In This Article
- Postgraduate courses in neonatal care
- What is neonatal care?
- What is a neonatal nurse?
- What do neonatal nurses do?
- Where do neonatal nurses work?
- Neonatal nurse salary
- What’s the difference between a neonatal nurse and a paediatric nurse?
- Skills to thrive in a career as a neonatal nurse
- How to advance your expertise to become a neonatal nurse
- Pursue a meaningful career in neonatal care
Each year, more than 26,000 babies in Australia are born preterm and many of these babies are also born with developmental, congenital or other health concerns. These statistics indicate the demand for skilled neonatal nurses to deliver highly specialised care, helping to give babies a healthy start in life.
If you’re a registered nurse or midwife looking to advance your career into neonatal nursing, explore this helpful guide on how to make a move into this rewarding field. You’ll learn about different postgraduate course options, from graduate certificates through to master’s degrees. Find out how you can enhance your knowledge as a neonatal nurse to provide expert care to newborn babies and their families during the neonatal period.
Postgraduate courses in neonatal care
Postgraduate courses in neonatal care typically include graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and master’s degrees. These courses are designed to build upon your foundational health knowledge and nursing experience to deliver advanced skills in neonatal nursing. Some courses have a practical component, which helps you develop hands-on experience in neonatal settings.
Each course level varies in content depth, duration and expertise gained, allowing you to develop advanced clinical knowledge in neonatal care to the extent that matches your career goals. Understanding the differences between each course level will help you choose the most appropriate pathway for your specific professional ambitions, lifestyle and study needs.
Graduate certificates
Graduate certificates provide an introductory foundation to neonatal nursing concepts and clinical practice. They are ideal for nurses or midwives as a starting point to upskill in the field of neonatal care. These courses usually take between 6 and 12 months to complete, typically in a part-time study capacity.
Each course differs in its delivery mode, with some offered online, others on campus and some are a blended mode. These courses may cover topics including neonatal physiology, family-centred care, assessment and management of common neonatal presentations. You’ll learn valuable skills to work in special care nurseries, neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and other healthcare settings relevant to neonatal nursing.
For example, the University of Melbourne offers a Graduate Certificate in Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing. This 12-month course is aimed at nurses and midwives seeking to advance their careers in neonatal care settings, such as the complex NICU environment. It involves online study and in-person work-integrated learning components under supervision to put your neonatal nursing theory into practice. It is available to registered nurses and midwives with a minimum of 1 year of clinical experience and current employment in a neonatal setting.
The Australian College of Nursing’s Graduate Certificate in Neonatal Care is a face-to-face postgraduate course for nurses and midwives interested in developing skills in this specialisation. It is offered part-time over a 12-month duration, where you’ll learn the importance of family-centred and evidence-based care that supports neonates and their families during the crucial postnatal period. You can also choose between an intensive care and special care stream to tailor your studies to your workplace and professional interests. The Australian College of Nursing also offers the Graduate Certificate in Neonatal Care online for more flexibility to fit your studies around your work schedule and lifestyle.
Graduate diplomas
For a greater depth of knowledge in neonatal care, you can also pursue a graduate diploma. These courses cover more theoretical underpinnings and sometimes practical training to develop your skills further. They typically take between 12 and 24 months to complete part-time with a blend of online and on-campus learning, depending on the specific course.
For example, the University of Tasmania's Graduate Diploma of Advanced Nursing (Neonatal Care) helps nurses and midwives build their expertise in the theoretical and practical aspects of intensive and special care nursing. You’ll gain deeper knowledge of neonatal pathophysiology, advanced practice and advocacy skills for newborns and their families. You can also personalise your study experience to match your career goals by choosing either coursework, research or advanced practice pathways within this program.
Graduate diplomas can help prepare you for senior clinical roles as you become expertly skilled in this specialised field of nursing. They may also provide a stepping stone toward further study at the master’s degree level. This can enhance your career prospects and open up further opportunities to make an impact as a nurse in neonatal care.
