Neonatal nursing is a fascinating and challenging field of nursing, involving many facets of care for babies and their families. Inherent in neonatal nursing are the skills and knowledge to support the neonate and family in times of illness and stress, and the ability to provide a caring, nurturing environment needed to promote health and ongoing future development. Intrinsic to neonatal nursing is a belief that the baby is an individual entitled to optimal care and the highest possible quality of life.

If you are interested in applying for neonatal nursing positions within NSW, a good starting point is the NSW Health website.

In NSW there are nine (9) NICU’s and a large number of Special Care Nurseries (SCN’s). Some SCN’s are attached to NICU, and others are part of the obstetric services in smaller hospitals. Second and third year undergraduate nursing students and midwifery students can access neonatal units for clinical placements. Direct entry midwives are also able to negotiate working in some of the SCU’s attached to a NICU. Clinical placements are offered to graduate nurses within neonatal units during their new graduate rotation.

In NSW there are a number of opportunities for educational support for neonatal nurses.

1. The College of Nursing runs both a Graduate Certificate in Neonatal Nursing and a Graduate Certificate in Special Care Nursing. These courses are offered to both NSW Health-funded students (subject to funding) and fee paying students, who need to be employed within a NICU or SCU to be eligible to apply

2. University of Technology UTS runs a 12 month Neonatal Nursing course every two years – usually on odd year (will run in 2011) – participants can exit with a Graduate Certificate in Neonatal Nursing at 12 months or two years to gain a Masters of Nursing.