Resources For Nurses In Texas
Professional resources benefit Texas nursing students in many ways. Nursing journals inform students, helping them master coursework, and advance professional training. Nursing organizations often accept student members and provide helpful services, like job boards and career counseling.
Review the following resources, then access a complete list of helpful nursing resources at BestColleges.com.
List Of Colleges Offeringneonatal Nursing
Most programs assume that you are already a well-educatedand practicing neonatal nurse with a minimum of 3.0 in your college career.Programs prepare students for a challenging career in the neonatal departmentand help those who need to go through these units with their premature babies.
Here are the majority of schools providing neonatal care: some of them also offer an online degree
Specialty Education And Certifications
You can become a neonatal nurse through either in-person or online programs, allowing you the flexibility to earn the degree while maintaining professional and personal commitments. Many programs are 100% online with the exception of your clinical practicum experience, which are typically arranged in your local area. Additionally, some programs require a residency. Education and certifications will vary based on the career path you select. A couple options include:
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NICU RN: As a NICU nurse, you need to earn your RN and then can continue your education to complete RNC or CCRN certification.
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Neonatal NP: You can also become a neonatal nurse practitioner which requires you to earn an RN license and complete graduate education and then take the NP certification exam.
Continuing education requirements depend on the regulations in your state and the mandates set forth by your certification organization. Regardless of your selection, youll need to stay up to date on continuing education requirements to maintain licensure and any certifications.
Don’t Miss: Private Schools With Nursing Programs In California
Nell Hodgson Woodruff School Of Nursing Emory University Atlanta Ga
Tuition fees: $46,314 per year
The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program at Emory Universityis the only program in the state of Georgia and offers a hybrid format forstudents.
Program graduates have the experience they need to easilyfind work in a neonatal hospital. The program requires students to takepersonal classes, online content, and 700 hours of direct patient care.
Program: BSN, MSN, Accelerated BSN
How Much Can You Make As A Neonatal Nurse
According to 2020 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics , the average wage for registered nurses was $80,010 per year .* Pay varies based on many factors such as years of experience, the type of healthcare facility, your specialty in nursing and the state in which you practice.
Registered nurses with specializations such as neonatal/NICU care require higher levels of training and experienceand have the potential to earn an above average salary.
Are You Destined To Become A Neonatal Nurse
If youre compassionate and willing to go the extra mile to acquire the necessary experience and education, a rewarding career treating newborns and supporting their families could be the perfect fit for you.
Neonatal nursing is not for the faint of heart, but for the right personits a nursing career that puts you in contact with the patients you love most. If youre ready to get started on your journey toward becoming a neonatal nurse, check out our article, How to Become a Registered Nurse: Your 4-Step Guide.
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, www.bls.gov/ooh/. Information represents national, averaged data for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.2Burning-Glass.com EDITORS NOTE: This article was originally published in 2015. It has since been updated to include information relevant to 2020.
The Average Salary Of A Nicu Nurse
The national average salary for a NICU intensive care unit nurse is $1,733 per week with a salary range between $600 to $3,300 per week. NICU nurses usually work full-time positions on varying shifts. Some NICU nurses work per diemor the days they are needed by the hospital.
The salary of a NICU nurse varies based on their level of:
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Education
Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing
Neonatal nursing is a distinct specialty in which nurses devote their skills to newborns in need of specialized care. Modern, hospital based care of the newborns takes place in specialized nurseries and neonatal intensive care units. There are specific roles for a neonatal nurse, distinct qualifications, and various nursing practice settings. However, the core nursing process employed when taking care of newborns is the same as in other practice settings and consists of assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. A neonatal nurse has the option to work in neonatal intensive care units providing direct care to acutely ill newborns and premature infants or may find employment in mother-baby or newborn nurseries taking care of healthy newborns.
The nurse working in a Level II nursery, also called an intermediate care or special care nursery, is responsible for taking care of premature newborns and babies who usually suffer from illnesses. The staff nurse performs duties such as administering supplemental oxygen, maintaining a feeding schedule, maintaining intravenous therapy, administering shots and oral medications, monitoring vital signs such as temperature, pulse, heart rate and respiratory pattern, bathing, changing, and weighing the infant. The newborn will be kept in a Level II nursery until it is sufficiently mature and stable at which point discharge procedures begin and follow ups will be conducted at a newborn follow – up clinic.
Is Neonatal Nursing The Right Specialty For You
Most people who try to pursue a neonatal nursing career find out pretty quickly if theyre suited for the demands.
There are emotional and spiritual aspects to the job that may not come naturally to some nursing students, Morgan notes. Morgans mother is a retired neonatal nurse, so she has been steeped in the care of newborns from an early age.
Many times, neonatal nurses work with new parents during a time of crisis and worry. They are often scared or in panic mode, Morgan says. Some are recovering from drugs. you can go from crying and grieving to joyful in the same hour. Its not a skill you just walk in with. There are a lot of wonderful things and sad things that can happen, and then a miracle can occurthey stay with you.