Master’s degrees
A master’s degree in neonatal care provides a comprehensive level of education in this field. Courses at the master’s level typically take between 18 to 24 months to complete part-time. These courses are designed for midwives and registered nurses seeking to pursue advanced practice roles in leadership, management and to develop their expertise as a neonatal nurse.
These postgraduate courses usually include a research component and a practical placement component to consolidate your theoretical knowledge and apply your skills in real-world neonatal healthcare settings. The advanced knowledge acquired through a master’s degree in neonatal nursing can enable you to pursue roles as a nurse educator, nurse unit manager or clinical nurse specialist.
For example, the University of Tasmania’s Master of Advanced Nursing (Neonatal Care) delivers comprehensive skills in family-centred and neonatal care. This course takes three years to complete full-time and is delivered online to fit your studies around work and personal commitments. Similar to their graduate diploma, you can choose a tailored study experience through the completion of coursework, research or advanced practice pathways.
Each university has different entry requirements for neonatal nursing postgraduate courses. It’s advisable to check the specific prerequisites relevant to your chosen course to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for enrolment.
What is neonatal care?
The term ‘neonatal’ means newborn and neonatal care encompasses the specialised medical and nursing care given to newborn babies during the first 28 days of life.
Neonatal care commonly applies to babies born prematurely, with a low birth weight, with congenital or developmental health conditions or other complications from birth that require extra care, intervention or support.
The neonatal care field may include a variety of healthcare professionals, such as doctors, specialists, nurses, neonatologists and other multidisciplinary health professionals depending on the needs of babies in their care.
What is a neonatal nurse?
A neonatal nurse is a registered nurse or midwife with additional skills and knowledge in the specialisation of neonatal care. Neonatal nurses are also commonly known as NICU nurses and may work in dedicated intensive care environments as well as various other healthcare settings.
These nurses provide essential care to newborn babies who are ill or may be born with specific physical or developmental health challenges, such as respiratory distress, heart defects, neurological conditions and other conditions resulting from surgery.
Neonatal nurses provide specialised support using advanced equipment, interventions and care to help babies survive and thrive during the postnatal period. They also offer emotional support to families during a critical and vulnerable time in their lives.
What do neonatal nurses do?
Neonatal or NICU nurses have a range of roles and responsibilities depending on their work environment and the specific needs of their newborn patients.
Here is an overview of the typical responsibilities of neonatal nurses:
- Plans and implements appropriate nursing care for neonates according to accepted nursing practice and standards
- Monitors vital signs and assesses newborn health status using advanced equipment, such as pulse rate, glucose monitoring and ECG monitoring
- Administers medications and manages treatments, including delivery of intravenous therapy, ventilators and phototherapy devices
- Collaborates with multidisciplinary healthcare teams, including midwives, maternity teams, intensivists and allied health professionals to ensure comprehensive care for neonates
- Provides essential education, compassion and support to mothers and the families of neonate patients during this critical time
Where do neonatal nurses work?
Neonatal nurses can work in many healthcare environments. They primarily work in intensive care units and special care units within major hospitals. Beyond the below environments, neonatal nurses may also work in medical clinics, maternity wards, birthing centres and other healthcare settings that provide specialised care to newborns.
Here are some of the common settings where neonatal nurses can work:
Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs)
Neonatal nurses typically work in NICUs within hospitals, providing high-level nursing care to newborns in critical conditions. The role of a neonatal intensive care unit nurse is similar to a critical care nurse, where nurses continuously monitor patients under the guidance of doctors and specialists according to the needs of each patient.
Nurses in these environments provide care for babies who are premature, recovering from surgery or with a low birth weight. They may also look after babies from multiple births, such as twins or triplets, or those who have experienced complications during the birth process. Nurses in NICU settings are highly trained to implement sophisticated equipment that supports their health and wellbeing. They may use ventilators, IV medications, oximeters and respiratory monitors as an example.
