nicu nurse personal statement

Career Advice > Job Search > Resumes and Cover Letters > Neonatal Nurse Resume Writing Tips and Sample

Neonatal Nurse Resume Writing Tips and Sample

Search resource center.

As a neonatal (NICU) nurse , you care for some of the tiniest (yet most resilient) patients. You’re an expert in all things newborns, from healthy to critically ill infants. Needless to say, your role in the healthcare team is essential.

Having a quality neonatal nurse resume can be the make-or-break factor in landing an interview and securing the job you want. In addition to your neonatal nurse cover letter , it’s the first opportunity for you to make an excellent impression on the hiring manager.

3 Writing Tips for Standout Neonatal Nurse Resumes

As you create your nursing resume , keep these tips in mind:

1. Lead with a professional summary . Dedicate a few sentences below your contact info to letting the hiring manager know why they should keep reading. What are your strong suits? How many years of experience do you have? What else helps set you apart from the competition?

2. Quantify when possible. Numbers give hiring managers a clearer picture of your qualifications. Be as specific as you can. Don’t just say you’ve performed a lot of assessments. Rather, state how many patients you’ve worked with, on average, within a year.

3. Make it relevant. Not sure which skills and certifications to put on your resume? Stick with the ones that are mentioned in the requirements portion of a job ad. Tailor your resume to each job’s list of requirements.

Neonatal Nurse Resume Sample

George garcia.

Concord, New Hampshire [email protected] (555) 555-5555

Experienced neonatal nurse of five years seeking a per diem position. Developed strong advocacy and critical thinking skills during RN role at Concord Medical Center. Esteemed nursing professional committed to providing high-quality, safe neonatal care.

Key Qualifications

• Detail-oriented, compassionate, and effective communicator
• Possess an active, unencumbered RN license in New Hampshire
• Specialized nursing care in low to moderate-risk neonates and infants

Sprout University , Concord, NH 20XX

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Professional Experience

Concord Medical Center , Registered Nurse, 20XX–present

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

• Provide specialized care to critically ill infants, including inserting IVs, respiratory care with ventilators, and obtaining daily weights.
• Educate parents’ on infant care, equipment, condition, and procedures.
• Administer medications, titrate IV medications per orders, and monitor vital signs on two neonatal patients per shift.

Toddler Town Medical Office , Registered Nurse, 20XX–20XX

• Facilitated parenting classes with over 40 families, covering topics such as infant growth and development, breastfeeding, and healthy parent-child interactions.
• Oriented and trained 16 nurses, educating them on facility policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Performed newborn assessments on over 200 infants, including newborn screenings, assessing infant milestones, and obtaining vital signs.

Empathetic; Flexible; Organized; Time Management; Patient; Teamwork; Cultural Competence

Certifications and Licenses

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)

Registered nurse (RN)

Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

Neonatal Nursing Resume: Q&A

What are common neonatal nurse experience requirements ?

You won’t always need prior nursing experience to work as a neonatal nurse, although some employers may prefer it. You will need competence in newborn care, newborn assessment, newborn resuscitation, critical thinking, and effective communication skills.

What is a personal statement for a neonatal nurse?

A personal statement consists of one to three sentences that summarize your qualifications and experiences. It’s very similar to an objective statement , except that this is more individualized and personal, explaining why you are a good fit. It should complement the information in your cover letter . Refer to the neonatal nurse resume sample for an example of what a personal statement looks like in practice.

What salary can a neonatal nurse expect?

The average neonatal nurse salary is about $71,500 per year. Depending on your degree, experience, location, and facility, your exact salary may differ.

Put Your Resume to Work

Now that you learned how to write an optimized neonatal nurse resume, you’re ready to apply for jobs. Need help with that? Search for neonatal nurse jobs on IntelyCare today.

Latest Jobs

Rn ambulatory surgery center full time varied shift at cha hollywood presbyterian medical center, rn transitional opportunities – cardiac interventional telemetry & oncology at overlake medical center & clinics, canadian rn jobs in washington – overlake medical center (medical unit) at overlake medical center & clinics, rn – med surg-t2-cardiac medical unit – night at jps health network, related articles, nurse educator cover letter writing tips and sample, nurse educator resume writing tips and sample, home health nurse resume writing tips and sample, pcu nurse resume writing tips and sample, surgical tech cover letter writing tips and sample, related jobs.

Neonatal Nurse CV example

You’re there to support families in some of the most trying times of their lives when their little ones are sick. There is no greater gift you can give.

That is why, if you hope to secure your next nursing position, you need a carefully crafted CV that proves you’ve got the training and experience to take on such an important role.

So, to help you with your application, we’ve created the following step-by-step guide, full of expert advice and complete with a neonatal nurse CV example.

CV templates 

Neonatal Nurse CV example

This is a good example of a Neonatal Nurse CV which contains all of the information that a hiring manager will need to be impressed, and presents it in a well- structured, easy-to-read format.

Take some time to study and understand this CV, and refer to it throughout the writing of your own CV for best results.

Build your CV now 

Neonatal Nurse CV format and structure

In a highly competitive job market, recruiters and employers are often inundated with applications. If they can’t find what they’re looking for in your CV quickly, they may skip past your application and move on to the next one in their inbox

So, it’s crucial to structure and format your CV in a way that enables them to find your essential details with ease, even if they’re pressed for time.

Tips for formatting your Neonatal Nurse CV

• Length: Even if you’ve got tons of experience to brag about, recruiters don’t have time to read through overly lengthy CVs. Keep it short, concise and relevant – a CV length of 2 sides of A4 pages or less is perfect for the attention spans in today’s job market.
• Readability : Recruiters appreciate CVs that they can quickly scan through without trouble. Ensure yours makes the cut by formatting your headings for attention (bold or coloured fonts should do the trick) and breaking up long paragraphs into smaller chunks or short, snappy bullet points.
• Design & format: While it’s okay to add your own spin to your CV, avoid overdoing the design. If you go for something elaborate, you might end up frustrating recruiters who, above anything, value simplicity and clarity.
• Photos: You can add a profile photo to your CV, if you want to add some personality to it, but they are not a requirement the UK, so you don’t have to.

Quick tip: Creating a professional CV style can be difficult and time-consuming when using Microsoft Word or Google Docs. To create a winning CV quickly, try our quick-and-easy CV Builder and use one of their eye-catching professional CV templates.

CV structure

When writing your CV , break up the content into the following key sections, to ensure it can be easily digested by busy recruiters and hiring managers:

• Contact details – Always list these at the very top of your CV – you don’t want them to be missed!
• Profile – An introductory paragraph, intended to grab recruiters attention and summarise your offering.
• Work experience / career history – Working from your current role and working backwards, list your relevant work experience.
• Education – Create a snappy summary of your education and qualifications.
• Interest and hobbies – An optional section to document any hobbies that demonstrate transferable skills.

Now you understand the basic layout of a CV, here’s what you should include in each section of yours.

Contact Details

Kick-start your CV with your contact details, so recruiters can get in touch easily. Here’s what you should include:

• Mobile number
• Email address – Make sure it’s professional, with no silly nicknames.
• Location – Your town or city is sufficient, rather than a full address.
• LinkedIn profile or portfolio URL – Ensure they’ve been updated and are looking slick and professional.

Quick tip: Avoid listing your date of birth, marital status or other irrelevant details – they’re unnecessary at this stage.

Neonatal Nurse CV Profile

Make a strong first impression with recruiters by starting your CV with an impactful profile (or personal statement for junior applicants).

This short introduction paragraph should summarise your skills, experience, and knowledge, highlighting your suitability for the job.

It should be compelling enough to encourage recruiters to read through the rest of your CV.

How to write a good CV profile:

• Make it short and sharp: Recruiters are busy, so to ensure your profile is actually read, it’s best to keep it short and snappy. 3-5 punchy lines makes for the perfect profile.
• Tailor it: If recruiters don’t see your suitability within a few seconds, they may close your CV straight away. Your CV profile should closely match the essential requirements listed in the job ad, so make sure to review them before you write it.
• Don’t add an objective: If you want to discuss your career objectives, save them for your cover letter , rather than wasting valuable CV profile space.
• Avoid generic phrases: Clichés like “ blue-sky thinker with a go-getter attitude” might sound impressive to you, but they don’t actually tell the recruiter much about you. Concentrate on highlighting hard facts and skills, as recruiters are more likely to take these on board.

Example CV profile for Neonatal Nurse

What to include in your neonatal nurse cv profile.

• Experience overview: Demonstrate your suitability for your target jobs by giving a high level summary of your previous work work experience , including the industries you have worked in, types of employer, and the type of roles you have previous experience of.
• Targeted skills: Make your most relevant Neonatal Nurse key skills clear in your profile. These should be tailored to the specific role you’re applying for – so make sure to check the job description first, and aim to match their requirements as closely as you can.
• Important qualifications: If the jobs you are applying to require candidates to have certain qualifications, then you must add them in your profile to ensure they are seen by hiring managers.

Quick tip: If you are finding it difficult to write an attention-grabbing CV profile, choose from hundreds of pre-written profiles across all industries, and add one to your CV with one click in our quick-and-easy CV Builder . All profiles are written by recruitment experts and easily tailored to suit your unique skillset.

Core skills section

Next, you should create a bullet pointed list of your core skills , formatted into 2-3 columns.

Here, you should focus on including the most important skills or knowledge listed in the job advertisement.

This will instantly prove that you’re an ideal candidate, even if a recruiter only has time to briefly scan your CV.

Important skills for your Neonatal Nurse CV

Neonatal Assessment – Conducting thorough assessments of newborns, including physical examinations, vital signs monitoring, and assessment of gestational age.

NICU Equipment Operation – Operating and troubleshooting specialised neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) equipment such as ventilators, incubators, and phototherapy units.

Neonatal Medication Administration – Maintaining knowledge of neonatal medications, their dosages, administration routes, and potential side effects.

Respiratory Care – Managing respiratory distress in neonates, including administering oxygen therapy, and assisting with mechanical ventilation.

Neonatal IV Therapy – Inserting and managing intravenous lines in neonates for fluid and medication administration.

Neonatal Resuscitation – Maintaining certification in neonatal resuscitation techniques, including effective use of resuscitation equipment and CPR for newborns.

Neonatal Nutrition – Maintaining knowledge of neonatal nutritional requirements, including breast milk feeding, formula preparation, and enteral feeding techniques.

Infection Control – Maintaining proficiency in infection prevention and control measures to reduce the risk of neonatal infections in the NICU.

Family-Centred Care – Providing support and education to families of neonates, involving them in care decisions and promoting bonding.

Documentation and Reporting – Utilising accurate and detailed record-keeping and reporting skills, ensuring that patient charts and reports are up-to-date and complete.

Quick tip: Our quick-and-easy CV Builder has thousands of in-demand skills for all industries and professions, that can be added to your CV in seconds – This will save you time and ensure you get noticed by recruiters.

Work experience

Now that recruiters have a good overview of your skills and abilities, you need to jump into the detail of your career history.

Give them a more thorough insight into what you can do by creating a detailed list of your relevant experience.

Start with your current role, and work backwards through all the relevant positions you’ve held. This could be freelance, contract or voluntary work too; as long as it’s related to the role you’re applying for.

Structuring each job

Your work experience section will be long, so it’s important to structure it in a way which helps recruiters to quickly and easily find the information they need.

