What education do you need to be a neonatal nurse?
To be a neonatal nurse, a student must become a registered nurse (RN) or a nurse-practitioner (NP). A registered nurse is usually a graduate of a 4-year college or university, although some community colleges offer specialized programs designed to train registered nurses in 2 years. These programs are often run in conjunction with nearby hospitals to provide clinical experience for the students. Some hospitals offer 3-year programs to train and educate registered nurses. A nurse-practitioner needs a master's degree in addition to a 4-year degree.