units, a neonatal nurse practitioner is a nurse practitioner who has been specially trained to care for critically ill or premature infants (NICUs). Programs to train for this specialty, which requires a master’s degree and two to three years of study after becoming a registered nurse, are frequently located near major hospitals, allowing for extensive patient care as part of the training. Some NICU nurses may have received training in acute care pediatric nursing instead, and work with patients of all ages in intensive care or acute care units.
These nurses can work in a variety of capacities. They frequently report to a neonatologist or other specialists who are responsible for the care of critically ill infants. They frequently supervise a caseload of patients and may have more direct contact with parents, particularly in large, extremely busy tertiary hospitals. Unlike registered nurses, who are usually not allowed to make many medical decisions without a doctor’s orders, neonatal nurse practitioners are able to give orders and make decisions about what types of care to pursue based on an urgent or emergency need. The extent to which practitioners consult with overseeing physicians about orders varies by facility.
The neonatal nurse practitioner differs from doctors in that she entered the field after working as a nurse. Many master’s programs require a year or more of experience in neonatal nursing, which means that practitioners may have spent a significant amount of time not only caring for their tiny patients but also educating their families about what is going on. Neonatal nurses go above and beyond to assist parents in dealing with their sick children. When a nurse becomes a neonatal nurse practitioner, this experience often comes in handy. Involving the family in the process, carefully explaining the diagnosis, and listening to family concerns may make more sense.
Many families who have worked with these nurse specialists find them to be a valuable addition to medical teams, especially when it comes to answering questions. Nurse practitioners may also be beneficial because they are more accessible, depending on the number of nurse practitioners employed. While parents may only see a neonatologist once a day, they may see a nurse practitioner multiple times.
Many nursing and/or medical schools offer training to become a neonatal nurse practitioner to those who are interested. Though the requirements for each program may vary, most will require a bachelor’s degree and registration as a registered nurse. Nurses must often take examinations to be certified as practitioners after completing programs, which can take two to three years. Many hospitals that employ neonatal nurses offer nurse practitioner training programs, which may guarantee employment as a practitioner after completion of the program.