Use the 3-step structure, shown in the below example, below to achieve this.

Start with a 1-2 sentence summary of your role as a whole, detailing what the goal of your position was, who you reported to or managed, and the type of organisation you worked for.

Key responsibilities

Follow with a snappy list of bullet points, detailing your daily duties and responsibilities.

Tailor it to the role you’re applying for by mentioning how you put the target employer’s desired hard skills and knowledge to use in this role.

Key achievements

Lastly, add impact by highlight 1-3 key achievements  that you made within the role.

Struggling to think of an achievement? If it had a positive impact on your company, it counts.

For example, you might increased company profits, improved processes, or something simpler, such as going above and beyond to solve a customer’s problem.

Sample job description for Neonatal Nurse CV

Deliver expert health services to fragile babies who may require intensive medical attention, for a trust that serves a population in excess of 400K people across a catchment area covering North Lincolnshire, Northeast Lincolnshire, and East Riding of Yorkshire.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough physical examinations and record vital signs, such as heart/breathing rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation to detect early problems.
• Administer IV drugs, therapies, and other procedures as prescribed by doctors.
• Interpret and respond to changes in patients’ condition prompt and professional manner.
• Manage and operate various ventilators, CPAP machines, and O2 devices to support respiratory distress.

Quick tip: Create impressive job descriptions easily in our quick-and-easy CV Builder by adding pre-written job phrases for every industry and career stage.

Education section

Although there should be mentions of your highest and most relevant qualifications earlier on in your CV, save your exhaustive list of qualifications for the bottom.

If you’re an experienced candidate, simply include the qualifications that are highly relevant to Neonatal Nurse roles.

However, less experienced candidates can provide a more thorough list of qualifications, including A-Levels and GCSEs.

You can also dedicate more space to your degree, discussing relevant exams, assignments and modules in more detail, if your target employers consider them to be important.

Hobbies and interests

The hobbies and interests CV section isn’t mandatory, so don’t worry if you’re out of room by this point.

However, if you have an interesting hobby , or an interest that could make you seem more suitable for the role, then certainly think about adding.

Be careful what you include though… Only consider hobbies that exhibit skills that are required for roles as a Neonatal Nurse, or transferable workplace skills.

There is never any need to tell employers that you like to watch TV and eat out.

When putting together your Neonatal Nurse CV, there are a few key points to remember

Always tailor your CV to the target role, even if it means creating several versions for different roles.

Additionally, remember that the structure and format of your CV needs just as much attention as the content.

Good luck with your job search!

What Do NICU Nurses Do? Requirements, Characteristics, and Skills Needed to Care for the Smallest Patients

by Trusted Nurse Staffing | Jul 18, 2022 | News

As a nurse, you’ve recently discovered that you have a love for working with babies. A job as a NICU nurse sounds wonderful, but you’re worried if you really have what it takes to become  the best NICU nurse you can be.

Truth be told, NICU nursing isn’t for everyone.

Embodying specific characteristics and learning specific skill sets help make for a great NICU nurse. 

You know that NICU nurses help care for babies, but really, what do NICU nurses do?

Learn all about NICU nursing and what it takes to care for the world’s tiniest patients here.

Table of Contents

What is it like to be a nicu nurse, what does a nicu nurse do, is working as a nicu nurse difficult, what makes a great nicu nurse, top 4 skills that turn good nicu nurses into great nicu nurses, trusted nurse staffing: helping great nicu nurses land contracts around the country.

All nurses should embody many of the same characteristics — they should be kind, caring, compassionate, reliable, and resilient. However, as a NICU nurse, some unique challenges and situations may require you to provide care differently.

NICU nurses work with the tiniest of patients, from babies born too small, babies born too early, or those with complications. Having the ability to care for them in the best way possible while knowing the outcomes might not be favorable takes some extra strength.

Simply put, NICU nurses are superheroes.

By pushing emotions aside and putting responsibilities first, NICU nurses have what it takes to persevere through difficult and emotional days. 

At Trusted Nurse Staffing, our recruiters work with travel nurses and help place them with contracts as NICU nurses. If you’re looking to get started, use Pronto to search for jobs and have our team help you along the way.

NICU — Neonatal Intensive Care Unit — nurses specialize in caring for premature newborns or babies born with life-threatening illnesses. Although a premature birth is the most common reason a baby might be admitted to the NICU, there are a handful of other reasons , including:

• Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)
• Sepsis or infection
• Hypoglycemia
• Perinatal depression
• Maternal chorioamnionitis 

There are also times when babies born without complications are discharged home and return to be admitted to the NICU for other conditions, like late-onset infection, cardiac conditions, poor weight gain, or serious illness.

NICU nurses are responsible for many duties regarding a baby’s care to help see them and their parents through a difficult journey, including:

• Monitoring and assessing vitals
• Drawing blood
• Informing and educating parents
• Ensuring IV fluids and medications are administered
• Hands-on care
• 24/7 monitoring of patients
• Providing oxygen therapy and specialized feeding techniques
• Ensuring ventilators and other support equipment are working properly
• Developing and implementing care plans 
• Documenting patient care

2 Top Responsibilities of a NICU Nurse

While every responsibility that a NICU nurse has is important, two major responsibilities may be deemed the most important of them all.

Remember, NICU patients are babies. They don’t talk, they have no understanding of what is going on, and they’re likely scared. 

They’re vulnerable. And so are their families.

Yes, monitoring vitals, drawing blood, and working on care plans are all important, but providing family support and administering the best care possible are two of the biggest responsibilities of a NICU nurse.

#1: Providing Family Support

Being away from your child is tough enough, but being separated from them while they are hospitalized, sick, and helpless is even more difficult.

As a NICU nurse, keeping parents and family well-informed, educated, and full of resources is one of the best things that you can do.

For some parents, their NICU baby could be their first and only child. Or, it could be their first experience with a NICU. Or maybe they had a traumatizing NICU experience in the past.

Be supportive, be communicative, and be effective in your approach.

#2: Administering Excellent Care

It goes without saying that every patient cared for, whether in the NICU or elsewhere, should be cared for with the best intentions in mind.

But as a NICU nurse who provides care for babies without their families, administering excellent care 100% of the time is crucial. 

Remember, these vulnerable infants are counting on you to get them home to their parents by giving them the finest care available to them.

Working as a NICU nurse tends to be emotionally draining, maybe more so than other nursing specialties. Why does that seem to be the case? It could be that the population of patients is so vulnerable that it takes extra resilience to deal with their daily care and support, and sometimes, loss.

But where emotions tend to be higher for NICU nurses, physical demand tends to be lower. 

Not only are NICU patients tiny and lighter than patients typically admitted to other areas, making them easier to lift and move, but they also require ample sleep and rest to help grow and heal so more time is spent observing them in incubators than it is physically assisting them.

Requirements to Become a NICU Nurse

Does becoming a NICU nurse sound like something you could see yourself doing? 

First, you must become a registered nurse (RN) by earning either an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Once you’ve graduated from your program, you must take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become board-certified and receive your specific state’s nursing license.

Your first job as an RN will likely not be in the NICU. Oftentimes, nurses who do wish to work in the NICU first work in pediatrics before transitioning to the NICU after gaining some experience. If your hospital offers a NICU residency program, it might be a good idea to utilize this option to gain experience.

Although not required, nurses can obtain extra certifications to help increase potential NICU job offers and higher salaries.

A NICU nurse must have both the professional knowledge and “soft skills” necessary to be an effective NICU nurse — one that can adequately care for their patients while displaying the important characteristics necessary for success.

Working in a neonatal unit requires you to pivot between extreme situations and emotions. One moment might be filled with joy at the birth of a child while the next is filled with sadness over the loss of another one.

So how are NICU nurses so great? They embody some important characteristics that help them through their days. 

Top 4 Characteristics Needed To Be a Good NICU Nurse

#1: empathy.

Newborn babies are tiny. They’re vulnerable, sometimes alone, and likely inherently scared. Often, critically ill infants cannot be in direct contact with their parents due to their precarious conditions, so they require a similar maternal figure to care for them.

NICU nurses must fill this gap, combining emergency-quality medical skills with genuine love and care for the child.

Empathy also allows nurses to provide comfort to the families of these tiny patients. A nurse with empathy can establish a meaningful connection with parents and assure them that their little one is being well cared for.

Even more, empathetic nurses can quickly recognize signs of distress in their patients and adjust their care accordingly.

#2: Compassion

On the surface, being compassionate means you have a deep awareness of and sympathy for another person’s suffering without judgment. But, as a NICU nurse, the meaning runs deeper.

In nursing, specifically NICU nursing, being compassionate means you:

• Alleviate suffering
• Listen with care
• Can develop a trusting relationship with the patients
• Go above and beyond to attend to their needs

Because NICU nurses often work closely with patients and their families for an extended time, having compassion can go a long way.

Research has shown that a compassionate nurse can ease a patient’s suffering, which makes them such a critical component in medical situations.

#3: Adaptability

As a nurse, having the ability to anticipate, respond to, and manage a situation is imperative. This is especially true for NICU nurses.

Think about it. Their patients are tiny. They cannot speak, cannot feed themselves, cannot change themselves. They’re unable to let you know when something hurts, something doesn’t feel right, or if they need help.

As a nurse in the neonatal unit, thinking quickly and critically to assess situations can save lives.

By remaining vigilant, observant, and detail-oriented, NICU Nurses continue to provide quality care to their patients.

To be caring, compassionate, and adaptable, you must also be driven. With drive, you have a desire to make a difference in people’s lives.

Not only are the best NICU nurses driven and passionate about helping babies with complex medical conditions, but they also wish to make a positive impact by providing the best comfort and care possible.

Are you a great communicator and critical thinker? Do you have a knack for multi-tasking? Are your interpersonal skills stellar? 

If so, you likely have a place as a NICU nurse. Trusted Nurse Staffing can help you land the NICU job of your dreams, whether you’re a first-time travel nurse or a seasoned professional. Contact us today!

#1: Critical Thinking

The concept of critical thinking as a NICU nurse extends beyond nursing knowledge learned in school. For NICU nurses, critical thinking involves:

• Anticipating the needs of patients
• Recognizing potential and real complications
• Communicating needs, complications, and thoughts effectively with the care team

A newborn’s condition in the NICU can change quickly and sometimes unexpectedly. To assess a newborn’s situation both timely and accurately, NICU nurses must use critical thinking skills.  

If you’re a NICU nurse who can do this, you’ll likely provide better care to your patients.

Imagine this:

You’re a NICU nurse with several medically fragile infant patients. You just arrived at work and are reviewing the day’s caseload.

Here’s where your critical thinking comes into play.

Which patient do you see first? Is one in need of more urgent care than another? Who needs medication first? Who just needs to be held? How are you going to work through this day most efficiently while also providing the care each patient needs?

#2: Communication

As a NICU nurse, not only are you responsible for effectively communicating with doctors and colleagues, but you’re the mediator between doctors and parents and infants and their parents.

Your job is to bring situations to the doctor’s attention, work through a care plan, and also explain complicated situations and terminology to parents.

And even after a patient is well enough to go home, effective communication doesn’t end for you. Now, as a NICU nurse, your job is to explain to these often overwhelmed parents how to care for their baby in their own space.

#3: Multi-Tasking 

NICU nurses often are tasked with performing multiple duties at once. To do this while still providing effective patient care, NICU nurses must be exceptionally competent. 

