How long does it take to become a neonatal nurse?

It takes about four years to become a neonatal nurse, including time to earn a nursing degree and relevant nursing experience. While it's technically possible to enter the specialty with an ADN and no experience in about two years, most employers prefer a BSN and prior nursing experience.

Is being a neonatal nurse hard?

It can be! This career can be full of high highs and low lows, bearing witness to miraculous recoveries and heartbreaking catastrophes. Despite the challenges, many nurses find this career to be deeply fulfilling and rewarding.

What is the top pay for neonatal nurses?

The top paid neonatal nurses are neonatal nurse practitioners, with an average annual salary of $120,062. Experienced NNPs can make upwards of $140,000 per year, with the top reported salary hitting $147,000 as of May 2025, according to Payscale.

What is the fastest way to become a neonatal nurse?

The fastest way to become a neonatal nurse is to earn a two-year ADN degree. Since many employers want BSN-trained nurses, it's advantageous to complete an RN-to-BSN or even an RN-to-MSN program.

Steps To Becoming A Neonatal Nurse

Key Takeaways

Become a neonatal nurse by earning an ADN or BSN degree and passing the NCLEX-RN exam.
Gain neonatal experience and consider certifications like CCRN or RN-NIC to advance.
The job outlook for neonatal nursing is strong, with varied work settings and median salaries around $96,400 annually.

Are you a registered nurse (RN) interested in caring for newborns? Neonatal nurses work in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and hospital nurseries, providing specialized care for newborns and their families. Read on to explore the steps to becoming a neonatal nurse, including education, licensure, and certification options.

How Long to Become

4-6 Years

Degree Required

ADN or BSN

Certification

CCRN and RN-NIC

What Is a Neonatal Nurse?

A neonatal nurse is an RN specializing in infant care – from healthy babies to those with complex conditions, such as premature birth complications and congenital heart defects. Duties include monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and managing feedings.

Neonatal nurses receive specialized training and certification. They work in units divided into four levels, including the NICU, maternity unit, and nursery.

Steps to Becoming a Neonatal Nurse

Aspiring neonatal nurses must earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a , although additional education and certification are optional. Prospective NICU nurses must hold a valid RN license and fulfill all licensing requirements for the state where they intend to practice.

Most employers require certifications, including:

Neonatal Nurse Education

You'll need at least an ADN to work as a neonatal nurse, although some positions require a BSN or higher. An ADN is the quickest route, taking two years to complete, but many employers prefer nurses with a BSN.

ADN Degree

An ADN is the minimum nursing degree needed to become a RN and neonatal nurse. This degree provides students with practical experience and offers a quicker entry into the field. Employers prefer BSN-prepared nurses and many facilities are making it the entry-level degree.

Admission Requirements: High school diploma or GED certificate, official transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, letters of recommendation, minimum 2.0 or 2.5 GPA, prerequisite courses, and a personal essay
Program Curriculum: Anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, nursing concepts, psychology, and sociology
Time to Complete: Two years
Skills Learned: Patient assessment, medication administration, communication, patient education, collaboration, and cultural competence

BSN Degree

Students interested in career advancement can pursue a BSN. These programs provide a comprehensive education and a deeper understanding of nursing theory, research, and practice than ADN programs. The develop critical thinking skills, provide broader career opportunities, and enable nurses to earn graduate degrees.

Admission Requirements: High school diploma, minimum 2.5 or 3.0 GPA, recommendation letters, essay, background check, and prerequisite courses, including microbiology, anatomy and physiology, and chemistry
Program Curriculum: Leadership, pathophysiology, research, statistics, advanced health assessment, and nursing concepts in pediatrics, adults, and geriatrics
Time to Complete: Four years
Skills Learned: Critical thinking, leadership, health promotion, community health, ethics, and evidence-based practice

MSN Degree

Nurses who want to increase their salary potential and work as advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) can pursue a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree. An MSN is the minimum degree needed to become an APRN. Earning an MSN is not necessary to become a neonatal nurse, but it enables nurses to practice as neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs). Most NNP programs require 2-3 years of NICU RN experience.

Admission Requirements: ADN or BSN degree, RN license, minimum 3.0 GPA, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and professional experience
Program Curriculum: Biostatistics for evidence-based practice, advanced anatomy and physiology, clinical reasoning, advanced health assessment, pharmacology, healthcare policy, and clinical management
Time to Complete: 1-2 years
Skills Learned: Critical thinking, advanced clinical assessment skills, communication, collaboration, and patient advocacy

Neonatal Nurse Licensure and Certification

All neonatal nurses must have an active RN license and can renew their RN licenses by completing and practice hours as specified by state nursing boards. Certification is optional but valuable for career development and ongoing education. However, some employers do require extra certifications to work in higher acuity settings, like NICUs and emergency rooms.

For certification through the National Certification Corporation, you'll need at least 24 months of specialty experience as a U.S. or Canadian RN, comprising a minimum of 2,000 hours. APRNs can earn the advanced practice board certification for clinical nurse specialists (ACCNS-N) through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. Eligibility includes an active, unrestricted RN or APRN license; graduate degree from an accredited program; and completion of 500 supervised clinical hours in neonatal nursing.

Neonatal Nurse Salary and Career Outlook

Neonatal nurses can anticipate strong job prospects due to high nursing demand and expanding neonatal care, due to renewed focus on preventative newborn care and growth of NICUs nationwide. Neonatal nurses work in NICUs, labor and delivery, outpatient clinics, and home health care. Each setting involves distinct responsibilities; for example labor and delivery focuses on supporting newborns at birth, whereas home health care focuses on growth and development.

According to Payscale, as of 2025, neonatal nurses earned an average salary of $79,250. Neonatal nurse salaries can vary based on education and experience, certifications, employer, and location. For example, NICU nurses average $85,000 annually, while a neonatal nurse practitioner makes an average of $120,170 per year.