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Best Nursing Programs in Washington State for 2023

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Washington

More than 59,000 registered nurses reside in Washington State, which makes it one of the most highly concentrated areas for registered nurses in the country. Additionally, Washington state is one of the more lucrative places to work as well as a nurse. 

Whether you are new to the field of nursing or are trying to advance your career, getting a quality education is critical. There are many degree types available for nurses who choose to attend college. 

The main degree types are:

The good news is that Washington has many great nursing programs to choose from. In this guide, we’ve ranked some of the best nursing schools to attend. 

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In total, this article will provide an overview of:

To capture the best schools in each state, we applied a rigorous formula, isolating five variables that were weighted equally: 

  • Graduation rate
  • NCLEX pass rate
  • CCNE accreditation
  • Programs offered
  • Tuition costs (based on in-state tuition, attending the maximum number of credits; mandatory fees not included)

Washington state’s top nursing program:

  1. University of Washington
  2. Gonzaga University
  3. Pacific Lutheran University
  4. Walla Walla University
  5. Seattle Pacific University

Below is a list of the top nursing schools in Washington. This list isn’t exhaustive, but we felt that it highlights the programs worth mentioning. 

1. University of Washington 

NCLEX pass rate: 94.35% 

Tuition per year: $12,076

The University of Washington, located in Seattle, Washington, is home to over 46,000 students making it one of the larger schools on our list. 

Its nursing program offers a:

  • BSN 
  • ABSN
  • MSN
  • DNP 

The school is known specifically for its graduate programs and research offerings. Additionally, the University of Washington has relatively cheap tuition in comparison to the other schools on our list. 

2. Gonzaga University 

NCLEX pass rate: 98.70%

Tuition per year: $47,560

Gonzaga University is a private, Catholic university in Spokane, Washington. One of the unique aspects of the program is that it offers an online component for some of the advanced degrees. 

The school offers the following nursing programs: 

  • BSN 
  • Online RN to MSN
  • Online MSN
  • Online DNP post baccalaureate
  • Online DNP post masters

3. Pacific Lutheran University 

NCLEX pass rate: 89.16%

Tuition per year: $49,472

Pacific Lutheran University is a private, Lutheran university in Tacoma, Washington. Home to over 3,100 students, the school gives students a small campus feels and allows for small class sizes. 

The school provides its students with the following options for degree programs:

  • BSN
  • BSN to MSN
  • MSN
  • DNP

Students have a great opportunity to complete clinical work in the surrounding Tacoma community as well. 

4. Walla Walla University 

NCLEX pass rate: 91.18%

Tuition per year: $29,487 (three quarters)

Walla Walla University is a Christian, liberal arts college in College Place, Washington. Home to about 1,900 students, the school provides small class sizes, which some students prefer. Also, the school gives students an opportunity to study abroad as nurses. 

The school offers nursing students the following degree options: 

  • LPN to BSN
  • BSN
  • RN to BSN

5. Seattle Pacific University

NCLEX pass rate: 92.31%

Tuition per year: $35,100

Seattle Pacific University is a private, Christian university in Seattle, Washington.  Given its location in Seattle, the school gives students a great opportunity to practice clinicals with a large, diverse population. Another interesting thing about the school is the clinical learning lab, where students can get hands-on experience in a controlled environment. 

The school offers the following degree programs:

  • BSN
  • DNP

How to choose a nursing program

Choosing the right nursing program may feel stressful. The good news is that we’ve provided several factors for you to consider to help make your decision easier. Some of the factors you should consider when choosing a school are location, tuition, NCLEX scores, and programs offered. 

Location

This is a major factor for a lot of nursing students when choosing a program to attend. Most nursing programs don’t have online components, so you must select a program to which you can easily commute. The worst thing would be to choose a program that becomes a burden to you simply because it’s too far from your house. Below is a map that shows where each school is located.

Tuition 

Let’s face it: paying for school can be a huge barrier for students. Also, many nurses end up absorbing a massive amount of student debt from their years of college. Additionally, some nurses transition into the field after spending years in another specialty or having another degree from which they’ve already accumulated student debt. 

Finding a school that’s both affordable and reputable can seem challenging. Fortunately, you don’t have to jeopardize quality over price. Several of the schools we analyzed were both affordable and highly respected. 

NCLEX scores

One of the most critical measures of a nursing program’s credibility is its NCLEX pass rates. The NCLEX test is an examination that measures a potential registered nurse’s aptitude. A good NCLEX pass rate for a school is anything in the 90th percentile and above. 

Programs offered

The programs offered at the particular school you want to go to is important. You need to make sure that the school you are applying to has the program that you need. There are many different nursing programs offered at various schools. The principal baseline program offered at most universities is the BSN program. However, every person has different needs, and choosing the right program depends on the career track you are interested in. 

Graduation Rate 

The last factor that you should consider when choosing a nursing program is the graduation rate. A higher graduation rate indicates that the school graduates first-year students within 4-6 years at a greater rate than other schools. Knowing that your school has a proven track record of graduating students on time is crucial. 

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Ranking methodology

We retrieved our data from the following locations: 

To calculate the scores for the respective schools, we took the lowest-scoring school from each individual metric, assigned it a 1 and gave the highest score a 10. We then were able to create brackets within that range to place each college in. 

After coming up with a score for each school out of ten for their respective metric, we added them up and multiplied them by two to come up with a score out of 100. 

Demetrius was an Incredible Health contributor. He has worked as a freelance writer and content strategist. His work has appeared in outlets such as Java Magazine, Phoenix Magazine, and Nurse.org.

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Best Nursing Programs in Illinois for 2023

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Illinois

Illinois is often referred to as the “Land of Lincoln,” as a nod to the late President and former Illinois resident Abraham Lincoln, a pillar of democracy and freedom. Nurses played a significant role in the Civil War, fought during Lincoln’s time in office. 

The nursing field has always had an undercurrent of democracy that informs its policies. Nurses provide care to all types of people regardless of their background. 

Fundamental to a nurse having success in their role involves having a degree. Nurses are skilled practitioners and going to college to advance their careers helps them successfully move forward. 

Some of the more common degree types are: 

However, accelerated degree programs and bridge programs are offered to nursing students that can significantly reduce the amount of time spent in school.

Choosing a nursing program may feel stressful and confusing. To help, we’ve created a list of the best nursing programs in the state of Illinois. 

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Illinois’s top nursing programs:

  1. Saint Anthony College of Nursing
  2. Loyola University Chicago
  3. Rush University
  4. Rush University
  5. Elmhurst University

1. Saint Anthony College of Nursing – Score 94

NCLEX pass rate: 92%

Saint Anthony College of Nursing is located in Rockford, Illinois, and has just over 200 undergraduate students on campus per year. Due to its small student population, the school provides students with an intimate learning environment. Their nursing program is one of the most prominent schools in the nation. Over the last four years, the school’s graduates have had a 96% pass rate 

Nursing programs offered:

  • BSN
  • RN to BSN
  • MSN
  • DNP

2. Loyola University Chicago – Score 83

NCLEX pass rate: 91%

Loyola University Chicago is home to over 22,000 students, making it a medium-sized institution. The school has a 14:1 faculty to student ratio. Additionally, 98% of students who graduate are employed or in graduate school. Additionally, the school offers nursing students a lot of options when it comes to completing a BSN. Specifically, the school offers students a traditional BSN, RN to BSN, accelerated BSN programs, and hybrid programs. 

Nursing programs offered: 

  • BSN
  • RN to BSN
  • MSN
  • DNP

3. Rush University – Score 79.5

NCLEX pass rate: 96%

Rush University, located in Chicago, is home to over 2,000 students. This makes it a relatively small student body. Rush University Medical Center received approximately $94 million in 2019 in research awards. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Rush University undergraduate students earn more money after graduation than other undergraduates nationwide with an average income of $74,000. 

The school offers the following nursing programs to students: 

  • MSN
  • DNP
  • PhD

4. Lewis University – Score 79.5

NCLEX pass rate: 94%

Lewis University is a Catholic university located in Romeoville, IL, and is home to over 6,200 students. The school has a 13:1 faculty to student ratio. The school’s nursing program has been running for over 40 years. The school regularly has one of the highest NCLEX pass rates in the nation. 

The school offers the following nursing programs to students: 

  • BSN
  • BAC to BSN
  • MSN
  • DNP

5. Elmhurst University – Score 76

NCLEX pass rate: 90%

Elmhurst University is a Christian university located in Elmhurst, Illinois, and is home to approximately 2,400 students. The school offers a 13:1 faculty to student ratio and average 18 students per class. This makes for a unique learning experience where students can learn in a tight-knit community and receive individualized instruction. More than 93% of students who graduate from an undergraduate program are employed within a year of graduating. 