It’s not uncommon that one nurse tends to multiple babies in the NICU at once — that’s multiple tiny, fragile, defenseless patients to care for.

Imagine trying to place a feeding tube and monitor one baby’s oxygen levels while listening to the alarms beep on another baby’s monitors. Meanwhile, it’s time to eat for a third baby and a fourth’s family just walked in.

Sounds overwhelming, right?

As a NICU nurse who can multitask well, patients can continue to receive effective treatment and care without sacrificing quality.

#4: Interpersonal Skills

We mentioned that NICU nurses are often the communication line between an infant’s parents and their care team. To do this effectively, NICU nurses must establish rapport and trust with a family by utilizing their interpersonal skills.

NICU nurses should pay attention to how families receive information, how their demeanors change when certain situations arise, and how they communicate. 

By taking note of these things, NICU nurses can customize their approach to different families to best communicate information and help put parents at ease.

Working as a NICU nurse is tough. But it’s also incredibly rewarding.

Imagine having the opportunity to take your work around the country, helping to change the lives of babies and families in different facilities as you go.

If you have a love for nursing, a love for children, and a love for travel, working as a travel NICU nurse could be the right job for you. 

At Trusted Nurse Staffing, we have helped thousands of NICU nurses and other nurses just like you land contracts they love.

And the benefits don’t end with travel.

We also offer:

• Flexible contracts
• 24-hour access to recruiters
• Welcome boxes for new nurses
• Vision and dental plans
• Food and housing stipends

Let Trusted Nurse Staffing help you find your next travel NICU nurse position and start searching on Pronto today.

Recent Posts

• Travel Nursing and Student Loans: Repayment and Forgiveness Options
• Overcome New Travel Nurse Anxiety With These Helpful Tips
• How To Improve Leadership Skills in Nursing and Take Your Career to the Next Level
• 10 Nursing Career Goals That Can Advance and Enrich Your Future
• Weighing the Pros and Cons of Being a Pediatric Nurse: Job Satisfaction, Requirements, Pay, and More

Nursing Bay

College personal statement examples and writing tips.

A crucial step in your nursing journey is learning how to write a personal statement that resonates with admissions committees and vividly portrays your passion for healthcare. This collection of amazing personal statement examples is curated to guide and inspire you as you articulate your aspirations, experiences, and motivation to pursue nursing.

What is a Personal Statement?

A personal statement is a written narrative that typically forms a significant part of an application to universities, colleges, or professional programs, particularly in fields like nursing. It’s an opportunity for junior year applicants to present themselves beyond test scores and grades, offering insights into their personalities, experiences, goals, and motivations.

In a personal statement, applicants explain why they are interested in a specific field of study or profession, what they hope to achieve through the program, and how their background and experiences have prepared them for this path. It’s a chance to highlight unique attributes, significant life experiences, challenges overcome, or special achievements that make them an ideal candidate for the program.

Why Read Personal Statement Examples?

Reading personal statement essay examples is immensely beneficial for several reasons, especially when preparing your own statement for applications to nursing programs:

• Inspiration and Ideas: Examples can inspire you and provide ideas on structuring your statement, what kind of content to include in your application essay, and how to convey your story and passion effectively.
• Understanding Expectations: They offer insight into what admissions committees look for, helping you understand the level of detail, tone, and approach that resonates successfully in such applications.
• Learning from Others: Seeing how others have articulated their experiences, challenges, and aspirations can guide you in reflecting upon and articulating your own journey and motivations.
• Avoiding Common Mistakes: By examining a range of examples, you can identify common pitfalls and clichés to avoid, ensuring your statement stands out and feels genuine.
• Gaining Confidence: Reading successful common app essays can boost your confidence, showing you that crafting a compelling narrative that combines personal experiences with professional aspirations is possible.
• Diverse Perspectives: Examples offer a glimpse into the diversity of paths and motivations that lead people to nursing, potentially broadening your perspective and enriching your own approach to writing your statement.

How Long Should a Personal Statement Be?

The length of your personal statement should ideally align with the guidelines provided by the institution or program you are applying to. Personal statements are expected to be concise yet comprehensive, often ranging around 500 to 650 words , translating to about one to two pages. 

This word count allows enough space to clearly articulate your experiences, motivations, and aspirations without overloading the reader with information. It’s important to always adhere to the program’s specific word or character limits to demonstrate your ability to follow instructions and present your thoughts.

What Should a Personal Statement Include?

A well-written college admissions essay should include several key elements to effectively communicate your suitability for the program or position you are applying for. Here’s what to typically include:

Introduction

Your personal statement should begin with an engaging introductory paragraph that captures the essence of your motivation for pursuing your chosen field. This could be a brief narrative of a defining moment, an experience that ignited your passion, or a clear articulation of your interest and enthusiasm.

The introduction sets the tone and should intrigue the reader, providing a glimpse into your unique journey and motivation. It’s important that this section hooks the reader’s attention and provides a compelling reason to continue reading your statement.

Academic and Professional Background

In this section, brainstorm and detail your relevant academic and professional experiences that have prepared you for this next step. Highlight key academic achievements, coursework, research, or projects that align with the field you are pursuing.

Also, include any relevant work experience, internships, or positions that have given you practical skills and insights. This part of the statement is crucial for showcasing your foundational knowledge and preparedness for advanced study or professional development and gaining a scholarship in your chosen area.

Extracurricular Activities and Volunteering

Your involvement in extracurricular activities and volunteering can significantly enrich your personal statement. This section should reflect how these activities have contributed to your personal growth, skills development, or understanding of your field.

Whether it’s a hobby, leadership roles in clubs, participation in sports teams, or volunteer work in community organizations, these experiences demonstrate your broader interests, commitment, and ability to balance multiple responsibilities. It’s an opportunity to show aspects of your character and values that academic achievements alone might not convey.

Personal Qualities and Skills

Reflect on and draft the personal qualities and skills that make you suited for your chosen path. This might include traits like resilience, empathy, critical thinking, or effective communication. Use specific examples or experiences to demonstrate how you have developed and applied these traits.

This personal reflection not only provides depth to your statement but also gives the admissions committee a clearer picture of who you are as an individual, beyond academic and professional achievements.

Career Goals and Aspirations

Discuss your career aspirations and how the program or position you are applying for aligns with these goals. This section should convey a clear vision of where you see yourself in the future and how the specific program or role will be a stepping stone toward that vision.

It’s important to show that you have a direction and purpose and that you see this opportunity as integral to your career journey. This not only demonstrates foresight and planning but also shows your commitment and seriousness about the path you are choosing.

Reasons for Choosing the Specific Program or Institution

Clearly articulate why you are applying to this particular program or institution. Discuss what specific aspects of the program, faculty, institution’s philosophy, or opportunities available are particularly attractive to you and why they resonate with your goals and preferences.

This shows that you have done your research and are making a well-informed decision. It also indicates that you have a genuine interest in what the program or institution uniquely offers, rather than a generic application.

Conclude your statement with a strong, memorable closing that encapsulates your main points and reaffirms your enthusiasm and suitability for the program or career. This is your final opportunity to leave a lasting impression, summarizing why you believe you are an ideal candidate.

The conclusion should tie back to your opening, creating a cohesive narrative that leaves the reader with a clear understanding of your passion, commitment, and readiness for the next step in your academic or professional journey.

What Does an Admissions Officer Look for in a Personal Statement?

When reviewing a personal statement, admission officers are looking for several key elements to assess the suitability of a candidate for their program:

• Clarity of Purpose: Admissions officers want to see a clear understanding of why the applicant wants to pursue a particular field or program. The statement should convincingly articulate the candidate’s passion, motivation, and how the program aligns with their career goals.
• Personal Insight and Self-Reflection: A strong personal essay offers insight into the applicant’s personality, experiences, and the factors that have shaped their decision to pursue a specific path. Admissions officers look for depth of reflection and a sense of how past experiences have driven the candidate’s current ambitions.
• Relevant Experience and Skills: It’s important for the statement to highlight any relevant academic, professional, or volunteer experiences that demonstrate preparedness for the program. Admissions officers are interested in how these experiences have contributed to the development of skills and knowledge pertinent to the field.
• Writing Quality and Structure: The ability to communicate effectively and coherently through writing is crucial. Admissions officers pay attention to the overall quality of writing, including grammar, clarity, coherence, and the ability to organize thoughts logically.
• Individuality and Authenticity: They seek to understand what makes each applicant unique. A personal statement should reflect the individual’s authentic self, showcasing unique perspectives, diverse experiences, and personal growth.
• Commitment and Passion: Demonstrating genuine enthusiasm and a strong commitment to the field is essential. Admissions officers look for candidates who are likely to thrive in the program and contribute positively to their field.
• Alignment with Program Values and Goals: Candidates who show that their personal and professional values align with those of the program or institution often stand out. Admissions officers look for indications that the candidate has researched the program and understands how it fits into their broader aspirations.
• Future Potential: Finally, they are interested in the applicant’s potential for future success and contribution to the field. A compelling statement should give a sense of the candidate’s ambition to go to college and how they intend to utilize the education and opportunities provided by the program to achieve their long-term goals.

The Best Personal Statement Examples

Here are some examples that illustrate effective writing styles, clear articulation of goals, and the ability to connect personal experiences to broader career or academic aspirations:

Personal Statement Example #1 

Personal statement example #2, college essay example #3, personal statement example #4, application essay example #5, personal statement example #6, personal statement example #7, personal statement example #8, personal statement example #9, personal statement example #10, personal statement example #11, personal statement example #12, personal statement example #13, personal statement example #14, personal statement example #15, key takeaways for writing a great personal statement.

When reflecting on the nursing personal statement examples provided, several key takeaways emerge that are crucial for anyone crafting their statement. These insights are vital for effectively conveying your passion, commitment, and suitability for a career in nursing:

• Clearly articulate your personal motivation for choosing nursing.
• Highlight your relevant healthcare experiences and achievements.
• Specify your interest in any particular nursing specialty.
• Showcase qualities and skills that make you suitable for nursing.
• Outline your long-term professional aspirations in nursing.
• Acknowledge the challenges and rewards in the nursing profession.
• Express dedication to ongoing learning and professional development.
• Ensure clarity, structure, and coherence in your statement.
• Customize your statement for each specific nursing program.
• Maintain authenticity and genuineness throughout your statement.

Final Thoughts: Personal Statement Essay Examples

These nursing personal statement examples and key takeaways provide valuable insights for anyone aspiring to enter the nursing freshman year. They demonstrate the importance of a well-crafted statement that blends personal motivation, relevant experiences, and a clear understanding of the nursing profession’s demands and rewards. 

An effective personal statement is not only a reflection of your qualifications and aspirations but also a testament to your passion, empathy, and commitment to the field of nursing. It’s a unique opportunity to showcase your individuality and suitability for a career that is as challenging as it is rewarding. 

Band 6 Nurse Personal Statement Examples & Tips | Get Helpful Advice from CVLocum

Get a Head Start on Writing Your Nurse Personal Statement with our Band 5, 6, and 7 Examples.

A nursing personal statement is one of the essential elements of a successful nursing application. It is a chance to showcase your skills, knowledge, and experiences that make you the best possible candidate for the course and the profession.

For a band 6 nursing personal statement, you need to provide detailed evidence of your abilities, including communication skills, multi disciplinary working, and evidence-based practice. In this blog post, we will explore some successful examples of band 6 nurse personal statements, highlighting what you should include and how you can make your statement unique.

