Can you be a Neonatal Nurse with an Associate’s Degree?
If you are interested in becoming a Neonatal Nurse with an associate degree, let me tell you that it is possible but under certain criteria. If one of your passions is working with newborns, you can become a Neonatal Nurse with an Associate’s Degree in nursing.
What does it mean to have an associate degree in nursing?
This associate degree in nursing, known by its acronym ADN, is usually a program that is intended to develop and academically prepare individuals who wish to study nursing. The program lasts for two years.
The first thing you should do
In order to consolidate yourself as a neonatal nurse, it is important to first understand the responsibility involved in practicing this profession, that is, you must be aware that you are studying with the firm purpose of providing the proper care to newborn babies.
Once you are sure of the step you are going to take, the next step is to find out which schools are apt or accredited to do so.
It is important to know that the Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections (Bureau of Labor Statistics) gives a student the opportunity to become a Neonatal Nurse by earning an associate’s degree in nursing.
One of the things to be aware of is that you should be aware that the programs of study and the college or university you attend are accredited.
Accredited colleges or universities are endorsed or accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)/American Association of Colleges of Nursing or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)/Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
A Nursing Exam to Advance
In order for you to become a neonatal nurse with an associate’s degree in nursing, it is not advisable to stick with just a degree earned. The most convenient and recommended thing to do in this case, if you need to advance, is to take and pass a nursing exam.
The purpose of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is to determine if you are fully qualified to begin practicing as an entry-level nurse.
It is important to note that this is not a common or traditional test, since this test will evaluate the application and analysis through the acquired knowledge of nursing, that is, it seeks to evaluate the skills in nursing diagnoses but based on critical thinking.
Best programs to become a Neonatal Nurse
The following are the best programs in the United States:
- Weber State University.
- College of Anza.
- College of San Mateo.
- Santa Rosa College.
- College of the Canyons.
Reasons why you should have an Associate’s Degree in Nursing
When a person obtains an associate’s degree in nursing, it is much easier to get further education and become a registered nurse (RN), it will only take two years to take the NCLEX-RN exam.
After taking the exam and attesting that a nurse is competent to perform her job, she can continue to specialize.
And not only will she be able to obtain academic benefits by obtaining the required degree, but also from the labor point of view she can advance in such a way as to improve her monetary benefits and job stability. Taking into account that experience is fundamental.
Time required to earn an associate’s degree in nursing
In order to obtain an associate’s degree in nursing, it will necessarily take about two years.
For those licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or even licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) who have vast experience, they can utilize it in such a way that they require a little less time to get the degree.
Having an associate’s degree in nursing. How much does one earn?
Any study that leads to career advancement is an increase in the amount of your salary. In the case of people who work in the health sector, i.e. nurses, licensed nursing assistants and even those nursing technicians by studying can significantly increase their monthly income.
There are statistics provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) which refer to the average salary of licensed vocational nurses in relation to that of registered nurses, the latter being much higher than that of LPNs and LVNs.
It is noted, of course, that as one becomes more certified and educated, salaries tend to become increasingly onerous.