Top nursing jobs in Illinois on Incredible Health

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How to choose the right nursing program

Choosing the right nursing program may feel stressful. The good news is that we’ve provided several factors for you to consider to help make your decision easier. When choosing a school, some of the factors you should consider are location, tuition, NCLEX scores, and programs offered. 

Location

This is a major factor for a lot of nursing students when choosing a program to attend. Most nursing programs don’t have online components, so you must select a program that you can easily commute to. The worst thing would be to choose a program that becomes a burden to you simply because it’s too far from your house. Below is a map that shows where each school is located.

Tuition 

Let’s face it: paying for school can be a huge barrier for students. Also, many nurses end up absorbing a massive amount of student debt from their years of college. Additionally, some nurses transition into the field after spending years in another specialty or having another degree from which they’ve already accumulated student debt.

Finding a school that’s both affordable and reputable can seem challenging. Fortunately, you don’t have to jeopardize quality over price. Several of the schools we analyzed were both affordable and highly respected. 

NCLEX scores

One of the most critical measures of a nursing program’s credibility is its NCLEX pass rates. The NCLEX test is an examination that measures a potential registered nurse’s aptitude. A good NCLEX pass rate for a school is anything in the 90th percentile and above. 

Programs offered

The programs offered at the particular school you want to go to is critically important. You need to make sure that the school you are applying to has the program that you need. There are many different nursing programs offered at various schools. The principal baseline program offered at most universities is the BSN program. However, every person has different needs, and choosing the right program depends on the career track you are interested in. 

Graduation Rate 

The last factor that you should consider when choosing a nursing program is the graduation rate. A higher graduation rate indicates that the school graduates first-year students within 4-6 years at a greater rate than other schools. Knowing that your school has a proven track record of graduating students on time is crucial. 

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Ranking methodology

To capture the best schools in each state, we applied a rigorous formula, isolating five variables that were weighted equally: 

We retrieved our data from the following locations: 

To calculate the scores for the respective schools, we took the lowest-scoring school from each individual metric, assigned it a 1 and gave the highest score a 10. We then were able to create brackets within that range to place each college in. 

After coming up with a score for each school out of ten for their respective metric, we added them up and multiplied them by two to come up with a score out of 100. 

Demetrius was an Incredible Health contributor. He has worked as a freelance writer and content strategist. His work has appeared in outlets such as Java Magazine, Phoenix Magazine, and Nurse.org.

Read more from Demetrius

6 Ways for Hospitals to Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Every October National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is celebrated throughout the country. The month is a great way to recognize employed individuals who have disabilities. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021, 19.1% of persons with a disability were employed, up from 17.9% in 2020. Some of the increase can be traced back to COVID-19. 

There are many nurses with disabilities who are doing great work in the field. In this post, we will highlight the following:

  • The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month
  • How hospitals and nurses can celebrate NDEAM in the workplace

The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month 

In 1945, the U.S. Congress introduced a law declaring the first week of October each year as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1962, Congress dropped the term “physically” to account for individuals with all kinds of disabilities, not just physical. 

In 1988, Congress included the whole month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month. 

How hospitals and nurses can celebrate NDEAM

Hospitals and nurses can celebrate the month in many different ways. Some of the main ways suggested by the U.S. Department of Labor include: creating a display, training administration, creating an employee resource group, educating employees, featuring NDEAM in social media posts, and participating in disability mentoring day. 

Creating a display

One of the ways that a hospital can show support for National Disability Employment Awareness Month includes posting a display in break rooms or other areas frequented by nurses. These displays can consist of encouraging messages regarding the hospital’s commitment to a disability-inclusive workplace. Hospitals can put up this year’s NDEAM poster, which is available in English and Spanish. 

Training administration 

Administration plays a considerable role in developing an inclusive workplace for all employees. During NDEAM, try training the administrative team to make sure they comprehend how they can create a comprehensive workplace. 

Create an employee resource group

With employee resource groups, employees have an opportunity to receive support from others who have similar backgrounds or interests. At a hospital, there can be an employee resource group, particularly for people with disabilities. It’s an excellent way for employees to bond and share resources. 

Educate employees

As part of NDEAM, it’s essential to educate employees by offering disability training. There are many local disability organizations available to provide workplace training programs. 

Promote National Disability Employment Awareness Month in social media posts

A great way to spread awareness about NDEAM is to post about it across social media platforms. Hospitals that choose to post should use the hashtag #NDEAM. 