What to Include in a Nursing Personal Statement

Writing an effective personal statement is important because it serves as a reflection of one’s passion, commitment, and suitability for a career in nursing.

It provides an opportunity to showcase relevant experiences, skills, and qualities that make an individual a strong candidate for nursing school or a nursing position. A well-crafted personal statement allows applicants to convey their understanding of the nursing profession, their motivation for choosing this path, and their potential to contribute to the field.

It helps admissions committees and employers gain insight into an applicant’s character, values, and potential for success as a registered nurse. A compelling personal statement can set an applicant apart from others and demonstrate their genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of patients and the healthcare community as a whole.

Related: Crafting the Perfect CV Nurse Writing Tips, Templates and examples included.

Related: 11 Example Nurse Safeguarding Questions for Interview + Answers | CVLocum

It is worth mentioning these important points when writing your nursing personal statement:

– Introduce yourself and explain your passion for nursing.

– Highlight any relevant experiences, such as clinical placements or healthcare volunteering, and describe how they have shaped your desire to pursue nursing as a career.

– Discuss your understanding of the nursing profession, including the challenges and rewards it entails.

– Demonstrate your knowledge of and commitment to providing compassionate and patient-centred care.

– Emphasise your ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and a multi disciplinary team.

– Showcase your dedication to lifelong learning and medical profession development in the field of nursing.

– Discuss any specific areas of nursing that you are particularly interested in or have experience in, such as adult nursing, mental health nursing, or paediatric nursing.

– Highlight any relevant skills and qualities, such as empathy, resilience, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

– Reflect on any personal qualities or experiences that have prepared you for a career in nursing, such as being a good listener, working well under pressure, or being able to adapt to changing situations.

– Conclude by summarising your commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of patients and your enthusiasm for embarking on a nursing career.

Example of Band 6 Personal Statement:

A Band 6 person statement may differ from other bands as it represents a higher level of experience, expertise, and responsibility. As a Band 6 Registered nurse, you are expected to demonstrate advanced clinical skills, leadership abilities, and the capacity to work autonomously.

Additionally, showcasing your ability to adapt to changing healthcare environments and your dedication to delivering person-centred care will set you apart as a strong candidate for a Band 6 nursing role.

Band 6 Personal Statement Example 1:

”As a dedicated and compassionate nurse, I am excited to apply for the Band 6 position in your hospital. With several years of experience working in various healthcare settings, I have developed a deep understanding of patient care and a passion for delivering high-quality services.

My clinical expertise extends across different specialties, including medical-surgical, paediatric, and geriatric nursing. I pride myself on my ability to establish therapeutic relationships with patients and their families, providing empathetic and patient-centred care.

My goal is to contribute to the enhancement of healthcare delivery, advocate for patient rights, and promote evidence-based practice. I believe that my experience, skills, and passion make me a strong candidate for the Band 6 role, and I am eager to contribute to the team and make a positive difference in the lives of patients”

Band 6 Personal Statement Example 2:

”As an experienced nurse with a strong passion for patient care since a young age, I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to join the your team. With a solid foundation in various healthcare settings, I possess the skills and knowledge necessary to provide compassionate and evidence-based care.

My commitment to continuous professional development ensures that I stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in nursing practice. I thrive in collaborative environments and am dedicated to working alongside interdisciplinary teams to achieve optimal patient outcomes.

With a patient-centred approach and a focus on delivering high-quality care, I am confident in my ability to make a positive impact as a Band 6 nurse.”

Adult Nursing Personal Statement Example:

Your adult nursing personal statement should highlight your knowledge and skills related to adult care. Additionally, showcasing your understanding of the unique challenges and needs of adult patients.

Your personal statement should also highlight your commitment to continuing professional development and your dedication to staying updated with evidence-based practices in adult nursing.

Adult Nursing Personal Statement Example 1:

”I have always been passionate about providing high-quality care to individuals during their most vulnerable moments. As an aspiring adult nurse in the UK, I am dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of adult patients and their families in your nursing home.

I possess excellent communication skills, enabling me to establish trusting relationships with patients and effectively collaborate with interdisciplinary teams. My empathetic nature and ability to remain calm under pressure allow me to provide compassionate support to patients facing challenging health conditions.

With a commitment to lifelong learning and a desire to continuously enhance my skills, I am eager to embark on the next step of my career as an adult nurse, contributing to the well-being of individuals in need.”

Adult Nursing Example 2:

”I am a dedicated and compassionate nurse and particularly a nurse for elderly patients. Through my experience as a healthcare assistant, I have developed essential skills in administering medications, providing personal care, and supporting patients with diverse needs.

I possess excellent communication and teamwork abilities, which enable me to establish rapport with patients and collaborate effectively with healthcare professionals. With a focus on delivering patient-centred care, I am committed to upholding the highest standards of nursing practice.

I am excited to embark on the next chapter of my career as an adult nurse in your nursing home and make a positive impact on the lives of individuals in need.”

Example of Band 5 Personal Statement:

Band 5 personal statement example 1:.

”As an enthusiastic and dedicated nurse, I am excited to start my career as a Band 5 nurse after completing my nursing degree. With extensive experience in various healthcare settings, including medical-surgical units and mental health facilities, I possess strong assessment and medication administration skills.

I excel in building rapport with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams, prioritising effective communication. Committed to lifelong learning, I stay updated with evidence-based practices to provide high-quality care.

With my passion for nursing and drive for continuous improvement, I am ready to make a positive impact as part of a healthcare team as that is where my own personal fulfilment lies.”

Band 5 Example 2:

”As a passionate and caring individual, I am thrilled to embark on my journey as a Band 5 nurse. With a solid foundation in nursing education and hands-on clinical experience, I have honed my skills.

I am adept at fostering therapeutic relationships with patients and their families, providing emotional support, and promoting their well-being. Collaborating effectively with healthcare teams is a priority for me, as I believe in the power of multidisciplinary care to achieve optimal patient outcomes.

Through ongoing professional development and a commitment to evidence-based practice, I strive to deliver compassionate and patient-centred care. With a strong work ethic and a genuine passion for nursing, I am eager to contribute to the healthcare profession.”

Example of Band 7 Personal Statement:

Band 7 personal statement example 1:.

”As an experienced Band 7 nurse, I am dedicated to delivering exceptional patient care, leading quality improvement initiatives, and mentoring junior staff.

With advanced clinical expertise and a commitment to ongoing professional development, I strive to enhance patient outcomes through evidence-based practices. By fostering collaborative relationships and prioritising patient well-being, I create a supportive and innovative healthcare environment.

I am eager to utilise my skills and passion for nursing to make a positive impact.”

Band 7 Example 2:

”As a Band 7 nurse, I want to feel a high level of job satisfaction in a rewarding field of healthcare, I possess extensive clinical knowledge and leadership skills that enable me to deliver high-quality care and drive positive change in healthcare settings.

With a focus on evidence-based practice, I continuously seek opportunities for professional development and stay abreast of advancements in nursing. Through effective communication, teamwork, and a patient-centred approach, I strive to provide personalised care and create a supportive environment for both patients and colleagues.

With a strong commitment to excellence and a passion for nursing, I am dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the field.”

Conclusion:

In conclusion, a nursing personal statement is a chance to showcase your skill sets, knowledge, and nursing experience that make you the best possible candidate for the profession. Emphasise your passion, commitment, and desire to provide the best possible care for patients.

Good luck in your journey towards becoming a great nurse!

Ready to find a Job and Enhance Your Nursing Career?

To find a job, you can browse our job board with hundreds of Nursing roles waiting for someone like you!

Registered Nurse – Nursing Home – Isle of Man £20p/h+

Healthcare assistant isle of man £24,965p/a+, band 5 nurse | hillingdon | £22.04 – £28.67p/h, band 5 nurse | cheshire | £19.06 – £35.52p/h, theatre nurse stockport £30p/h+, scrub nurse wigan £30p/h+, renal nurse oldham £40p/h+, registered mental health nurse salford £20p/h+, registered general nurse rochdale £30p/h+.

How to Become a Neonatal Nurse

• Career Overview
• Steps to Become
• Education Options
• Licensure and Certification

Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?

Neonatal nursing can be a rewarding profession for many reasons. These nurses provide care for some of the most vulnerable patients and families, have many opportunities for professional development, and work in a high-demand field with considerable job stability.

Let’s explore the steps to becoming a neonatal nurse . These healthcare professionals commonly work in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). This guide covers the education, licensure, and certification required to become a neonatal nurse.

We also explore salary and job outlook data, which are strong for this field. Read on to discover how to become a neonatal nurse.

How Long to Become 4-6 Years

Degree Required ADN or BSN

Certification CCRN & RN-NIC

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

What Is a Neonatal Nurse?

A neonatal nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who specializes in the care of newborn infants. These babies have health problems such as infections, complications from premature birth, and congenital heart defects, among others.

Neonatal nurses receive specialized training and certification. They work in neonatal areas that are typically divided into four levels .

Level I neonatal nurses care for healthy newborns. Also known as “well-baby care,” their work can include providing direct treatments, monitoring development, performing tests, and evaluating test results. They also prepare families for life after they leave the hospital.

Level II neonatal nurses can, in addition to Level I care, treat infants in special care nurseries, providing critical therapies like supplemental oxygen, IV therapy, and specialized feeding.

Level III neonatal nurses have the formal designation of “NICU nurse.” These nurses care for newborns with severe illnesses or complications. Infants sometimes require complex care, including mechanical ventilation and intricate surgery.

Finally, the Level IV NICU designation indicates the hospital has the capacity to provide surgical repair and maintains a full range of pediatric subspecialists. Nurses qualified to work in Level III nurseries can also work in Level IV NICUs.

Steps to Becoming a Neonatal Nurse

Aspiring neonatal nurses must first earn associate degrees in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degrees. Each candidate looking to become a NICU nurse must hold a valid RN license and fulfill all licensing requirements for the state where they intend to practice.

Most employers require certifications, including Neonatal Resuscitation , Basic Life Support , and, less commonly, Advanced Cardiac Life Support . Neonatal nurses may also pursue advanced degrees, including master of science in nursing (MSN) and doctor of nursing practice (DNP) programs. The MSN and DNP degrees both prepare nurses for certification as neonatal nurse practitioners .

Earn an ADN or BSN Degree From an Accredited Program

A neonatal nurse must earn an ADN or BSN from an accredited program to qualify for RN licensure in their state. An ADN program generally takes two years to complete, while BSNs take about four years.

Because many employers prefer BSN-trained nurses, many ADN-level nurses enroll in RN-to-BSN programs . People with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees can seek accelerated BSNs in as few as 18 months.

Pass the NCLEX to Receive RN Licensure

Each state board of nursing uses the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to validate nursing knowledge and the ability to practice safely. Candidates can take the NCLEX-RN about one month after graduating from accredited ADN and BSN programs.

Gain Neonatal Nursing Experience

New RNs can gain experience by starting in areas where they learn foundational nursing skills in pediatrics and infant care. They can also pursue certifications in neonatal resuscitation or life support. Level I nurseries can provide experience and allow them to move to more acute-care settings.

Consider Becoming a Certified Neonatal Nurse

Eligibility requirements for board certification typically include a combination of clinical experience and education. Two organizations offer certification programs for nurses who want to work with infants in a Level III or Level IV nursery — the National Certification Corporation (NCC) and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACCN). The NCC offers the low-risk neonatal intensive care nursing credential for nurses working in Level II nurseries.

