10 May 2012

Neonatal Nurse Salary: What To Expect

By Mary Pilkinson


What to expect for a neonatal nurse salary varies a great deal depending on the level of education and the years of experience. This is still a rather new branch of nursing and there are many variables and factors involved in determining the salary. On the average, though, those who qualify can expect to receive between $48,000 to $68,000 annually.

Newborn infants are the specialty training of a neonatal medical expert. Caring for healthy infants is important to know. But it is equally important to be able to diagnose any serious problems that might arise with newborns. Being able to analyze the problem and take action is essential. Newborns are very delicate and overlooking just a small detail in their condition can be crucial.

Generally speaking, there are 3 categories for this type of nursing and the pay scale rises according to the level of expertise required. Level One means general care for normal infants, making sure they are fed, content and happy. Level Two involves caring for those with breathing difficulties or other unusual conditions. Level Three means caring for newborns who are in ICU or just had an operation.

Anyone who chooses to make this field his professional choice needs commitment and focus. That is because the educational requirements are quite high, from six to ten years. It is also necessary to have 600 hours of hospital experience. Those who want to be successful must be prepared for additional training and studying throughout their career.

One option after graduating from college with a bachelor degree is to go on to nursing school. The fastest way to finish the schooling prerequisites, though, is by enrolling in a four year nursing college that gives graduates a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. By enrolling in a college or university that offers such a program, it is possible to get the BSN degree faster.

It is advisable to get a BSN degree for those who want a managerial position and better pay. The hiring options are also better for those who have this degree. After obtaining the degree, the next objective is becoming a registered nurse. The requirements differ from state to state but everywhere in the USA, employees will expect their employees to have taken the state nursing exam which leads to being a registered nurse.

Since this is such a specialized field, income levels are affected by numerous factors. These factors include having a degree in nursing as well as having the state issued RN license. Another factor affecting income is the length of time spent doing hospital work. An entry level income in the range of $50,000 to $70,000 is reserved for those with less than one year on the job.

Those with one to five years of experience are considered medium income earners and can expect income in the range of $69,000 to $81,000. Those who have six to ten years of experience can often command a salary close to $100,000.

In general, the neonatal nurse salary is dependent on the educational level achieved along with the hours of hospital work accomplished. Income levels can also be affected by geographic location. In other words, if there is a shortage of experienced medical staff in a particular country, such as Australia, it is possible to command a higher salary.




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