Fun Facts About Neonatal Nurse Practitioners

The term "neonatal nurse" refers to a nurse with the specialized training to care for babies in the first 28 days of their lives. It is a relatively new area of nursing, but one that is associated with positive outcomes for many babies.

Infant Outcomes

• According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, a 1994 study revealed that infants cared for by neonatal nurse practitioners stayed in the hospital an average of 2.4 fewer days and incurred $3,400 less in costs than those cared for by medical residents. This was true even though the babies under the care of the neonatal nurse practitioners were generally younger with lower birth weights.

Medical Residents vs. Neonatal Nurse Practitioners

• Neonatal nurse practitioners don't rotate out of the neonatal care unit, unlike medical residents. That means they are consistent caregivers to infants in their charge; they will help care for the baby as long as she is in the unit. Researchers believe that, among other advantages, this leads to these nurses needing less supportive services--such as updates from other hospital staff on the patients.

Neonatal Unit Levels

• Neonatal nurse practitioners work in one of three neonatal units, which are organized by level. Level I is for healthy newborns. Level II units are designed for babies needing supportive care like supplemental oxygen, specialized feedings, time to mature and/or intravenous therapy. Level III, or the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, provides care for the sickest infants, including ventilation, incubation, the use of specialized equipment and/or post-surgical care.