What is a NICU Nurse?
A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse provides care for newborn infants with complex medical needs. This includes babies born prematurely and those with birth defects, heart issues, infections, or birth complications who require close monitoring and/or surgery.
The neonatal period technically refers to the first month of life. However, neonatal nurses care not only for babies who experience complications immediately after birth but also those who continue to face health challenges related to prematurity or other early-life illnesses.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about NICU nursing, including what these nurses do, education and certification requirements, salary expectations, and what a typical shift looks like.
Explore NICU nursing opportunities with Gifted Healthcare today! Whether you’re a new neonatal nurse or an experienced clinician ready for a transition, we can help you find your next rewarding and impactful role.
What Does a NICU Nurse Do?
NICU RNs assess newborns and provide direct and individualized care. Their most common responsibilities include, but aren’t limited to:
- Administering medications and nutrients while carefully monitoring vital signs
- Providing respiratory support, diaper changes, and specialized feedings as needed
- Managing ventilators and CPAPs under provider protocols, not independently
- Offering comfort, reassurance, and attentive care to infants facing serious health challenges
- Educating and supporting parents and family members on infant care, medical procedures, and developmental needs
- Communicating and coordinating with physicians, specialists, and the NICU team to ensure comprehensive care
3 Top Skills of NICU Nurses
Thinking about joining the incredible world of Neonatal Intensive Care? It's a very special calling! Caring for our tiniest, most vulnerable patients requires a unique blend of clinical knowledge, emotional intelligence, and a collaborative spirit.
Our recruiters at Gifted have first-hand experience placing amazing NICU nurses, and we've seen that the very best consistently shine in three core areas:
1. Family-Centered Skills & Care
In addition to supporting newborns and babies, NICU nurses care for the whole family unit. In other words, when a baby is in the NICU, parents rely on these nurses for guidance, reassurance, and accurate breakdowns of complex medical information. If you can communicate clearly and are passionate about creating a warm, safe space for families, you would make an invaluable asset to the NICU!
2. Clinical Excellence & Precision
In the NICU, newborns’ conditions can change in an instant, so these nurses need a combination of impeccable assessment skills and technical competence to thrive in this environment.
These skills include expertly managing complex medical equipment, such as ventilators and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, accurately performing tasks like central line dressing changes, and making critical adjustments based on subtle changes in vital signs or feeding tolerance.
3. Collaboration & Growth Mindset
To deliver the highest level of care as a NICU nurse, you need to collaborate with a diverse group of specialists (think neonatologists, respiratory therapists, lactation consultants, and more) on a daily basis.
Strong NICU nurses are also adaptable and open to new approaches, committed to lifelong learning, continuously expanding their specialized knowledge, and great at integrating feedback to improve patient outcomes.
Before applying for NICU nursing roles, make sure your resume is up to date, highlight your relevant experience and specialized skills, and connect with your Gifted recruiter for guidance on tailoring applications and interview prep. Apply now to connect with a recruiter and explore open roles!
How to Become a NICU Nurse
If you're thinking about transitioning into a neonatal nursing role, the first step is earning your nursing degree. You have two options: an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which typically takes about two years, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which is usually a four-year program.
Once you’ve successfully completed the program of your choice, you’ll focus on preparing for the NCLEX-RN exam. Most new graduates spend anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months studying. After you pass, you’ll officially receive your RN license!
How Long Does It Take to Become a NICU Nurse?
Becoming a NICU nurse typically takes 5+ years, which includes completing nursing school, passing the NCLEX, obtaining the required certifications, and gaining the specific clinical experience hospitals look for.
Keep in mind that new graduates usually can't start directly in a NICU role (especially Level III/IV). Hospitals typically prefer nurses to have 1 to 2 years of acute care experience under their belts first. The most valuable experience often comes from working on a med-surg floor, or ideally, in a pediatric unit, as these roles help sharpen your skills in NICU care.
What Certifications Do NICU Nurses Need?
There are also a few essential certifications that will help make you a stronger candidate for NICU positions, including:
- BLS (Basic Life Support) certification: Required for all RNs.
- NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) certification: Almost always required for any NICU role.
- Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-NIC) certification: This credential shows your expertise and dedication to the field.
- PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) certification: PALS is generally not required for NICU nurses, since NICU patients are neonates not pediatric patients. However, it may be a requirement in mixed units.
Not sure where to start? Our recruiters at Gifted can help you determine which certifications are best for your goals and any additional credentials that could help you stand out!
Where Can NICU Nurses Work?
The vast majority of NICU nurses work in hospitals. However, their specific duties depend entirely on the unit's level of care. For example:
- Level I NICUs: Also called a Well-Baby Nursery, level I NICUs care for healthy full-term or late preterm babies (35+ weeks) who need basic support, like help feeding, routine monitoring, or treatment for common issues such as jaundice or low blood sugar.
- Level III or IV NICUs (Critical Care): These are typically found in larger medical centers and specialized children's hospitals. NICU nurses in these units care for the most fragile, critically ill, and premature infants (often those born before 32 weeks' gestation).
- Level II NICUs (Special Care Nurseries): These are often located in smaller community hospitals. In these units, NICU nurses focus on helping infants master essential skills like feeding, managing basic support (such as IV fluids), and preparing families for their transition home.
- Other: Neonatal nurses can also work on Neonatal Transport Teams, in Outpatient/Specialty Follow-Up Clinics, and in Home Health Services.
How Much Do NICU Nurses Make?
Based on averages from nursing jobs listed on Gifted Healthcare, many NICU travel nurses make more than $2,200 per week (with some paying over $3,000), while local NICU nurses make more than $2,000 per week. However, the exact amount you can make as a NICU nurse depends on the facility, its location, your years of experience, and whether you’re hired as a staff or travel nurse.
Travel nurses typically make more per hour, in addition to tax-free stipends and other benefits. That said, both career paths can be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling.
Curious how NICU nursing pay compares from facility to facility? Check out current opportunities available through Gifted Healthcare and see what’s available near you, and across the country!
Frequently Asked Questions About NICU Nursing
What types of patients are in the NICU unit?
The NICU unit is specifically dedicated to caring for newborns who need intensive medical attention. You'll primarily care for premature infants (preemies, especially those born under 32 weeks) who require support with breathing, feeding, and temperature regulation.
Other patients include critically ill, full-term babies with complications like respiratory distress, severe infections (sepsis), or birth defects (e.g., congenital heart disease). The NICU also manages infants who are undergoing complex surgeries and those experiencing withdrawal (Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome).
What schooling is required for NICU nurses?
To be a competitive candidate for a NICU nursing role, particularly in a high-level unit, the recommended path is earning your BSN, passing the NCLEX-RN for licensure, and then immediately working to gain acute care experience in med-surg or pediatric nursing (as we discussed previously) before applying to the NICU.
How do I become a traveling NICU nurse?
To become a travel nurse, most facilities and agencies require at least 1-2 years of experience in the specialty before transitioning to a travel role. Gifted Healthcare typically only requires 1 year of experience to begin travel nursing.
Learn more about travel nursing and the requirements here.
Find Your Next NICU Nursing Position with Gifted Healthcare!
Gifted Healthcare provides healthcare professionals with exceptional, high-paying career opportunities, including neonatal (NICU) nursing.
We’ve earned recognition as a Best Travel Nurse Agency by The Gypsy Nurse, the world’s largest online community for travel nurses, and as a Top 20 Travel Nursing Company by BluePipes, the leading professional networking platform in healthcare.
Connect with a recruiter to join the Gifted Family today! Apply here.
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