Participate in disability mentoring day

One of the more exciting ways that hospitals can celebrate NDEAM includes participating in disability mentoring day. Disability mentoring day allows for youth with disabilities to job shadow and participate in ongoing mentoring. Nationwide this month is celebrated on the third Wednesday of each October. The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) offers information to help implement a Disability Mentoring Day event.

Final Thoughts on National Disability Employment Awareness Month

NDEAM provides an excellent opportunity for nurses and hospitals to celebrate and promote people with disabilities in the workplace.

The nursing field has done a great job of actively recruiting people of all different backgrounds, but continued work needs to be done in employing people with disabilities. 

People with disabilities round out an organization and may help patients with disabilities feel more comfortable, as representation is essential. 

Demetrius was an Incredible Health contributor. He has worked as a freelance writer and content strategist. His work has appeared in outlets such as Java Magazine, Phoenix Magazine, and Nurse.org.

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National Hispanic Heritage Month: Perspectives on Nursing

Every year, between Sep. 15 and Oct. 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated within the United States. September 15, marks the national independence day for Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. According to a 2020 analysis by the National Library of Medicine, of the 3 million registered nurses, only 5.4% were Hispanic. 

According to U.S. Census data, 18.9% of Americans identify as Hispanic or Latinx*, which means there is a significant shortage of nurses represented in the healthcare community. Despite the shortage, there are several Hispanic nurses within the field who have made, and continue to make, a significant difference. 

This article will explore the following: 

*While Hispanic and Latinx are not the same thing, for this article we are using the name of the month as our guide.

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Early influential nurses 

Several Hispanic nurses have made an impact on the field throughout the years. This list is a collection of just a few of the more prominent early influential nurses to emerge within the field. 

Ildaura Murillo-Rohde, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN 

Dr. Ildaura Murillo-Rohde was born in Panama and reached one of the pinnacles of nursing by receiving a Fellowship from the American Academy of Nursing. Another outstanding achievement includes becoming the Dean of Nursing at SUNY Brooklyn, New York. She also helped establish the National Association of Hispanic Nurses in 1975 to provide opportunities and connections for the Hispanic nursing community. 

Henrieta Villaescusa, MPH, RN

Born in Tucson, Arizona, Ms. Villaescusa was a certified nursing champion for women. She also focused on helping Hispanice nurses achieve success in the workplace. After graduating from college in San Diego, she became the first Hispanic Public Health Supervisor while working for the L.A. Public Health Department. She was also selected as Health Administrator for the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Ms. Villaescusa was the first Mexican-American chief nurse consultant in the Office of Maternal & Child Health, Bureau of Community Health Services. 

Hector Hugo Gonzalez, Ph.D., VR-RN

Mr. Gonzalez was a pioneering nurse who helped pave the way for many other nurses after him. His significant accomplishments include being the first Mexican-American registered nurse in the United States to have a doctorate. He also helped found the National Association of Hispanic Nurses with Ildaura Murillo-Rhode. Additionally, he led the Department of Nursing Education at San Antonio College. 

Influential nurses of the 21st century

Two very influential nurses who are currently changing the healthcare community share their thoughts on the current state of the inclusion of Hispanic voices in the nursing community. Theses nurses discuss some of their ideas about the month’s significance and what can be done to address the shortage of Hispanic nurses. 

Alana Cueto, MSN, R.N., CNL, NAHN’s 19th President

Alana Cueto has invested many years as a nursing professional helping vulnerable populations living in impoverished neighborhoods by providing service, education, and advocacy. She is a registered nurse, certified clinical nurse leader, educator, and Fellow at the New York Academy of Medicine. She was also the 19th President of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses.

Regarding the shortage of Hispanic nurses within the nursing field, she states that: 

“Providing role models and mentorship for nursing students is vital to the success of minority nursing students. Lack of support plays a large part in low graduation rates. Minority faculty teaching at schools of nursing need to share their journeys with students. This process of sharing one’s journey, including the struggles and overcoming obstacles, helps students gain the confidence needed to succeed. It’s the concept of ‘if he/she can do it, so can I’.”

Moreover, Cueto believes there needs to be more emphasis on actionable plans to diversify the field: 

“It is time we moved from advocacy to action. Minority nurses need to be given every resource, tool, and opportunity to succeed. Financial issues can be eased with scholarships and work-study programs. Confidence can be addressed with a greater number of role models and minority healthcare workers in leadership positions. Fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging is essential in bringing an array of minority voices to the table. When you have a multicultural healthcare workforce you have nurses with the knowledge and skills to meet the diverse needs of patients.”