Neonatal Nurse Education

There is more than one educational path into neonatal nursing. For example, nurses can begin by earning ADN or BSNs. Neonatal nurses can also pursue graduate degrees, including MSNs and DNPs.

An ADN is the minimum nursing degree needed to become a neonatal nurse. This degree suits candidates looking for quick entry into the field and opportunities for practical experience. Many employers prefer BSN-prepared nurses, and some states are making it an entry-level degree. Most employers offer encouragement and support for ADN-prepared nurses to complete BSNs.

• Common Admission Requirements: High school diploma or GED certificate, official transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, letters of recommendation, minimum 2.0 GPA, personal essay
• Program Curriculum: Anatomy, physiology, nursing concepts, introduction to psychology, and introduction to sociology
• Time to Complete: Two years
• Skills Learned: Patient assessment, medication administration, communication, patient education, collaboration, and cultural competence

A BSN degree is ideal for candidates who aim to advance their nursing careers. Most employers want BSN-prepared nurses, as they have a comprehensive education and a deeper understanding of nursing theory, research, and community health. The best BSN programs develop critical thinking skills, provide broader career opportunities, and qualify you for admittance to graduate degrees.

• Common Admission Requirements: High school diploma or GED certificate, minimum GPA 2.5, recommendation letters, essay, prerequisite courses including microbiology, anatomy, physiology, and chemistry
• Program Curriculum: Leadership; pharmacology; pathophysiology; research; statistics; nursing concepts in pediatrics, adults, and geriatrics
• Time to Complete: Four years
• Skills Learned: Critical thinking, leadership, health promotion, community health, ethics, and evidence-based practice

It is not necessary to earn an MSN degree to become a neonatal nurse, but this degree level enables nurses to practice as neonatal nurse practitioners. Nurses who want to advance their careers, increase their salary potential, and work as advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) can pursue MSNs. An MSN is the minimum degree needed to become an APRN.

• Common Admission Requirements: ADN or a BSN, RN license, minimum 3.0 GPA, letters of recommendation, personal statement, professional experience
• Program Curriculum: Biostatistics for evidence-based practice, advanced anatomy and physiology, clinical reasoning, advanced health assessment, pharmacology, and clinical management
• Time to Complete: 12-22 months
• Skills Learned: Critical thinking, advanced clinical assessment skills, confidence, collaboration, patient advocacy

A DNP degree is ideal for experienced nurses seeking the highest level of clinical expertise and leadership in healthcare. A DNP is the terminal degree in nursing and allows nurses to work in advanced careers as nurse educators , APRNs, healthcare policymakers, and healthcare administrators . Nurses receive in-depth training in evidence-based practice, leadership, and quality improvement. The degree prepares graduates to address complex healthcare challenges and drive innovation in patient care.

• Common Admission Requirements: Master’s degree, valid nursing license, minimum 3.0 GPA, professional experience, letters of recommendation, interview, personal statement
• Program Curriculum: Health informatics, leadership and management, healthcare policy, evidence-based practice, population health
• Skills Learned: Analyzing and interpreting clinical outcomes, managing healthcare teams, conflict resolution, healthcare business, mentoring nurses

Neonatal Nurse Licensure and Certification

Neonatology is one of the most specialized fields in nursing. Nurses must have advanced skills to assess and treat conditions specific to some of the most vulnerable patients. Neonatal nurses must have the skills to care for newborns with infections, congenital disorders, complications from premature birth, and low birth weight.

All neonatal nurses must hold valid RN licenses to practice. They also need to complete continuing education and practice hours to renew their licenses as stipulated by state nursing board requirements.

Neonatal nurse certification can advance nurses’ careers, validate their specialized knowledge, and demonstrate a higher level of clinical competence. Employers may require neonatal nurses to hold certifications to work in NICUs, emergency rooms, and neonatal specialty units. Some states require neonatal NPs to hold certification to get licensure.

Two organizations administer neonatal certifications. The NCC certification requires an active RN license, at least 24 months of RN experience, and a passing score on the qualifying exam. Learn more about earning an RNC-NIC certification .

The AACCN offers certifications for RNs and APRNs, including the critical care RN neonatal specialty certification for nurses who provide direct care to neonatal patients with acute or chronic conditions. This credential requires each applicant to complete 1,750-2,000 hours in direct care and pass the certification exam.

Neonatal Nurse: Salary and Job Outlook

After graduating, nurses can seek positions in the field by building connections within professional organizations and clinical placements. Nurses should use career resources offered by their educational institutions, stay on top of job openings in healthcare facilities, and seek professional networking opportunities.

It’s important to keep your resume up-to-date and be well-prepared for interviews. Neonatal nurses can find employment in hospital neonatal intensive care units (NICU), labor and delivery, outpatient clinics, and home health care. These work settings offer unique opportunities for neonatal nurses to make a difference in the lives of newborns and their families.

According to ZipRecruiter , as of 2024, neonatal nurses earned an average salary of $128,211. Several factors affect compensation level , including education and experience level, certifications attained, employment setting, and location.

Neonatal nurses working in urban areas will likely earn more than nurses in rural communities. As with most RN and APRN roles, new neonatal nurses can anticipate a promising job landscape. The increased focus on preventive care for at-risk births and the expansion of neonatal intensive care units throughout the country have increased the demand for these specialized nurses.

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Neonatal Nurse

How many years does it take to become a neonatal nurse.

The fastest way to get a job as a neonatal nurse is to earn a two-year ADN degree and gain experience in pediatrics and well-baby care. For example, some nurses may be hired for labor and delivery, where they can develop experience working with newborns.

Is a neonatal nurse the same as a NICU nurse?

In a nutshell, all NICU nurses are neonatal nurses, but not all neonatal nurses work in the NICU. Neonatal nurses work with healthy and sick infants and NICU nurses work specifically with newborns who have more severe health challenges.

What is the quickest way to become a neonatal nurse?

The quickest way to become a nurse is a two-year ADN degree. Since many employers want BSN-trained nurses, it can be advantageous to complete an RN-to-BSN or even RN-to-MSN program , which opens doors to increased salary potential and advanced employment opportunities.

How hard is it to become a neonatal nurse?

The degree of difficulty depends on your math and science skills. Many people find a nursing education challenging but very rewarding. A nursing program takes dedication, time, and effort, but many individuals complete nursing programs each year.

Do neonatal nurses get paid well?

According to ZipRecruiter data , neonatal nurses earn an average salary of $128,211, which is substantially higher than the national average for nurses and workers in general. However, individual salaries depend on many factors, including experience, education, and geographic location.

Related Pages

Ask a Nurse: What Steps Do I Take to Become a NICU Nurse?

Neonatal intensive care unit nurses have a challenging and rewarding career. Learn what it takes to be successful in this nursing specialty.

Meet a Neonatal Nurse

Have you ever wondered how to become a neonatal nurse? This resource offers first-hand information about neonatal nurse schooling and licensure from a neonatal nurse.

How Nurses Can Address Disparities in Infant Mortality

Explore the social and racial disparities that exist with infant mortality rates and ways in which nurses can help combat those disparities.

Are You Ready to Earn Your Online Nursing Degree?

Whether you’re looking to get your pre-licensure degree or taking the next step in your career, the education you need could be more affordable than you think. Find the right nursing program for you.

Neonatal Nurse Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

• Resume Examples
• Resume Text Examples

How To Write a Neonatal Nurse Resume

• Entry-Level
• Senior-Level

Neonatal Nurse Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Sarah Johnson 123 Bedford Avenue, New York, NY 12345 | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected]

Neonatal Nurse with strong recent newborn intensive care experience at a major hospital. Provide attentive, quality care to sick newborns while working closely with physicians and other healthcare team members. Adapt readily to new work challenges and conditions. Member of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN).

Professional Experience

Neonatal Nurse, RNM Hospital , New York, NY | October 2021 to Present

• Praised for high dedication and attentiveness providing care to sick newborns in hospital’s NICU
• Collaborate on a 15-member nurse team caring for sick term and preterm infants and newborns with surgical diagnoses
• Demonstrate calm and competence balancing various tasks in a high-risk healthcare setting

Education & Credential

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) University of Syracuse, Syracuse, NY

Certified Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

Affiliation

Member National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN)

• Intravenous Therapy, including Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
• Parent Education & Communications
• Patient Monitoring & Assessment
• Respiratory Care, including High-Frequency Ventilation
• Task Prioritization
• Team Collaboration

Kevin Morrison 123 Carpenter Street, Philadelphia, PA 12345 | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected]

Neonatal Nurse with 4+ years of experience. Demonstrate strong collaboration with nursing teams, providers, and other healthcare staff. Focused on providing optimal care for sick newborns and maintaining active parent and family communications. Committed to continually gaining and applying new nursing care skills and knowledge. Member of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN). Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish.

WNP Hospital, Philadelphia, PA | July 2016 to Present

Neonatal Nurse (September 2018 to Present)  

• Member of 12-person nursing team at hospital’s Level II newborn special care unit
• Closely monitor and assess newborns’ health status, and communicate key changes to the physician
• Provide various forms of newborn care such as nasal cannula, gavage feeding, and intravenous therapy
• Member of resuscitation team attending high-risk deliveries

Medical-Surgical Nurse (July 2016 to August 2018)

• Gained strong early experience in patient care and nursing team collaboration in an acute-care facility

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

Fluency in Spanish | Basic proficiency in Italian

• Convalescent Newborn Care
• CPAP & Hood Oxygen Therapy
• Patient Admission & Stabilization

Selena Ramirez 123 Bridge Street, Boston, MA 12345 | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected]

Neonatal Nurse with 6+ years of intensive care experience at a major hospital. Strong knowledge of high-frequency ventilation, total parenteral nutrition, and neonatal transport. Recent demonstrated success in a training and mentor role for new nurses. Member of both the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric & Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN).

RBW Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit , Boston, MA | August 2016 to Present

Charge Nurse (September 2021 to Present)

• Coordinate patient admissions, assignments, and discharges
• Evaluate assignments of all ICU nurses to ensure consistently high standards of medical care
• Promote active communication and productive collaboration among staff

Clinical Nurse (August 2016 to Present)

• Maintain active communications with parents and other family members, putting complex health topics in clear terms
• Provide parents with detailed education on proper newborn care, breastfeeding, and monitoring for illness
• Member of neonatal transport service; collaborate on team to transport newborns into the facility and perform initial stabilization
• Recently recognized for strong leadership while orienting, training, and mentoring new nurses

Education & Credentials 

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Boston College, Boston, MA  

Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing Certification National Certification Corporation (NCC)

Memberships

Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric & Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN)

Key Clinical Skills

• Neonatal Transport
• Newborn Monitoring & Assessment

Key Team Skills

• New Nurse Orientation
• Training & Mentoring

A neonatal nurse resume needs to show you have the clinical training and experience to deliver quality care to the hospital’s tiniest patients. It should focus on your ability to handle high-stress situations and work as part of a larger care team. Learn how to put all these things together into one dynamic resume in this guide.

1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your neonatal nurse qualifications

The profile section of your resume should be a short summary of just three to four sentences. Detail how much experience you have, specific areas of expertise, and any advanced training or certifications. List any organizations you’re a member of as well, such as the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN).

