Job Description
Neonatal nursing is a subspecialty of nursing that works with newborn (neonate) infants born either premature or with conditions such as congenital birth defects, infection, cardiac malformations, and surgical problems. The neonatal period is defined as the first month of life; however, some newborns born extremely premature or with other problems can require care for longer.
Neonatal nurses provide 24-hour care in intensive care, high dependency, or special care units.Some neonatal nurses work in the community, providing continuing care and support for babies and their families who have been recently discharged from hospital.
An important role to being a neonatal nurse is to encourage and support parents to care for their baby whilst on the neonatal unit.
Everyday tasks might include:
- Preparing, checking and administering medications
- Managing a baby’s fluids
- Recording observations and documenting a baby’s care
- Initiating appropriate resuscitation in an emergency
- Focusing on family centred care
As a neonatal nurse you will be responsible for babies with varied health needs. You will need to be organised, flexible and be able to prioritise tasks. You will need to be observant with the ability to assess patients and their needs and take appropriate action. Being a nurse also requires empathy, compassion and understanding for the families of the babies that you will be caring for.
How to become a neonatal nurse
In order to begin working in neonatal services you will need to be a registered adult nurse,child nurseormidwife, or a registered nursing associate. You can explore the ways into these nursing roles below.
Degree route
Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA)
Nursing Associate
Once you have become a registered nurse or nursing associate you can then apply for roles within neonatal services. Some neonatal units may ask for experience or knowledge ofneonatalnursing issues e.g. handling bereavements or related areas, or support with breast feeding/feeding issues.
Ideally you will have undertaken a clinical placement or participated in a neonatal masterclass event within neonatal services as a student.
There are three levels of care: intensive care for the most seriously ill babies, high dependency for those who are not so critically ill but still need complex care and special care for less sick babies who are catching up on growth and development after a premature birth or are getting better after more complex care. It is important to understand the difference in the care they deliver before applying to ensure it’s right for you.
Progression opportunities
All neonatal units within the South East region offer a specific Network delivered Preceptorship/ Foundation Education Programme for all newly qualified staff or new to specialty staff. The programmes enable you to gain skills, knowledge and competency in the foundations of neonatal care. You can find out more about the Preceptorship/Foundation Education Programmes here.
Once you have completed the Preceptorship /Foundation Programme you will have a period for consolidation of learning in preparation for Qualified in Specialty (QIS) which is a role essential training programme for neonatal nurses. You will be funded through your unit as determined by both your and the unit training needs analysis. You can find out more about the Thames Valley and Wessex QIS Education Programme here . Units within Kent, Surrey and Sussex, will support nurses through a university run QIS course.
When you are a QIS nurse there is a range of quality roles that a neonatal nurse can move into.
Contact:
For further information please get in touch stating which unit you would be interested in finding out more about:
Janine Snook, Neonatal Community Outreach Nurse I knew that I wanted to look after premature babies from leaving school. Completing...
Hannah Wells, Neonatal Surgical Specialist Nurse I have always known surgical nursing was for me. I worked as a health...
Alex Dawson, Neonatal Feeding Specialist My background is high dependency nursing; where I fostered an interest in family focussed care....
Susan Thomas, SCU Practice Educator My role as clinical educator on the Special Care Unit at Dorchester involves coordinating monthly...
Marian Forster, LNU Practice Educator I’m Marian Forster, Practice Educator in a busy Local Neonatal Unit. My role is full-time....
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