Martha Salmon, RN

Martha Salmon dreamed about becoming a nurse at the age of 12 years old. She was able to finish nursing school while raising two children and has been a nurse for 11 years. She uses her inspirational story to encourage other Hispanic nurses to achieve their dreams. Salmon started Latina, RN to encourage Hispanic nurses to take pride in their culture while pursuing careers in healthcare. 

In regard to her path, she notes that there were hardly any Hispanic nurses when she started:

“Being a nurse for 11 years now, and seeing the growth in diversity has been great,” she said. “I remember when I started as an LVN, I could count the number of Latino nurses on one hand. Now, there are significantly more, thankfully, but now it’s time to use these voices. I take pride in educating my unit on the use of interpretation, finding different ways to encourage the use of interpretation, and educating the patients/patients’ families that it’s OK to stop a doctor, to stop a nurse to ask for interpreting services when needed.”

Resources for National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN): 

NAHN profiles Latinx and Hispanic role models and facilitates the Mentors Connection program, which pairs prospective nurses with experienced nurses who offer career advice, guidance, and support.

  • NAHN:

https://www.nahnnet.org/

  • NAHN Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/nahnnursing/

  • Center to Champion Nurses in America:

https://www.facebook.com/championnursing/

  • LatinaRN.com:

https://latinarn.com/

  • Hispanic Star Nurse Heroes grant: 

http://hispanicstar.org/nurse-heroes/

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Sources

Demetrius was an Incredible Health contributor. He has worked as a freelance writer and content strategist. His work has appeared in outlets such as Java Magazine, Phoenix Magazine, and Nurse.org.

Read more from Demetrius

What Is a Neonatal Nurse?

Nurse Types / Neonatal Nurse

According to the National Association of Neonatal Nurses, approximately 40,000 low birth weight infants are born annually in the United States. Due to the advances in medicine, along with physicians and nurses who care for vulnerable babies, survival rates are 10 times better than they were 15 years ago. 

Though there has been significant progress, there are still a lot of infants born who need special care and attention within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Enter the neonatal nurse!

In this post, we will explore the following: 

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What is neonatal nursing?

The neonatal period is the first month of an infant’s life. Neonatal nursing is a specialty within nursing that cares for newborn infants with issues such as prematurity, low birthweight, congenital disabilities, cardiac problems, infection and sepsis. In general, neonatal nursing refers to care for patients experiencing issues right after birth. 

It also involves helping infants who experience long-term problems specific to prematurity or illness after birth. Sometimes, neonatal nurses can care for infants until they are two years old. 

What does a neonatal nurse do?

Neonatal nurses provide essential and often life-saving care for infants. Some of their job duties include: 

  • Providing round the clock care for infants immediately after birth
  • Checking the health of infants suffering from birth complications
  • Performing tests and evaluating results 
  • Educating new parents on caring for their infant
  • Operating and maintaining the equipment in the NICU
  • Discussing with parents or guardians various procedures 

What is it like to work as a neonatal nurse?

Though many nursing specialties overlap, there are some specific ways that neonatal nursing differs from other types of specialties. The primary way that neonatal nursing differs involves the relative level of stress they work under. 

Their patients are often in critical condition and need constant attention, similar to an ICU nurse. The nurse-to-patient ratios are generally lower. In other words, you work with fewer patients than other nurses do. 

Another factor that’s different is the size of the patient. Since you’re dealing with patients that are often significantly undersized, you have to be meticulous with how you administer medication. Many NICUs require two RNs to verify medications, even for something benign like multivitamins.

Sandy Chiem, RN, a neonatal nurse, said, “It is incredibly easy to accidentally give a premature infant an adult dose of a medication because it literally comes down to a few zeros sometimes.”

One of the primary goals of neonatal nurses is to see the patients reach weight goals. You are there to help them gain the necessary weight for them to go home and enjoy the care and comfort of their loved ones. 

But weight is “only one small piece of the puzzle,” according to Chiem.

Other benchmarks neonatal nurses use include adequate weight gain, being off respiratory support, adequate thermoregulation outside of the isolette, 5-7 days apneic/bradycardic event free, and ability to bottle or breastfeed without the assistance of a nasogastric feeding tube.

Neonatal nurses need to have emotional composure. You will see many infants who never make it past your care. It’s essential to have a toolkit of self-help routines and coping mechanisms to weather those storms.

You’ll also work with the same baby for the entirety of their stay. This promotes continuity of care and better outcomes.

Most importantly, the NICU is also family centered.