Look through the job description to find out what’s most important to the hiring manager and hit these points — even if it’s at a high level. This is likely to include things like neonatal transport, parenteral nutrition, and resuscitation training. The goal is to have the hiring manager excited about you as a candidate before they move on to the rest of your resume.

Profile Example #1

Profile example #2, 2. add a compelling section featuring your neonatal nurse experience.

The professional experience section is where you provide more details about what you’ve done in previous roles and how your accomplishments have made a difference in patient care. Choose duties and responsibilities to highlight that line up with the responsibilities of the new role, and be as specific as possible.

There should be a good mix of clinical duties, professional collaboration, and interaction with patients’ families. It’s just as important to talk about your role in parent education as it is to discuss your contributions to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Professional Experience Example #1

Professional experience example #2, 3. outline your education and neonatal nurse-related certifications.

Neonatal nursing is a specialized position that requires a great deal of clinical training. Hiring managers are likely to be looking for candidates with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at a minimum.

Advanced certifications play an important role in highlighting your interest and continued education in neonatal care after nursing school. High-value certifications in this field include Neonatal Resuscitation, Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing, and Neonatal Pediatric Transport. Include the date you earned the certification and the date it expires, if applicable.

• [Degree Name]
• [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Boston College, Boston, MA | 2018

Certifications

• [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), 2019

4. List key neonatal nurse skills and proficiencies

A key part of your resume is showing the hiring manager you have the clinical skills to deliver high-quality patient care. Adding a bulleted list of these skills on your resume ensures you can include everything important to the position without taking up valuable space in your work history bullets.

We’ve included some of the most common required skills for neonatal nurses below. However, it’s still important to check the job description for what’s important to individual hiring managers and hospitals. As you build your resume, carefully review each job posting for specific keywords and skills.

How To Pick the Best Neonatal Nurse Resume Template

The overall organization and format of your resume is the first thing a hiring manager sees, and it should make a good impression. Narrow down your choices to templates that are professional, black and white, and clearly organized with headers. Stay away from anything too creative, as it’s not a good match for the health care industry.

Pick a template that has space for all the sections you want to include. Make sure it’s compatible with multiple formats like Microsoft Word and Adobe Reader for versatility.

Frequently Asked Questions: Neonatal Nurse Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for neonatal nurse resumes -.

Precision in word choice is important for neonatal nurses — in their jobs and on their resumes. Using specific action verbs creates a more engaging resume and helps a hiring manager picture you in the role. It can also help you focus on certain skills and duties important to the position.

For example, if the hiring manager lists “patient evaluations,” “completing documentation,” and “working with other team members,” verbs like “evaluated,” “documented,” and “collaborated” are good options. Here are some common action verbs to help jump-start your resume:

How do you align your resume with a job description? -

Jobs for registered nurses (RNs) are expected to grow at a rate of 6% through 2032, which is faster than average. Specializations, such as neonatal nursing, may be in even greater demand. It may be tempting to send out the same resume for every position. But taking a few extra minutes before submitting to align it with the job description can increase your chances of getting an interview.

Look through the job description and identify the skills or qualifications that are a high priority for the hiring manager. Use as many of these in your resume as you can. For example, a resume for a job in the NICU should include your experience with 24-hour ventilation and CPAP machines.

What is the best neonatal nurse resume format? -

Neonatal nurses need to show a combination of their clinical skills and job experience on their resumes. The combination resume style is a great choice to do just that.

This format splits the space of your resume roughly equally between your practical skills and your work history. It also still has sections for your education, certifications, and profile. If you have an extensive work history, focus on positions held in just the past five to 10 years or nursing jobs that involved neonatal care or the ICU.

Craft your perfect resume in minutes

Get 2x more interviews with Resume Builder. Access Pro Plan features for a limited time!

Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

Check Out Related Examples

Labor and Delivery Nurse Resume Examples and Templates

Pediatric Nurse Resume Examples and Templates

Registered Nurse Resume Examples and Templates

Build a Resume to Enhance Your Career

• How Many Jobs Should You List on a Resume? Learn More
• How To Include Licenses and Certifications on Your Resume Learn More
• How To Show That You Are Detailed-Oriented on Your Resume Learn More

Essential Guides for Your Job Search

• How to Write a Resume Learn More
• How to Write a Cover Letter Learn More
• Thank You Note Examples Learn More
• Resignation Letter Examples Learn More

How to Become a Neonatal (NICU) Nurse

What is a nicu nurse.

• Career Outlook

How to Become a NICU Nurse

• Neonatal Nurse vs Nurse Practitioner

Neonatal Nurse Jobs

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nursing is a specialty of nursing that deals with the care of sick or premature babies and babies with birth defects. NICU nurses are registered nurses who have gained experience working with neonatal patients and potentially also become certified in an area related to this. You can have either an ADN or a BSN to work as a neonatal nurse.

It takes a special person to become a nurse, but that's even more true for those who go on to become Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurses. These dedicated professionals care for the most fragile patients: sick and premature newborns. In addition, they are on the front lines when it comes to helping scared parents through what is often a traumatic experience. 

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Enrollment: Nationwide

As a working RN, you need a flexible, transfer-friendly program to help you save time and money as you take the next step in your nursing career. In our CCNE-accredited4 RN to BSN program, you can transfer in up to 134 credits—which is nearly 75% of program requirements. Your transfer credits can be reviewed in one business day (on average).

Enrollment: FL

WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.

• RN to BSN - Global Studies

There are many specialty nursing careers , some of which deal with a particular type of patient. That is the case for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses. Their primary patients are sick and/or premature babies or babies with various forms of birth defects. These patients need to be cared for and monitored, sometimes for weeks or months, until they are hopefully healthy and developed enough to go home.

What I Love About Being a NICU Nurse "As a NICU Nurse, I have always had a deep awareness of how my actions deeply touch the experiences of mothers in a very vulnerable time of their lives. I strive every day to be a light of trust, knowledge, and hope to mothers with babies in intensive care."

According to the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN), approximately 40,000 low-birth-weight infants are born each year in the United States. Thanks to advances in medicine, highly skilled NICU nurses, and other healthcare professionals, survival rates are improving. In fact, the survival rate is now 10 times better than it was 15 years ago. 

>> Show Me Neonatal Nursing Programs

What Does a Neonatal Nurse Do?

NICU stands for neonatal intensive care unit, and the patients nurses care for in the NICU are often in acute or critical condition. So, in addition to hands-on patient care, monitoring, and feeding the babies, NICU nurses also work intimately with moms and dads who are going through this emotional experience with their newborns. Neonatal nurses provide comfort and education to help families get through this trying time.

According to NANN, NICU nursing generally involves care for newly-born infants in crisis. It also encompasses neonates who suffer from long-term problems related to being born early or from some severe illness encountered soon after birth. Some NICU nurses may even care for babies up to about 2 years of age.

However, NICU nurses' responsibilities reach beyond their infant patients. They also care for the entire family unit. Neonatal nurses act as a shoulder to cry for distraught parents, assist new mothers with breastfeeding, and provide lasting memories to new parents. 

Day in the Life of a NICU Nurse

A day in the life of a NICU nurse is demanding and can range from basic newborn care to monitoring seriously ill patients. NICU units operate 24/7, so most neonatal nurses work 12-hour shifts, which include some nights and weekends. Most large private and public hospitals have a NICU, while smaller facilities or medical centers may not have a full department or any at all.

A neonatal nurse will, at times, have more “downtime” than a typical bedside nurse. Because sleep and rest are so important to growth in the neonatal population, a NICU nurse will generally provide hands-on care to patients every three to four hours and monitor in between.

NICU nurses will monitor the vital signs of the more seriously ill or premature infants day and night to make sure they are breathing and developing properly. They also administer medications, record the newborn’s progress and recovery, change diapers, and calm babies in distress.

NICU Levels of Care

There are four levels of NICU nursing care that may impact a neonatal nurse's daily duties. Working in a neonatal intensive care unit is considered level three, while level one is for healthy infants and level two is for less serious neonatal cases. Here's a breakdown of the different levels of neonatal care:

• Level I: Basic newborn care
• Level II: More advanced newborn care 
• Level III: Neonatal ICU (Where most NICU nurses will work)
• Level IV: This is the most intense level of newborn care for babies born with serious birth defects. Usually found at children's hospitals, university hospitals, or destination centers.

How Many Patients Does a Neonatal Nurse Work With?

Depending on the status of the patients and how many babies are born in a given period of time, a NICU nurse may work with just a few infants at a time. If there are serious medical issues, the more experienced NICU nurses in a team might focus on just one or two cases.

NICU Nurse Required Skills

It takes a specialized set of skills–beyond just medical ones–to work in the NICU. Neonatal intensive care units are fast-paced, stressful, and emotional, especially when working with family members.

In general, having strong communication skills and a calm, empathetic demeanor are paramount. In addition, because the patients are so tiny and even the smallest error can be life-threatening, precise attention to detail cannot be understated.

Neonatal Nurse Scope of Practice

Like other RNs, NICU nurses work under a scope of practice, a set of state laws that define your rights and responsibilities as a nurse and authorize you on how to function when providing various aspects of medical care.

You can find your state’s Nurse Practice Act via the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. 

This content used under license from "Ask Nurse Alice."

Neonatal Nurse Salary

A reliable way to estimate nursing salaries is to use the RN salary as a baseline and understand that specialty nursing roles will have slightly higher compensation. Though that isn't true for every specialty, NICU nursing does conform to this rule of thumb. Due to the complexity and acuity of neonatal nursing patients, NICU nurses tend to earn more than bedside RNs and even other nursing specialties.

The baseline RN salary in the US is $81,220 per year or $39.05 per hour, per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics . In comparison, ZipRecruiter reports the average NICU nurse salary as $136,592 per year or $66 per hour as of July 2023.

But location may also increase or decrease salary expectations. For example, New York neonatal nurses make an average of $163,945 annually, while those in Ohio make $127,140 ( ZipRecruiter ). 

The highest paying states for NICU nurses, according to ZipRecruiter, are:

It’s fair to say that NICU nurses–and in all areas of nursing–salary is commensurate with experience, and large cities and well-known medical institutions will pay higher salaries.

Opportunities for overtime, bonuses, and other financial perks will also vary by employer. However, in most cases, when working for a hospital or medical facility, neonatal nurses receive a generous benefits package to go along with their salary.

What Is the Career Outlook for Neonatal Nurses?

The job outlook for nursing professionals of all types is expected to be strong. As reported in The Atlantic, about one million registered nurses (RNs) working today (about a third of the workforce) are over the age of 50. Nearly 700,000 nurses are projected to retire or leave the labor force by 2024. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the healthcare sector has lost nearly half a million workers since February 2020. While the number doesn’t specifically identify the number of nurses that have left - an overwhelming number are bedside nurses.

As they begin retiring over the next decade, new RNs will be in demand to fill those roles; in fact, there are expected to be 1.2 million vacancies between 2014 and 2022. As such, the BLS projects that the employment of registered nurses should grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032. Making a nursing career an excellent choice. 

For NICU nurses specifically, that demand may even be slightly greater. Anytime specialized credentials and skills are involved, it can be more challenging to keep the talent pipeline full. In other words, RNs who become neonatal nurses are equipped with a skill set that will be in demand for years to come.

Why I Became a NICU Nurse "For the longest time, I had a weird interest in the works of the human reproductive system. I wanted to understand it and help myself and other women thrive, specifically during the reproductive period."

