Neonatal Nurse

Neonatal Nurses are specialist nurses who care for premature babies and infants with medical conditions in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), as well as healthy newborns in the first month of their life. They administer medications, undertake specialist feedings, advise parents, and carry out a range of diagnostic and screening tests.

As a Neonatal Nurse you could be checking the incubator and other NICU specialist equipment, feeding a premature baby with a tube, advising a new mother on the health status of her newborn baby, helping a new mother with feeding and changing, inserting an IV line for fluid intake, informing the doctor of a change to a baby’s core vitals, or updating patient records.

Neonatal nursing is a very joyful and rewarding occupation, but it can also be very stressful. Apart from meticulous technical nursing skills, to succeed you’ll need a natural affinity for infants and newborn babies and the ability to make clear decisions in an emergency.

Future demand High
Average yearly income $91,000
Skill level Advanced

How do I become a neonatal nurse?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced

Bachelor of Nursing (Honours)

Blended, On Campus
12 months
$0 - $6,129
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

Related occupations

Common questions

Further reading

What can you do with a Diploma of Nursing?

2nd February 2021)

How to start a career in Veterinary Nursing

7th September 2021)

Why is Nursing a Good Career Choice in Australia?

25th November 2022)