Careers: Nursing/Neonatal nurse

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Expert: Alex Woodruff RN, BSc - 11/1/2009


Question
Can I become a neonatal nurse with only an associates degree and getting into a nursing program?

Answer
Hello Hannah,
Thank you for directing this question to me.

As long as you have passed your state board exams and have a current RN license you can work in any speciality. Some employers will find a BSN more appealing, but it is the license that allows you to be a neonatal RN and not the type of degree.

If you want to become a senior nurse or a nurse practitioner then you will need to look at a higher degree at some point, but that does not preclude you from entering your career in neonatal nursing.

I hope I have helped to answer your question, please feel free to contact me again if you need anymore information.  

Careers: Nursing

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Alex Woodruff RN, BSc

Expertise

My expertise is in Pediatric Critical Care - both PICU and Congenital Cardiac ICU. I provide care for the most critically ill children and I am a strong believer in family centered care. I have worked in this field for 13 years in the UK and the USA. Prior to ICU work I staffed in pediatric orthopedics, spinal surgery and general surgery. I am happy to answer questions pertaining to any area of pediatric nursing. I will also answer questions about nursing in the USA (as a foreign nurse) and will happily give readers the perspective of a male nurse in a predominantly female workplace.

Experience

I have worked in pediatrics for the last 15 years. I have a strong intensive care background and a large amount of experience as a member of a Pediatric Retrieval (Transport) Team, an in-house rapid response team, a Clinical Lead/Charge Nurse and a pediatric CVVH practitioner. I value mentoring and preceptorship and am active in this area. I can offer the viewpoint of a nurse who has travelled internationally with my career.

Organizations
Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses

Education/Credentials
BSc Paediatric Intensive Care Nursing (London South Bank University), Dip HE Paediatric Nursing (London South Bank University), ENB 415 - Paediatric Critical Care, Renal Replacement Therapy Course (London South Bank), Paediatric Emergency Transport (London South Bank). Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) - American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) - American Heart Association

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