Neonatal Registered Nurse Salaries
Neonatal nurses are registered nurses who specialize in the care of infants. The nurse might care for premature and ill infants in the neonatal intensive care unit of a hospital, or she might care for healthy babies. Salaries for neonatal nurses vary according to the education and work environment of the nurse. The average salary for registered nurses is from $46,621 to $66,782, as of November 2010, according to Payscale.
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Types
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Neonatal nurses work at different levels in the nursing profession. Level I neonatal nurses care for healthy babies. Level II nurses work with premature and ill babies, which requires a greater level of care and attention. Level III nurses work in the neonatal intensive care unit to care for premature and seriously ill babies in need of constant care and attention. The Level III neonatal nurse educates parents in the care of babies with serious conditions and health problems.
Education
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Neonatal nurses must be a minimum of a registered nurse to work in this specialty. Registered nurses must have a four-year degree. You must also pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses to be eligible for the license to practice in every state. Neonatal nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses with a master’s degree. The average salary for a neonatal nurse practitioner is from $63,967 to $97,587, as of November 2010, according to Payscale.
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Location
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The city and state where the neonatal nurse practitioner works can have an effect on the average salary. For example, neonatal nurse practitioners in Chicago earn salaries from $52,500 to $102,439, while those in Indianapolis earn salaries from $63,871 to $83,424, as of 2010, according to Payscale.
Experience
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According to Payscale, as of November 2010, neonatal nurse practitioners with 20 years or more of experience earn salaries from $86,766 to $116,971. Those with less than a year of experience in this specialty earn average salaries of $62,906 to $81,241.
Advancement
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Registered nurses working in a neonatal intensive care unit can work toward a master’s degree and advance to a neonatal nurse practitioner to increase salary. The nurse can also move into a supervisory role and direct the activities of workers and nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit. Advancing to a supervisory position can increase salary as well.
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References
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