Neonatal nursing is one of the most rewarding careers in medicine. It provides a chance to help new life and also gives you an opportunity to learn about human development and care.
To help you find the right college for your future, we’ve compiled this list of the best colleges for neonatal nursing with a good and rewarding program schedule.
What Is Neonatal Nursing?
Neonatal care is a field of health care that focuses on caring for premature babies or babies with health problems such as birth defects, infections, or heart defects.
Neonatal nurses are recognized registered nurses that specialize in working with these infants. Today, neonatal nurses work in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) while providing highly specialized medical care for at-risk newborns.
Neonatal nurses mainly work with infants under one month of age, although they may work with children up to infancy. Many of their patients are admitted to intensive care due to premature birth or serious illness.
Neonatal nurses are well versed in the intricacies of caring for infants, which includes the application of special procedures for blood draws, intravenous infusions, and oxygen administration.
Neonatal nurses are in charge of a variety of tasks, from changing diapers to administering medications. On each NICU shift, they are responsible for one to four babies with different needs and problems.
Many work with the same children until they are discharged, but some may offer in-home care. Those with advanced certification work as part of an operations team or assist in high-risk work and delivery situations.
Neonatal nurses work with newborns with various problems, such as birth defects, premature babies, surgical problems, and other body malformations. The spectrum of a neonatal nurse ranges from minimal supportive care to highly complex intensive care.
The neonatal period is described as the first month of life, but these newborns tend to be sick for months. This area includes newborns who have problems after birth, infants who are sick after birth, and those who have chronic conditions due to premature birth.
Best Colleges For Neonatal Nursing
1. Duke University
The renowned Duke University is located in Durham, North Carolina, and has a neonatal nursing program that offers both an undergraduate and graduate degree. The program is offered at the University’s School of Nursing.
The Duke University Neonatal Nurse Faculty includes faculty members with expertise in pediatrics, neonatology, maternal-fetal medicine, and perinatal science, as well as research methods and clinical experience.
Their goal is to provide exceptional care while educating future nurses who will continue their education at other institutions worldwide.
Duke’s student body includes approximately 600 students enrolled in both undergraduate and graduate programs, including minors offered through different departments such as biology or chemistry, depending on your major field of study.
2. University Of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a leading university in the United States. It offers excellent programs in engineering, medicine, and nursing.
In addition to these fields, it also has an excellent program for nursing students who want to specialize in neonatal care.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing offers an MNSN (Master’s in Neonatal Nursing) that allows you to become an expert on newborn babies and their care needs.
The curriculum includes classes such as introduction to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), basic life support for premature infants, human growth & development through early childhood stages, etc.
This will help you gain knowledge about how a newborn baby functions at different ages, from birth through adolescence to adulthood, when he/she becomes an independent adult living.
No wonder many employers prefer hiring individuals with experience working within similar industries, such as the healthcare services sector.
3. Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University in Nashville was ranked #4 in U.S. magazine’s Best Pediatric Nursing Schools. News and World Report for 2019 and the School of Nursing was ranked No. 8 in the magazine’s 2019 national rankings for graduate nursing programs.
This private research university was also ranked No. 14 among the nation’s top colleges. The school offers a neonatology nursing program leading to a post-masters certificate. Applicants must have an MSN and at least two years of experience with high-risk neonates.
Graduates of the program are qualified to work in nurseries for newborns, intermediate care nurseries, and intensive care nurseries for newborns. The program is also offered as a distance learning course through the weekend and online courses.
4. University Of Washington
The University of Washington is recognized as an excellent public university in Seattle, Washington. It was founded in 1861 and offered both undergraduate and graduate degrees to students from around the world.
The University of Washington has been ranked as one of the best nursing schools in the country by the United State News & World Report for many years now. Moreover, it has received numerous awards for its research facilities and clinical programs over time as well.
5. Yale University School Of Nursing
Yale University School of Nursing is one of the best colleges for neonatal nursing. The school is located in New Haven, Connecticut, and has been ranked #1 for master’s degrees in nursing and midwifery programs. However, they also received a ranking of #2 for doctorate degrees in nursing.
The school currently offers over 100 accredited programs to students interested in pursuing a lucrative career as a nurse practitioner or nurse educator after graduation; these include certificates, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral programs.
6. Emory University
Emory University School of Nursing is located in Atlanta, Georgia. The school was founded in 1866 and offered an undergraduate program as well as a graduate program.
The undergraduate program offers bachelor’s degrees in nursing, medical assisting, and health information technology.
In addition to these programs, Emory University also offers master’s degrees in public health sciences (MPH) or healthcare management (MHA).
The university has an excellent reputation for providing students with high-quality education during their time at this prestigious university.
