Monday, 12 January 2015

Basics Related To Neonatal Nurses Education

By Enid Hinton


Nurse practitioners have an important role in the field of medicine. There are many different kinds of practitioners who may specialize in a particular niche, which is the case for the neonatal nurse. These professionals specialize in the care of neonates, which is another work for newborn babies. Neonatal nurses education may vary by location, but higher education is necessary to practice in this field professionally.

Overall, these practitioners provide a level of critical care to infants who are placed in ICU. However, there work might be more extensive. Sometimes practitioners serve as post-discharge or primary care provider for infants recently dismissed from NICU. Others might provide case management for different health care settings and communities. It is also not uncommon for these nurses to be expert consultants for those working in other units.

There are different levels within the neonatal nursery that these professional might work. In the first level, the tasks involve taking care of healthy newborns. Level two offers special or intermediate care for ill or premature neonates. In this level, the newborns might require special therapy offered by staff or need more time before he or she can be safely discharged.

The intensive care unit or NICU is considered the third level. This is where many newborns who cannot be treated elsewhere are sent. Usually these babies need more attention and care. In fact, they often require high technology for survival in their earlier days of life. This may include need for breathing or feeding tubes. Nurses make up approximately 90 percent of the staff members in the NICU.

Level four is the last. This involves the skills that are required of nurses in the third level but is associated with more intensive care. Typically it is reserved for the most complex and critical of cases. The staff available in this level include 24-hour surgeons and neonatologists who work hard to keep these babies alive. The care given to these babies often involves intricate surgical procedures.

Neonatal nurses play an integral role for newborns during their first 28 days of life, especially those who are ill or premature. In fact, the work they do is often vital. The term neonatal is derived from neo, meaning new, and natal, meaning origin or birth. Proper education is a must to take on this position.

Typically these nurses are required to complete postsecondary educational nursing programs. They must also earn their license through this education. The details of educational requirements may vary slightly based on location. Still, because of the responsibility assigned to people in this profession, education and proper training is essential. These professionals have a lot of duties, including giving medications, performing tests and taking record of vitals.

Master and bachelor programs are offered to those interested in this field. Nurses who have more education and experience will be given more opportunities, which could lead to higher pay and benefits. There will always be a high demand for these nurses. People who want to work in this field are encouraged to do their research to learn the ins and outs.




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