Similar to other ICU settings, the NICU nurse-to-patient ratio is typically 1:1 or 1:2, allowing for a dedicated nurse to carefully monitor and respond promptly to the evolving needs of newborn babies with critical conditions. When a newborn has stabilised and no longer requires high-level NICU care, they may graduate to a special care nursery for monitoring and further care.
Special care nurseries (SCNs)
Special care nurseries or special care baby units provide care for babies who need specialised monitoring and support that’s greater than typically delivered on a maternity ward, yet not as high-level as an intensive care ward. Newborn babies may progress to an SCN as a step-down level of care after a period of time in NICU, or they may be transferred to special care following birth for additional treatment and monitoring.
Babies in an SCN may also have also been born prematurely, with jaundice, have low blood sugar or respiratory issues and need specialised support from neonatal nurses. The nurse-to-patient ratio in special care can be between 1:2 to 1:4. Lactation consultants, nurses and other healthcare professionals are available in an SCN to support mothers and families transitioning to a maternity ward or home. They may provide education and support with breastfeeding, physiotherapy and home care advice for their baby tailored to their needs.
Neonatal emergency transport
Neonatal nurses can work in neonatal transport services, playing an important role in ensuring newborns receive the specialised care they need during medical emergencies. They may work in collaboration with doctors and other healthcare professionals to support the safe transfer of newborn babies to hospitals, typically into NICU. Neonatal nurses may travel with patients in purpose-built vehicles or aeromedical crafts, using specialised equipment to provide care to each patient.
These services are especially vital in rural and remote parts of Australia and may operate in conjunction with the Royal Flying Doctor Services to provide high-level care and safe transportation. Each state and territory has unique services, such as the Newborn and Paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS) in New South Wales, the Paediatric Infant Perinatal Emergency Retrieval (PIPER) in Victoria and the Neonatal Retrieval Service (NeoRESQ) in Queensland. Neonatal nurses provide life-saving care for neonates while working in these transport and rescue services.
Community health services
As the health of the mother can directly impact the psychological, physical and emotional health of the baby, an integrated approach to care supporting maternal and child health is ideal. Neonatal nurses can find opportunities to work in community health settings, supporting new mothers and babies in the postnatal period.
They may provide follow-up care for newborns after their hospital discharge. Neonatal nurses may work in community health clinics or conduct home visits to educate and support families during this time. They may perform health checks, weight assessments or facilitate specialised transport services requiring intensive care. Neonatal nurses can also provide families with resources, tools and access to additional health providers where needed to meet the ongoing needs of their baby.
Neonatal nurse salary
The average annual salary in Australia for neonatal or NICU nurses based on the figures below is $99,000. Salaries in neonatal nursing may vary depending on location and experience.
Here are the average annual salaries for neonatal nurses across each Australian state and territory:
What’s the difference between a neonatal nurse and a paediatric nurse?
While both nursing roles are undertaken by registered nurses who care for young patients, there are some distinct differences between a neonatal nurse and paediatric nurse.
Neonatal nursing focuses on newborn babies from birth to 28 days of age. As previously discussed, nurses in this sector have expertise in caring for babies with critical health needs and typically work in NICU and related settings. Being a neonatal nurse requires the completion of postgraduate education and comprehensive knowledge of foetal development, neonatal health, pathophysiology and the challenges uniquely relevant to newborn babies.
Conversely, paediatric nursing encompasses a wider age range, usually following on from the neonatal stage of 28 days up to young adults aged 18. Paediatric nurses look after the needs of infants, children and teenagers, and as such, require different clinical and soft skills to effectively care for the varying needs of young patients and their families. They also need to possess a deep understanding of development, growth and emotional health across different life stages and health conditions that may impact each age and gender group.
Skills to thrive in a career as a neonatal nurse
To be successful as a neonatal nurse, there are some skills you should cultivate in your career, such as:
Empathy: Neonatal nurses need to develop emotional intelligence and practice empathy to support families during the vulnerable and sometimes stressful circumstance of caring for an unwell or critically ill newborn. Families may spend many hours or even months in NICU environments and may need additional emotional support during hospital visits.