Before you can begin working as a NICU nurse, you must meet certain neonatal nurse requirements. These include earning your RN licensure and gaining relevant experience. The steps you can take to become a NICU nurse are as follows:

1. Become an RN

To become an RN, you must first attend an accredited nursing program to earn an ADN or BSN degree. Then, you will sit the NCLEX-RN exam and, upon passing, apply for RN licensure with your State Nursing Board.

2. Gain Experience

You cannot begin working as a NICU nurse without gaining relevant clinical experience. So, you must work for two or more years with neonatal patients before applying to take a certification exam for NICU nursing. Some relevant nursing units you can work in to earn this experience include:

• Pediatric Nursing
• Maternal-Child Nursing
• Well Baby Nursing
• Labor and Delivery Nursing

3. Take a Certification Exam

Although you don't necessarily need a neonatal nursing certification to work in a NICU, earning one will help with career advancement and qualify you for higher-level positions.

There are several certifications available to NICU nurses. These include:

Top Neonatal Nurse Programs

Methodology

We ranked the top NICU nursing programs based on several factors, including:

• NCLEX pass rate
• Acceptance rate, when available
• Only ACEN or CCNE-accredited schools are eligible

Nurse Panel

Our selection panel is made up of 3 Registered Nurses with years of experience and multiple degrees:

• Tracy Everhart, MSN, RN, CNS
• Tyler Faust, MSN, RN
• Kathleen Gaines, MSN, BSN, RN, BA, CBC

There are numerous registered nursing programs, and our panel of nurses ranked them based on factors mentioned in the methodology. Because individual nursing pathways and careers take various forms, the top 10 neonatal NICU nurse programs are ranked in no particular order. 

1. University of Massachusetts Boston

Annual In-State Tuition: $14,905 | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $36,581

Program Length: 4 years

The University of Massachusetts Boston, located on the water right next to the John F. Kennedy Library and Presidential Museum, offers a prime combination of excellent location and low cost for MA residents. The BSN program takes 2.5-4 years to complete (depending on whether students select direct entry or transfer in), and students get to enjoy clinicals at excellent locations across the area, including the renowned Boston Children's Hospital. This could help students gain early NICU exposure, preparing them for their future careers. Also, all NE region residents receive a discounted tuition rate, so students in the area should consider this program.

2. University of Pennsylvania

Annual Tuition: $58,620

A private, Ivy League school located in Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania might have the best all-around nursing school in the nation. Students who enroll in the BSN learn important nursing skills with an emphasis placed on cultural awareness and community involvement.

Those planning on becoming NICU nurses could benefit from the great clinical locations, including the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the nation's first-ever hospital devoted entirely to children. The cost of this private school is steep, but BSN students would have a hard time finding a better program. 

3. University of Washington

Quarterly In-State Tuition: $4,215 | Quarterly Out-of-State Tuition: $13,999

Located in Seattle, the University of Washington is one of the best schools in the state. Perhaps best known for its research degrees, UW still boasts an excellent BSN program that sees students complete over 1,000 clinical hours at sites across the region.

Aspiring neonatal nurses could get placed at Seattle Children's Hospital, one of the best children's hospitals in the West. Over 98% of nurses in the program graduate, and UW boasts an above-average NCEX pass rate for first-time test-takers. 

4. University of Colorado Denver

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $472-$588 | Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,019

With its main campus located in downtown Denver, the University of Colorado Denver is the state's only public, urban research institution. However, students enrolled in the BSN will attend courses at CU Denver's nearby campus in Aurora.

Students can choose from various BSN routes, though most students choose the traditional BSN, a two-year program that accepts students who completed two years of prerequisite courses. The program uses a cohort system, so nursing students work closely with one another. Also, the university might place students in clinicals at Children's Hospital Colorado, a top-ranked children's hospital. 

5. Georgetown University*

Tuition: $32,448 Per Semester, Full-Time | $2,704 Per Credit, Part-Time

Georgetown University* , located in Washington, D.C., is one of the nation's top research universities. The university also happens to be private, meaning students don't get access to discounted tuition rates.

While costly, nursing students do get to earn one of the best BSN degrees in the nation. The BSN allows for direct entry, and students begin clinicals during their first year. By the end of the program, students will have earned over 850 clinical hours at excellent sites in the area, including Children's National Hospital. Graduates of the program end up in a variety of positions, including neonatal nursing. 

6. Xavier University

Tuition: $23,948 Per Semester

A Jesuit university located in Cincinnati, Xavier University is a mid-sized school with just 4,500 undergraduate students. The small size might make the nursing school more exclusive, but Xavier's 98% of graduates find a healthcare role within six months of graduating.

Many graduates also end up working at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, a great place to earn NICU experience and one of Xavier's top clinical rotation sites. Xavier may have a high private school cost, but many students secure some form of financial aid. 

7. University of California Los Angeles

Annual In-State Tuition: $11,928 | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $42,954

Known for its great location and excellent sports, the University of California Los Angeles also has some of the top academic programs in the region, including its BSN. A great choice for anyone who wants to become a nurse in California, UCLA's BSN includes plenty of clinical experience and a clinically-based scholarly project at the end of students' fourth year.

UCLA nursing students enjoy clinicals at great sites, including Children's Hospital Los Angeles. The early exposure to working with children and UCLA's location could help graduates secure a NICU position in California. 

8. University of Pittsburgh

In-State Tuition: $8,412 Per Term | Out-of-State Tuition: $15,650 Per Term

Founded in 1787, the University of Pittsburgh now teaches nearly 23,500 undergraduate students. Pitt strives to give nursing students an all-around education, requiring courses through the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences as students also take nursing courses.

Students get clinical exposure during their first year through a skills lab, then get placed in rotations during their second year. Clinical sites include many of the best regional healthcare facilities, including Pitt's own UMPC Children's. Graduates could end up finding a position at UMPC Children's or other great spots in the area.

9. University of Houston

Annual In-State Tuition: $11,150 | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $23,110

With over 46,000 students, the University of Houston is one of the largest on this list. However, UH's size doesn't detract from the quality of its nursing program. BSN students earn over 900 hours of clinical experience through rotations and labs, and those interested in neonatal nursing could gain experience at Texas Children's Hospital.

Traditional nursing students complete the first two years of the BSN in Houston, followed by two years at the Katy instructional site. The university also offers one of the best accelerated BSN programs in Houston, Texas , which allows non-nurses with prior degrees an easier path to becoming NICU nurses.

10. The Ohio State University

Annual In-State Tuition: $12,859 | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $38,365

The Ohio State University, a top public university located in Columbus, enrolls over 68,000 students, making it the largest school on this list. Despite the university's large size, OSU's BSN program is highly competitive, particularly for Ohio residents looking to secure in-state tuition.

Graduates end up finding excellent careers, and gaining clinical experience at Columbus' Nationwide Children's Hospital could help prepare students for a career in NICU nursing. Overall, OSU offers relatively low tuition rates for a great education, making this a good pick for anyone looking to become a NICU nurse. 

What Are the Continuing Education Requirements for Neonatal Nurses?

NICU nurses do not innately have specific requirements beyond state-mandated continuing education. However, advanced certifications such as the CCRN and RNC-NIC do require specific CEUs.

All neonatal nurses are required to maintain an RN license regardless of advanced certification.

Continuing education requirements for the license differ for each state. Monetary fees and other state-specific criteria are also associated with all license and certification renewals.  

Examples of continuing education requirements for RNs are as follows: 

• California - 30 CEUs every two years
• Florida - 24 CEUs every two years
• Hawaii - 30 CEUs every two years
• Oklahoma - 24 CEUs every two years
• Pennsylvania - 30 CEUs every two years

 A comprehensive list can be found here .  

Certification CEU requirements are specific to the certification. It is important to check the certification body prior to the renewal date to ensure all requirements are being met. For example, the CCRN Neonatal requires the following for recertification:

• CERPs are a specific type of continuing education
• Clinical practice hours are required. Practice as an RN or APRN for 432 hours in the direct care of acutely/critically ill neonatal patients during the three-year certification renewal period, with 144 of those hours accrued in the 12-month period prior to the scheduled renewal date, is required.

What is the Difference Between a Neonatal Nurse and a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner?

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses and Neonatal Nurse Practitioners are similar roles, but the difference is in the education requirements and scope of practice. A Neonatal Nurse is a Registered Nurse that works in the NICU and works under the supervision of physicians and Neonatal Nurse Practitioners. Neonatal Nurse Practitioners have completed either a Master's or Doctorate level of education and become certified.

For more on what a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner is and what they do, check out our Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Career Guide . 

Where Can I Learn More About Neonatal Nursing?

To learn more about Neonatal and NICU nursing, take advantage of the resources provided and consider joining the following professional associations:

• Neonatal (NICU) Nurse Salary Guide
• Academy of Neonatal Nursing
• Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses
• Council of International Neonatal Nurses, Inc. 
• National Association of Neonatal Nurses

The more advanced your degrees and/or certifications are, the more likely you are to get the position you want as a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse. 

The best opportunities will be in large hospitals that have a full-fledged NICU department that provides both level II and level III care. 

NICU nurses play perhaps one of the most important roles in our healthcare system in that they are there when life begins and are often instrumental in helping high-risk newborns survive and thrive. They also act as a great source of comfort and information to the parents who spend those first few days or weeks as parents in the NICU.

For aspiring nurses who love the idea of working with infants to improve their health and get them home, NICU nursing is not only a high-demand specialization but also a fulfilling career choice. Check out NICU nurse jobs hiring now on our  job board . 

*Indicates an affiliate link. At no additional cost to you, Nurse.org may earn a commission if you click through and use this service.

Terri Heimann Oppenheimer is a freelance writer and editor who is driven by details. She loves to dive into research, ensuring that the information she provides educates, engages and illuminates. Before starting her own business she spent years working in advertising and raising three kids. Today she lives in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, where her she and her husband enjoy travel, the Jersey Shore, and spoiling their grandchildren.

Plus, get exclusive access to discounts for nurses, stay informed on the latest nurse news, and learn how to take the next steps in your career.

By clicking “Join Now”, you agree to receive email newsletters and special offers from Nurse.org. You may unsubscribe at any time by using the unsubscribe link, found at the bottom of every email.

• FindAMasters
• Nursing Masters Personal Statement Sample

Written by Sarah Hastings-Woodhouse

This is an example personal statement for a Masters degree application in Nursing. See our guide for advice on writing your own postgraduate personal statement .

As a qualified nurse with over three years’ professional experience, I was immediately drawn to your MSc in Advanced Nursing, as I believe it will not only enable me to enhance my own clinical practice, but also to acquire the skills necessary to improve patient care on a wider scale.

I graduated with my Bachelors in Adult Nursing in 2018, and quickly secured a role as a Practice Nurse at a GP surgery. I very much enjoyed delivering care in a community setting and developed a deep interest in the long-term management of chronic conditions.

This course’s optional module in diabetes prevention and care particularly sparked my interest – having witnessed the impact of diabetes on countless patients and their families, I would be especially eager to develop and understanding of how it can be better managed, both at level of individual practice in and in terms of wider health policy frameworks.

