September 13-19 marks National Neonatal Nurses Week, and at Arizona College of Nursing, we are thrilled to take this time to honor our incredible nurses who provide expert care to the tiniest humans.
“Being a NICU nurse means carrying both knowledge and heart into every shift. You must recognize the tiniest physiological changes that signal something bigger, while never losing sight of the fact that this is someone’s baby and not just a diagnosis on a chart. It’s a role that demands precision, calm, and a deep respect for the trust families place in you when their world feels most fragile,” said Amber Kool, DNP, MBA, MSN, RN, Associate Vice President of Assessment and Development.
What Is Neonatal Nursing?
Neonatal nurses are specialists who care for infants, including those who are premature or born with critical health conditions. Working as a neonatal nurse can be incredibly rewarding, with unique challenges and learning opportunities, and requires resilience.
While you may just picture adorable babies – and yes, there are many, – neonatal nursing is a highly specialized field of healthcare that demands a blend of scientific knowledge, patience, and compassion.
What Makes Neonatal Nurses So Vital?
- Specialized Skills: Neonatal nurses must handle the most delicate patients. They manage complex medical equipment, from ventilators to help a baby breathe to tiny feeding tubes to provide vital nutrition. Every procedure or dosage must be calculated precisely for these little patients, requiring necessary attention to detail.
- Care for the Whole Family: Being a neonatal nurse requires a great deal of emotional strength. These nurses are not only in charge of their small patients, but for their entire family. Neonatal nurses are a constant source of comfort and education for families who are navigating a sometimes scary and uncertain time. They are often the ones who support new parents in techniques to hold, care for, and properly interact with their special newborns.
- Detail-Oriented: Neonatal nurses shine with their attention to detail. These nurses are trained to notice the most subtle changes in a newborn’s condition, including a shift in beathing patterns or a slight change in skin color. Their constant efforts and ability to speak up on behalf of their patients make them a top-tier advocate.
- Team Players: As essential members of a multidisciplinary team, neonatal nurses work very closely with a variety of other healthcare professionals to ensure the best outcomes for their patients. This can include respiratory therapists, neonatologists, physical and occupational therapists, lactation consultants, dieticians, pharmacists, social workers, and more.
- Lasting Connections: For neonatal nurses, one of the most rewarding aspects of the job comes from their lasting connections with their patients and families. It is not uncommon for former patients and their parents to return to the NICU years later to offer thanks to the nurses who helped care for them when they needed it most. These long-term relationships come from a place of care and dedication to their jobs and are a testament to their ability to be comforting during the most difficult times.
Ready to Learn More About Neonatal Nursing?
If the thought of combining your passion for science with a deep desire to care for the most vulnerable among us resonates with you, it may be of interest to further explore the world of neonatal nursing. Speak with nurses in the field, research organizations like the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) and consider opportunities in a NICU setting.
“In the NICU, nursing extends beyond caring for a medically fragile newborn. It means caring for a family that is often just as fragile, navigating fear, hope, and uncertainty. You become the one who holds a parent’s hand on the hardest days, decorates a bedspace to bring comfort, and celebrates the smallest milestones that mean everything. It’s a privilege to advocate, collaborate, and walk alongside families in moments that will shape their lives forever.”
At AZCN, we are here to support you throughout your learning journey with our Bachelor of Science in Nursing Prelicensure Program and help you explore all of the possibilities within the nursing profession.
Start Your Future in Nursing Today
If you’re considering a career as a registered nurse (RN), Arizona College of Nursing is here to help you pursue your dream. Our BSN program enables you to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in just 3 years or less with qualifying transfer credits. We’ve helped hundreds of students to earn a BSN degree and enter the nursing profession – and we’re ready to support you on your path to becoming an RN.
Why Choose Arizona College of Nursing?
- Earn a BSN degree in 3 years or less with eligible transfer credits
- Campus locations throughout the US
- Night classes for general education courses
- Hybrid Online/In-Person format for general education classes
- Nursing education is all we do
- CCNE-Accredited Program*
- NCLEX-RN success coaches and exam preparation class
- Financial aid available to those who qualify
Discover Your Path to a Career in Nursing
Information in this post is accurate as of .
*The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at Arizona College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.aacnnursing.org/). All Arizona College of Nursing and Arizona College campuses are institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (https://www.abhes.org/), a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency.