What does a Neonatal Nurse do?

Neonatal Nurses are responsible for caring for infants that need treatment and sharing information about the baby’s condition with the parents. They record details of the baby’s treatment, keep records of their fluid intake and deliver various therapies and diagnostic tests. They also perform a range of lifesaving treatments in emergency situations, including resuscitation and defibrillation. Neonatal Nurses can work in special care baby units (SCBU), Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU), High Dependency Units (HDU) and on other specialist wards. They work with specialists from a range of disciplines including Midwives, Dietitians and Paediatricians.

Neonatal Nurse skills and qualifications

A successful Neonatal Nurse candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications, that typically include:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work well within a team
• The ability to maintain a calm and professional approach towards patients at all times
• Clinical and diagnostic skills
• The ability to multitask and prioritise effectively, even in stressful situations
• Excellent attention to detail
• The flexibility to adapt to changes quickly and efficiently
• Resilience and ability to work in emotionally volatile conditions

Neonatal Nurse experience requirements

Neonatal Nurses usually have experience of nursing in a range of settings and typically need at least some experience of working in the NICU. They need to be able to use equipment such as ventilators, feeding pumps, incubators and other monitoring equipment. Neonatal Nurses may be required to have experience of working with newborns and their families to ensure that they understand any particular care needs or treatments that parents might have to manage at home. Depending on their responsibilities, Neonatal Nurses may need experience in specific areas such as breastfeeding, birth injuries or neonatal intubation.

Neonatal Nurse education and training requirements

Neonatal Nurses need to have a degree in nursing or equivalent, which covers all the practical clinical skills required and a range of theory and research. Some complete their degree through a nursing apprenticeship and others start as Nursing Associates and then add to their skills in order to qualify as a Nurse.

Neonatal Nurses also need to be registered as either an Adult or Child Nurse or a Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). This registration must be re-validated every three years. Neonatal Nurses may complete additional training available from certified providers such as the Royal College of Nursing and the NHS. The NMC maintains a database of institutions and courses that meet with their quality standards, including programmes in different nursing specialisms.

Job description samples for similar positions

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