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Is there a major difference between a NICU nurse and a neonatal nurse?( I know they both work with newborns)
#nursing #career #babies
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Kerrie’s Answer
A neonatal nurse is a Registered Nurse (RN) that works in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and assesses, monitors, and cares for medically fragile newborns. In addition to caring for premature newborns, NICU nurses may care for medically complex infants up to one year of age in some facilities.
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Rosalyn’s Answer
Hello! I was a pharmacist for many years at a children's hospital. The NICU is the neonatal intensive care unit. Nurses there take care of very sick newborns and premature babies. These babies require highly specialized care.
As far as I know, a neonatal nurse would be a nurse who takes care of healthy newborns in the nursery of a maternity ward.
As far as I know, a neonatal nurse would be a nurse who takes care of healthy newborns in the nursery of a maternity ward.
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Cameren’s Answer
So the biggest difference between a neonatal nurse and a NICU nurse is that a neonatal nurse is involved in caring for a baby from birth until around a month old that are in hospitals and the babies are usually healthy but occasionally can be sick. A NICU nurse only cares for the babies who are in the intensive care unit due to prematurity, delayed development, and other complications.
Okay, thank you.
Zemira
Updated
janet’s Answer
Both the NICU and neonatal nurses work with infants but the difference is the degree of care that is required for the infant. The neonatal nurse works with a newborn who is healthy with no difficulty in breathing, temperature regulation, or oxygen saturation. This nurse is able to work with newborns and assist mothers to bond with the infant, help instruct in breastfeeding, and how to care for the infant. They may also assist with circumcision of newborn males prior to discharge of the infant home. The NICU nurse works with infants that are having health problems that may consist of multiple conditions including but not limited to addiction issues, prematurity, infants who are unable to regulate temperature, oxygen saturation, heart rate, and eating/feeding needs. These infants typically have multiple central and/ or peripheral intravenous lines and may also have a feeding tube, special needs for eating due to respiratory issues, require a special bed for warmth or to decrease bilirubin, intubation with an endotracheal tube and mechanical ventilation, along with multiple medications. The NICU nurse works closely with the neonatologist and the NICU team so the infant will be able to develop and grow. This may take from days to months depending on the progression of the infant. Some infants remain in the NICU until they reach a certain weight and are able to eat. The NICU nurse assists in education of the parents and assists the parents in learning to care for their infant as some may require special needs.