7 .College Of Nursing At The University Of Illinois At Chicago
The United States College of Nursing at the University of Illinois at Chicago is an excellent choice for a career in neonatal nursing.
The university offers a four-year bachelor’s degree program with options to earn a master’s degree in addition to the four-year undergraduate program.
According to U.S News & World Report, this college has been ranked as one of the best educative schools in Illinois and among some of America’s top nursing programs overall.
The cost per year is $24,565; however, scholarships are available based on financial need or academic excellence, which can reduce costs significantly if you qualify for them.
8. Johns Hopkins University
Yes! The Johns Hopkins University. This is a private research university in Baltimore, Maryland. It was founded in 1876 and is named after its founder, Johns Hopkins.
The school has been ranked as the #1 institution for nursing education by U.S News & World Report for five years running (2012-2017) and was awarded an additional “A” rating by the Carnegie Foundation in 2017 based on its commitment to excellence as well as its strength in research activities, including clinical care.
Johns Hopkins’s Master of Science degree program offers two tracks: one focuses on neonatal nursing practice while the other provides students with advanced training in areas such as leadership development or health policy development.
This is done through collaboration with local politicians/government officials who may influence policy decisions regarding healthcare delivery systems at large.
9. Georgetown University School Of Nursing & Health Studies
The famous Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies is located in Washington, DC, and is part of the nation’s oldest private research university.
The school offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree that includes core classes in anatomy, biochemistry, and microbiology; clinical studies; women’s health; gerontology; mental health disorders; research methods and statistics.
Students can also choose to pursue an accelerated bachelor’s program or dual-degree programs that allow them to earn two degrees from Georgetown University at once.
The degrees are an MBA with a concentration in management or human resources management and a master’s degree with advanced standing toward the Ph.D. program offered by the school’s Graduate School of Arts & Sciences or another graduate school within Georgetown University.
10. Johns Hopkins University School Of Medicine In Baltimore, Md
The renowned Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD, is one of the top-rated medical schools in the United States.
It specializes in neonatal nursing and has been ranked #1 for research and #5 for primary care by U.S News & World Report.
Students who choose to attend this school will be able to gain access to some of the most advanced technologies available today, such as PET/CT scanners and MRI machines.
Students can expect excellence from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine faculty members as well: they were named “Best Faculty” by USN&WR for four years running (2013-2017).
FAQ
What Is The Top Pay For Neonatal Nurses?
Most neonatal nurses earn between $74,000 and $127,000. However, salaries ranged from as little as $24,500 to as high as $156,500.18
What Is #1 Nursing School In N.C.?
Appalachian State University. Appalachian State University offers one of the unique settings for a school in North Carolina.
What Is The Number 1 Nursing School In The U.S.?
The National League for Nursing has named the Duke University School of Nursing a Center of Excellence. The school consistently ranks among the top in the nation for the top MSN and DNP programs in the U.S. News & World Report.
Is Neonatal Nursing In High Demand?
These nurses need to have extensive knowledge and professional skills to care for critically ill and premature newborns. As such, neonatal and intensive care nurses, known as NICU nurses, are in high demand.
Which State Pays Neonatal Nurses The Most?
According to them, the highest-paying state for neonatal nurses is New York, with an annual salary of $108,499, and the lowest-paying state is North Carolina, with an annual salary of $78,345.
Is Neonatal Nursing A Good Career?
According to July 2022 Payscale data, neonatal nurses can expect to earn $71,060, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting job growth of 9% for all registered nurses (RNs) from 2020-2030.
How Many Hours Do Neonatal Nurses Work?
It is common for nurses, including ICU nurses, to work 12-hour shifts, but some hospitals and care facilities have eight-hour shifts available.
While there may be some mid-shift schedules, it is typical for ICU nurses to work either from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or the opposite schedule.
What Is An R.N. Salary In N.C.?
The average annual salary of $72,220 for registered nurses in North Carolina falls more than $10,000 below the national average. The state’s cost of living index of 91.8 is 8.2% lower than the U.S. average.
Is Nursing One Of The Hardest Degrees?
There is a rumor that the Guinness Book of World Records has declared a Bachelor of Science in Nursing as the hardest of all bachelor’s degrees. There is no truth to this statement.
How Hard Is Neonatal Nursing?
If you’re considering a career as a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse, congratulationsNICU; nurses have one of the toughest jobs in medicine.
A NICU nurse is a nursing specialty that cares for sick or premature babies, including babies with birth defects.
Conclusion
We hope our list of the best Colleges for Neonatal Nursing has helped you narrow your search to the perfect college or university for your needs.
In addition, we encourage you to look at other reliable resources, such as visiting the websites of these schools to find additional information about schools’ programs and application requirements.