Its so miraculous when a you see a baby take its first breath, says Edwards. Its very special to work in that environment.
Associate Degree In Nursing
The associate degree in nursing typically takes two years to complete and includes a blend of classroom instruction and clinical training. After finishing their degree and becoming licensed, graduates can move directly into work as a registered nurse. Once obtaining a nursing position, they can begin training for a neonatal unit, maternity floor, or other opportunities leading to work as a neonatal nurse.
This degree level typically includes general education courses forming a firm foundation for more advanced nursing courses. Classes focus on the basic knowledge and skills an individual will need to step into the role of registered nurse. The table below illustrates a few common courses from associate degree programs around the country.
Introduction to Nursing Practice
Focuses on the basics of nursing practice, caring for anyone from the neonate to the geriatric includes basic assessment and practical skills.
Skills & Knowledge Gained
- Ability to identify and use common pharmaceuticals in hospital settings Understanding of dosages and proper drugs for specific illnesses, injuries, and body weights Awareness of adverse effects or possible drug interactions
Find The Best Nicu Nurse Jobs
The NICU nursing career is taking a turn for the better, in that not only is it a rewarding job, both in cash and emotion, it is also fulfilling, plus it gives the nurses a sense of parenthood.
Because of this, many people decide to go into the field of neonatal nursing. Because this field needs so many hands, there are so many places you can find the job. Ill go on ahead to list some of the best NICU nursing centers.
The best opportunities where you can get the NICU nursing job is in a large hospital, where they have the NICU department, with level 2 and three care.
Some large hospitals include:
There are the professional educator nursing NICU services at Atlanta, Georgia
You can also apply for a NICU nursing Job at the registered nurses neonatal ICU/NICU, over at Dallas city.
There is also an opening at the critical care RN trainee: burn/ Critical care/ED/labor and delivery/ NICU/OR/PACU, located at Bernardino County, at CA.
There is also the RN Special Care Nursery NICU, where you can apply as a NICU nurse. You can find the institute at Northside Hospital, Cumming, GA
Last on my list will be the registered nurses-NICU-Wolfson Childrens Hospital, over at Baptist health, all the way in Jacksonville, FL 32207
For more information on how to get a job on NICU nursing online, you can search online, type in Find the Best NICU Nurse Jobs and youre good to go.
Top Employing States For Rns
Salary and employment trends vary by several factors, including location and specialization . BLS data shows that the states with the highest concentration for RNs, including NICU nurses, are South Dakota, West Virginia, Mississippi, Rhode Island, and Delaware. Average salary figures for these states, as reported by ZipRecruiter, range from $84,000-$103,000, with nurses in Rhode Island and Delaware earning the highest rates.
California ranks as the top-paying state for the profession, with RNs earning average salaries of $113,240, according to the BLS. Other top-paying regions include Hawaii, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, and Oregon, where the mean earnings range from $92,960-$104,060. The top-paying metro areas for RNs are all located in California the San Jose/Sunnyvale/Santa Clara region ranks highest, with average earnings reaching $140,740.
Career Development And Advancement
Neonatal nurses at some facilities participate on flight or ground transport teams. They care for infants who are en route to facilities that have NICUs at the appropriate level. Some experienced nurses have, as their primary duty, critical care transport. Flight nurses may also care for older infants and children.
Some neonatal nurses contribute to the profession through their ideas. Major facilities may have committees such as parent advisory and developmental care. Developmental care is a potential area for career advancement.
Some neonatal nurses go on to become neonatal nurse practitioners, an advanced practice role. Advanced practice requires at least a masters degree. Training often takes place at the doctoral level.
Life on the neonatal ward is changing. The National Association of Neonatal Nurses reports that medical breakthroughs have increased the survival rate for vulnerable low birth-weight babies by 10 times in just 15 years .
Some neonatal advances are high tech. MedStar Georgetown cites the following among the therapies they are equipped to utilize: extracorporeal membrane oxygenation , high frequency oscillator ventilation, and bedside patent ductus arteriosus ligation.
Neonatal units are also seeing a return to good old-fashioned care, including the importance of physical contact and nurturing. They may utilize baby cuddlers. One may find infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome being treated with massage.
How To Become A Nicu Nurse
What Is a NICU Nurse?
A NICU nurse is a neonatal nurse, with the primary duty of care. Care in the sense that they have a special duty to provide care .
To better clarify, the neonatal nurses are a special class of nurses that provide care primarily for babies that are either sick from birth or premature.
In other words, these nurses have the sole duty of ensuring that they take proper care of babies who fall into this category.
Their workstation is the intensive care unit, always on the lookout for babies that cannot survive without immediate extra care.
Job Outlook And Earning Potential For Neonatal Nurses
Neonatal nurses earn an average of $73,880 annually, but there are multiple factors that can influence earning potential, including where you live, how much experience you have and your level of education.