“You are supporting families through some of the hardest days of their lives,” Chiem said. “Not only do we support the baby but a huge part of what we do is work with parents, whether that be providing emotional support or education.”

How do you become a neonatal nurse?

Step 1: Obtain a nursing degree

The first step to becoming a neonatal nurse is to meet the educational requirements. You must complete either an ADN or BSN. You can finish an associate program in two years at a community college. A bachelor’s degree requires two years of general education and two years of upper-division nursing units. 

Step 2: Get licensed

After you receive your degree, the next step is to get licensed. As a nursing graduate, you must take the NCLEX-RN exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Individuals who pass this exam are set to become registered nurses through their state of residence. 

Step 3: Training and certification

Once you pass the NCLEX-RN exam, you have a few options for receiving certification as a neonatal nurse. The National Certification Corporation provides an RNC Certification for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-NIC).

Candidates must have an active RN license, 24 months of specialized experience as an RN, and a passing score on an eligibility exam to obtain this credential. This must be renewed every three years.

There is also the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, which provides the CCRN (Neonatal) specialty certification. You can also apply for specialized NICU certifications:

After you receive certification, you will have an opportunity to join a NICU team as a neonatal nurse. You also need to pay attention to continuing education requirements specific to the state in which you practice. 

How do you change your specialty to become a neonatal nurse?

If you are already working as a nurse and want to try and change roles, there are a few ways to do this. The first step is to shadow a nurse in the NICU department. You can ask your supervisor to shadow another nurse. While shadowing, it’s crucial to network with the other nurses on the unit. Get a feel for the unit and the people who work on it.

By networking, you can gain insight into the open positions as well. Once you learn of an opening, it’s all about timing. You don’t want to switch roles as a new nurse.

How much does a neonatal nurse make?

A neonatal nurse’s salary depends on many factors. Some of these factors include location, experience and education. According to data from Incredible Health, the average salary for Neonatal Critical Care Nurses is $88,160 – an hourly rate of $42. This is about 6% higher than a the average registered nurse’s median wage.

Here’s a breakdown of the neonatal nurse salary in comparison to other nursing positions.

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What is the difference between a neonatal and a NICU nurse?

The neonatal and NICU nurse are the same role. NICU nurses are simply neonatal nurses who work in the NICU. The NICU is the neonatal intensive care unit.

What are the career opportunities for a neonatal nurse?

There are many different opportunities for neonatal nurses within this specialty. Below you will find a list of typical roles. 

Staff nurses

These nurses assist with specialized care for severely to mildly ill newborns. You could see yourself caring for an infant who is using a ventilator or helping a new mom with breastfeeding.  

Clinical nurse specialists

This is an advanced practice registered nurse who equips the nursing staff with educational programs to ensure they provide up-to-date, evidence-based care. 

Nurse managers

In this role, the nurses provide administrative leadership to the staff to ensure that policies and procedures are followed for optimal patient care. 

Developmental care specialists

These nurses have specifically studied developmental care for sick and preterm infants. They help the team with developmental needs and goals of newborn babies, such as weight gain. 

Neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs)

This role is staffed by advanced practice registered nurses who coordinate with physicians and other nurses to provide critical care to NICU infants. 

What is the salary and career outlook for neonatal nurses?

The average salary for a neonatal nurse is $88,160. That is higher than the annual average salary for all RNs of $82,750.

The career outlook for RNs is expected to grow by 6% between 2021 and 2031.

NICU nurse salary by state
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Maryland
Michigan
Missouri
Mississippi
North Carolina
New Jersey
Nevada
New York
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

FAQs

What is a neonatal nurse?

Neonatal nursing is a specialty within nursing that cares for newborn infants with issues such as prematurity, low birthweight, congenital disabilities, and cardiac problems.

What does a neonatal nurse make?

The average salary for a neonatal nurse is $88,160.

What is the difference between a neonatal nurse and a NICU nurse?

The neonatal and NICU nurse are the same role. NICU nurses are simply neonatal nurses who work in the NICU. The NICU is the neonatal intensive care unit.

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Demetrius was an Incredible Health contributor. He has worked as a freelance writer and content strategist. His work has appeared in outlets such as Java Magazine, Phoenix Magazine, and Nurse.org.

Read more from Demetrius
Reviewed by Sandy Chiem, RN

Sandy has been a registered nurse for 10 years after graduating from the University of Connecticut with her BSN. She spent most of my nursing career in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where she found joy in taking care of the tiniest humans and their families. In addition to her professional career, she enjoys participating in humanitarian and social initiatives outside of work.

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