Clinical precision: This specialisation demands a high level of technical accuracy and knowledge of complex health conditions and interventions. For example, a minor adjustment to a ventilator can have a significant impact on a newborn’s breathing and overall recovery. Being able to monitor subtle changes is also part of honing your clinical precision as a neonatal nurse.
Adaptability: The flexibility to manage rapidly changing situations and adapt to new processes or practices will help you to provide more effective patient-centred care in this role. Learning as you go, adopting new skills from advanced training or pursuing mentorship opportunities can help you grow professionally to enjoy longevity in this career.
Effective communication: There may be times when you need to share difficult news to family members, explain a complex procedure or communicate with multidisciplinary healthcare teams and colleagues. Developing your communication skills as a neonatal nurse is essential to ensure transparency and clarity in all aspects of your role, while optimising patient care.
Critical thinking: The capacity to think rationally, work methodically and in a timely manner can make all the difference in a newborn’s health trajectory. Refining your assessment and problem-solving skills can help you make more effective clinical decisions, especially in the high-pressure and demanding environment of NICU.
Resilience: These roles require a level of emotional strength to cope with the challenges of caring for vulnerable babies. Sometimes, despite your best efforts as a nurse, situations don’t always go to plan. Self-care, debriefing with colleagues and reviewing your clinical practices can help you cultivate resilience to keep going in the long term.
Patient advocacy: As a neonatal nurse, you’re providing care for the most fragile and developmentally vulnerable of patients. This may mean you need to be a voice for your patient when they cannot speak for themselves. Advocating for babies and their families is essential, especially if your clinical decisions may be life-saving.
How to advance your expertise to become a neonatal nurse
Obtain your nursing degree and registration
The first step toward becoming a neonatal nurse is to become qualified as a registered nurse. The typical study pathway towards nursing is a bachelor’s degree. This degree takes around three years to complete full-time and may be ideal if you have no prior degree or healthcare experience.
There are fast-track options available into nursing if you have a degree in another field, such as a graduate entry Master of Nursing program. These courses commonly take two years to complete full-time.
Next, you’ll need to obtain your nursing registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), which must be renewed annually. The NMBA also provides pathways for eligible nurses who’ve gained their qualifications overseas. If this applies to you, it’s advisable to confirm directly with the NMBA to see whether your qualifications align with Australian registration and practice standards.
Complete postgraduate neonatal care study
Then, you’ll need to complete postgraduate study in neonatal care to become a neonatal nurse. Many postgraduate courses require current employment and/or a minimum of one year of clinical experience in a neonatal nursing setting as an entry requirement.
As mentioned, there are many postgraduate course options available to advance your knowledge in the neonatal care field. You may wish to begin with a graduate certificate to build your expertise and progress onto further study toward a master’s qualification. The Australian College of Nursing, University of Tasmania and University of Melbourne provide high-quality postgraduate courses for nurses and midwives that can help launch your career as a neonatal nurse.
Broaden your neonatal care network
Following the completion of postgraduate study, you may find additional support from organisations such as the Australian College of Neonatal Nurses (ACNN). The ACNN is Australia's peak professional body for neonatal nurses. They provide resources, networking and professional development opportunities and guidance for nurses involved in neonatal care.
Apply for neonatal care jobs
You may already have secure employment in a neonatal care role as part of your postgraduate study requirements. However, now that you have additional skills, knowledge and expanded your professional network, there may be further opportunities available to progress your career. Explore roles on job platforms such as SEEK, Indeed and LinkedIn as a starting point. Reach out to colleagues, mentors and healthcare professionals in your network to see if there are new and exciting job prospects available.
Pursue a meaningful career in neonatal care
Neonatal nursing offers many rewards and an impactful career path. You’ll be responsible for providing essential and often life-saving care to babies and supporting the wellbeing of families as they navigate significant challenges. These roles can deliver a profound sense of meaning and career satisfaction, with opportunities to grow into other roles and fields.
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