Regardless, the overall demand for neonatal nurses is increasing and the Bureau of Labor statistics anticipates a 7% growth between 2019 and 2029. Growth is estimated to add about 175,900 job opportunities each year. This growth is the result of new jobs being added due to increased demand and also due to existing neonatal nurses retiring or moving on to other areas of interest. Job growth is consistent across the U.S. however, some areas are experiencing faster growth than normal for nursing. For example, California is ranked among the top-paying states for this specialty. Other top-paying areas include Hawaii, Oregon, the District of Columbia and Massachusetts.
What Is A Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
A neonatal nurse practitioner is a highly skilled, highly educated advanced practice registered nurse who is responsible for providing specialized care to newborn infants who are experiencing a broad range of acuity and states of health, including prematurity, low birth weight, infections, genetic disorders, congenital heart abnormalities, and respiratory problems. Neonatal nurse practitioners should also be well versed in the diagnoses of other health conditions. NNPs care for neonates who require constant attention and frequently act as primary caregivers to premature or ill newborn infants. Neonatal nurse practitioners can often be found working in intensive care units, delivery rooms, emergency rooms, and specialty clinics. In spite of the fact that neonatal nurse practitioners work under the instruction of a neonatologist physician or neonatal fellow, NNPs assume absolute responsibility for their patients’ health, employing judgment when required to evaluate, consider, diagnose, and commence medical procedures.
Let Us Guide You On Your Journey
American Mobile will be your support during the process of becoming a traveling nurse. We wont try to get you to take positions that arent directly associated with your own personal career or lifestyle goals. We believe in working together to help you achieve whatever will put a smile on your face.
To find out more about NICU travel nursing jobs, connect with a recruiter today. Together, well make some great things happen.
Becoming Licensed In Texas
Nursing facilities must be licensed to operate in Texas.
To become licensed, a provider must submit through the TULIP website:
- A completed application.
- Pay the required license fee.
- Be registered with and in good standing from the Texas State Comptroller of Public Accounts.
- Be registered with and in good standing with the Texas Secretary of State.
- Approved by HHS Licensing and Certification Unit.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Travel Nursing Jobs And Salary
The work of neonatal intensive care unit nurses’ inspires us every day. When we send NICU travel nurses on assignment, we know that their heart is in it and that they will give the best medical attention they can to the young patients in their care.
NICU travel nurses perform the same duties as staff nurses who work full-time jobs in a single location. NICU nurses often carry a hard-working demeanor and bring their adaptable skills to any neonatal intensive care unit. NICU nurses help care for premature newborns who have critical illnesses and act as a patient advocate for the young.
If you are considering becoming a NICU travel nurse, youll have the ability to see the country and check off cities and states from your bucket list, while growing your nursing resume.
Earn A Nursing Degree
Due to the extra delicate nature of the job, a typical NICU staff nurse needs to be a registered nurse with at least an Associates degree in Nursing or Bachelors degree in Nursing . You can also get a diploma degree from a hospital-based school of nursing.
If your nursing experience and specialty are in a different field, then you need to enroll in an accelerated program to earn a BSN or a Masters in Nursing .
If the NICU is your calling, then it is best to gain experience from newborn nurseries or pediatric departments after earning your degree or diploma. Your experience will give you the additional leeway to enter the NICU successfully.
Ten Neonatal Nurse Jobs
The more advanced your degrees and/or certifications are, the more likely you are to get the position you want as a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse.
The best opportunities will be in large hospitals that have a full-fledged NICU department that provides both level II and level III care.
NICU nurses play perhaps one of the most important roles in our health care system in that they are there when life begins, and are often instrumental in helping high-risk newborns survive and thrive. They also act as a great source of comfort and information to the parents who spend those first few days or weeks as parents in the NICU.
For aspiring nurses who love the idea of working with infants to improve their health and get them home, NICU nursing is not only a high-demand specialization, but also a fulfilling career choice. Check out NICU nurse jobs hiring now on our job board.
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Levels Of Neonatal Care
There are different levels of NICU for babies born at different gestational ages and birth weights and with varying levels of acuity. Higher levels are needed for babies who need more than brief assistance with breathing. Being born at a weight of three pounds puts a baby into a high risk category (though much smaller babies now routinely survive.
Newborns go to a special care unit where there is moderate risk for complications. Special care is sometimes referred to as a Level II NICU. Level II nurseries are not designed to provided artificial ventilation for the long-term.
Level III is a true neonatal intensive care unit. Artificial ventilation is provided for more extended time periods. Pediatric surgeons and medical sub-specialists are available to manage more serious medical needs. These are high-volume units it makes a difference in outcomes!
Level IV, or regional neonatal intensive care unit, is higher yet. NICUs with this designation manage complex cases the institution is able to perform complex surgeries on neonates.
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, a Level IV facility, notes the following among the commonly treated conditions: extreme prematurity, septic shock, neonatal encephalopathy, neurologic disorders, and surgical needs.
NICUs utilize nurses with varied skill sets. Some babies have matured to the point where they breathe well but need support feeding. Some NICUs utilize neonatal/ lactation nurses.