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If you have a drive to help others, an interest in health care, and a way with babies and infants, you could be the ideal of a nursery nurse. Here's everything you need to know about working in this rewarding profession.
What is a Nursery Nurse?
A nursery nurse is usually a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) who provides medical care for newborns and infants. As the title suggests, nursery nurses usually work in hospital nurseries, but some work in outpatient care centers or private residences, providing in-home care for sick infants. Nursery nurses can also be categorized as neonatal (newborn) or pediatric nurses, depending on the age group they serve
What Do Nursery Nurses Do?
Nursery nurses perform many of the same duties as adult care RNs and LPNs, including:
Because they tend to newborns and infants, nursery nurses must often provide non-medical care, such as changing soiled diapers or soothing colicky babies. Other duties depend on the nursery level in which they work.
The Three Types of Hospital Nurseries
While all nursery nurses provide newborns, infants, and small children with medical care, some duties vary by setting. Here are descriptions of the three different levels of hospital nurseries, as defined by the Guidelines of Prenatal Care by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Some nursery nurses don't work in hospital nurseries at all, choosing instead to care for young children in outpatient care centers, private physicians' offices, or in private residences.
In What Type of Environment Do Nursery Nurses Work?
Like most RNs and LPNs, nursery nurses tend to work in hospitals providing round-the-clock care, so they may work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Those working in outpatient care centers may have more regular hours. In either case, many nurses must work long shifts, spending a great deal of time on their feet. The work can be stressful and emotionally taxing, particularly when caring for very sick newborns and infants. However, many nurses find caring for infants extremely gratifying.
Nursery Nurse Salary
Nursery nurses are usually RNs, so their earnings fall in line with their adult-care peers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for RNs in May, 2009, was $63,750, with the middle 50 percent earning between $52,520 and $77,970. LPNs, who receive less training, earned a median annual salary of $39,820 the same year, with the middle 50 percent earning between $33,920 and $47,220.
Nursery Nurse Career Outlook
The future is bright for nurses of all types. The BLS projects 22 percent growth in RN positions and 21 percent growth in LPN positions between 2008 and 2018.
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