I believe that my willingness to meet the challenges posed by Covid-19 has demonstrated that I am well-placed to train for a more senior role in my field. Over the past two years, I have been keen to deploy my skills at the frontline of our battle against the virus. In April 2020, was among the first health professionals in my trust to staff the newly-constructed Nightingale Hospital at London’s ExCel centre, where I would later deliver vaccinations to hundreds of people in early 2021. That summer, I decided to join my local Rapid Response and Treatment Team, where I responded to urgent referrals for seriously ill care home residents and helped to create treatment plans that would prevent hospital admission.

Since 2020, then, I have demonstrated my versatility by working in primary, secondary and social care settings. I have an in-depth understanding of how various branches of the NHS interact, which I believe would be invaluable when studying Nursing at Masters level.

Working as a registered nurse throughout the coronavirus pandemic has solidified my resolve to advance in a field that showcases the best of human resilience and compassion. However, it has also made clear to me an ever-growing need for structural change within the healthcare sector. For this reason, I was particularly drawn to the opportunities within this course to develop my management and leadership skills. I believe this will equip me with the skills needed to instate positive change and improve patient care at both an organisation and regional level.

Find a Masters in Nursing

If you're interested in a studying Nursing, then why don't you check out our regularly updated catalogue of available Nursing Masters courses .

Our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice

You may also like....

Looking for the best universities for Nursing & Health in Canada? Compare ranking tables from top sources here, along with their methodologies.

Looking for the best universities for Nursing & Health in the USA? Compare ranking tables from top sources here, along with their methodologies.

Looking for the best universities for Nursing & Health in the UK? Compare ranking tables from top sources here, along with their methodologies.

Looking for the best universities for Nursing & Health in Ireland? Compare ranking tables from top sources here, along with their methodologies.

Looking for the best universities for Nursing & Health in Australia? Compare ranking tables from top sources here, along with their methodologies.

Looking for the best universities for Nursing & Health in France? Compare ranking tables from top sources here, along with their methodologies.

FindAMasters. Copyright 2005-2024 All rights reserved.

Unknown    ( change )

Have you got time to answer some quick questions about Masters study?

Select your nearest city

• Aberystwyth
• Beaconsfield
• Bishop Burton
• Bournemouth
• Bridlington
• Chatham Maritime
• Cirencester
• East Malling
• Hemel Hempstead
• High Wycombe
• Huddersfield
• Isle of Man
• Jordanstown
• London Central
• London East
• London South
• London West
• Londonderry
• Loughborough
• Middlesbrough
• Milton Keynes
• Musselburgh
• Northampton
• Potters Bar
• Saffron Waldon
• Scarborough
• Southampton
• St Leonards on Sea
• Stoke on Trent
• Wolverhampton

You haven’t completed your profile yet. To get the most out of FindAMasters, finish your profile and receive these benefits:

• Monthly chance to win one of ten £10 Amazon vouchers ; winners will be notified every month.*
• Access to our £6,000 scholarship competition
• Weekly newsletter with funding opportunities, application tips and much more
• Early access to our physical and virtual postgraduate study fairs

Or begin browsing FindAMasters.com

or begin browsing FindAMasters.com

*Offer only available for the duration of your active subscription, and subject to change. You MUST claim your prize within 72 hours, if not we will redraw.

Do you want hassle-free information and advice?

Create your FindAMasters account and sign up to our newsletter:

• Find out about funding opportunities and application tips
• Receive weekly advice, student stories and the latest Masters news
• Hear about our upcoming study fairs
• Save your favourite programmes, track enquiries and get personalised subject updates

Create your account

Looking to list your Masters programmes? Log in here .

Let us help you find a Masters

Never miss a course

Enter our ambassador competition

Get funding news, tips and advice

Hear about upcoming events

Sign up to our newsletter today

We've been helping students find the right postgraduate course for over a decade.

Login to your account

Enter your username below to login to your account.

Clearing Universities & Courses

Clearing Advice

Recommended Clearing Universities

Middlesex University

London (Greater) · 98% Recommended

University of Kent

South East England · 97% Recommended

University of Bedfordshire

East of England · 88% Recommended

Popular Course Categories

Take our quick degree quiz

Find the ideal uni course for you with our Course Degree Quiz. Get answers in minutes!

Take our full degree quiz

Get more tailored course suggestions with our full Course Degree Quiz and apply with confidence.

Search by Type

Search by Region

Recommended Universities

University of Roehampton

London (Greater) · 95% Recommended

University of Surrey

South East England · 98% Recommended

University of Suffolk

East of England · 96% Recommended

Search Open Days

What's new at Uni Compare

University of Bradford

#1 for UK City of Culture 2025, click here to learn more!

West London Institute of Technology

Get a high-quality technical degree from WLIoT and boost your career prospects!

Ranking Categories

Regional Rankings

More Rankings

Top 100 Universities

Taken from 131,500+ data points from students attending university to help future generations

About our Rankings

Discover university rankings devised from data collected from current students.

Guide Categories

Advice Categories

Recommended Articles

Popular Statement Examples

Statement Advice

What to include in a Personal Statement

Personal Statement Tips

PERSONAL STATEMENT EXAMPLE Children Nursing Personal Statement

Submitted by Sophie

Study a top 10 Nursing Degree in the UK (GUG, 2024).

Unlock your potential with Nursing at Roehampton! Benefit from exceptional facilities and learn from seasoned clinical and academic experts.

Fully-funded Nursing degrees at Swansea

Make a real difference with Nursing for adults, children, mental health or learning disabilities at Swansea. Study full-time, part-time or term-time with no fees to pay! Apply now!

Children Nursing Personal Statement

After a series of illnesses and injuries during my early childhood, I was introduced to the role and care of Nurses. It was from here I became fascinated and realised this could be a satisfying future outlet for my empathetic self. I feel that nurses are truly inspirational professionals. They provide an inestimable service to society whilst working in a highly demanding and very challenging career, assisting individuals and their families through difficult times when they are at their most vulnerable. I feel I am ready to embark on this career and start to fulfill this ambition of mine to become a children’s nurse.

I believe nursing is a career in which I will excel because of my compassion for those who are at their most vulnerable. My ability to empathise with individuals would provide a positive nurse and patient relationship, putting the child and family at ease, allowing the family to approach me for support and guidance and therefore meet specific needs of the child and their family. Self-confidence is something I consider to be highly important within a nursing career. Having self-belief when working under pressure and in stressful situations is crucial when ensuring high quality care is delivered. Nursing can be a stressful career where traumatic situations are common.

My previous studies have hugely influenced me to pursue this career. Having completed 4 work placements in primary schools, preschool nurseries and children centres, I have worked with children and families from all walks of life. During my first two placements at primary schools I assisted children ages four to five who need more support with their education within the classroom. I worked with children who had intellectual disabilities and therefore developed slower than other children it was extremely rewarding to see them succeed. Having studied children’s development within this placement has enchanced my own development of having the ability to provide a relationship based on trust; this being something I consider extremely important within the nursing career. I have dealt with challenging behaviour and have a clear understanding and respect of the needs and problems of each individual child. From this, I have been able to empower each individual child and their family to receive individualised care, which enables each child to reach their full potential.

Placements have hugely influenced me to become a child’s nurse because supporting children to do well and succeed has brought many rewards. To see their positive outlook and self-belief increase has filled me with delight and a sense of pride that I had helped children get to where they are now. My current placement is in a children’s centre for vulnerable children and families. This has also inspired me because my role of supporting families is something I hugely enjoyed and seeing parents bond with their children, with my help and support, is hugely rewarding. Supporting vulnerable parents to succeed in their parenting role requires teamwork and adaptation, I have always been a strong team member and taking leadership has always been a strength of mine, I feel I thrive within this environment.

Within my next placement, I will be working at the Megan Baker House, helping to provide conductive education to children with motor disorders, and help to offer independence to children with a wide variety of life changing disabilities, will open my eyes to the challenges both the individual child, but also the family, face on a daily basis. Being able to help and support each individual affected, through one to one work when each family is at their upmost vulnerable is something I feel will be extremely rewarding, and a dream of mine to continue and persue into the near future.

These experiences have given me a huge sense of satisfaction and reinforced my desire to become a children’s nurse.

Recommended Course

Recommended Statements

Submitted by anonymous

Mental Health Nursing Personal Statement

I am applying for a Mental Health ...

Child Nursing Personal Statement

Child Nursing requires respons...

Submitted by Ben

Nursing Personal Statement

I am interested in becoming an adult nurse because I want to feel a high level of job satisfaction in a re...

Submitted by Susan

Adult Nursing Personal Statement

My ambition is to study Adult Nursing in university. Since I was a young girl it has been my dream to help...

undergraduate Universities

Undergraduate uni's.

Uni of Roehampton

468 courses

Uni of Surrey

730 courses

Uni of Suffolk

221 courses

Bath Spa Uni

507 courses

Northeastern Uni

Uni of Leicester

480 courses

826 courses

Goldsmiths, UOL

504 courses

Uni of Bradford

381 courses

Middlesex Uni

648 courses

Uni of Hertfordshire

598 courses

Uni of Bedfordshire

649 courses

West London IoT

ARU Writtle

165 courses

Uni of Chester

621 courses

Uni of Sunderland

331 courses

Uni of East London

568 courses

880 courses

Coventry Uni

782 courses

Uni of Winchester

259 courses

467 courses

Uni for Creative Arts

605 courses

Leeds Beckett Uni

461 courses

Uni College Birmingham

184 courses

Staffordshire Uni

464 courses

Heriot-Watt Uni

337 courses

Uni of Westminster

645 courses

Queen's Uni

624 courses

Ravensbourne

103 courses

Cardiff Met Uni

500 courses

UWE, Bristol

490 courses

Nottingham Trent

939 courses

Uni of Reading

688 courses

Uni of Kent

587 courses

Highlands & Islands

502 courses

Wrexham Uni

286 courses

705 courses

Leeds Arts University

Escape Studios

Uni of Huddersfield

860 courses

Uni of C.Lancashire

793 courses

Uni of Portsmouth

788 courses

Uni of Essex

1361 courses

Uni of Hull

Kingston Uni

618 courses

Edge Hill Uni

396 courses

Uni of Brighton

514 courses

Anglia Ruskin Uni

864 courses

Swansea Uni

1640 courses

FIND THE IDEAL COURSE FOR YOU

Degree Course Quiz

Find the ideal university course for you in minutes by taking our degree matchmaker quiz today.

Latest in Clearing 2024

dBs Institute

Find your passion at dBs, perfectly equipped to foster your creativity!

Realise your potential at London's Best Modern University!

Bangor University

Places available through Clearing at Bangor, reserve your place today!

Anglia Ruskin University

ARU are in the top 10% in the country for graduates going into paid employment or further study!

• General Nursing
• Nursing Specialties
• Nursing Students
• United States Nursing
• World Nursing
• Boards of Nursing
• Breakroom / Clubs
• Nurse Q&A
• Student Q&A
• Fastest BSN
• Most Affordable BSN
• Fastest MSN
• Most Affordable MSN
• Best RN to BSN
• Fastest RN to BSN
• Most Affordable RN to BSN
• Best LPN/LVN
• Fastest LPN/LVN
• Most Affordable LPN/LVN
• Fastest DNP
• Most Affordable DNP
• Medical Assistant
• Best Online Medical Assistant
• Best Accelerated Medical Assistant
• Most Affordable Medical Assistant
• Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric NP
• Neonatal NP
• Oncology NP
• Acute Care NP
• Aesthetic NP
• Women's Health NP
• Adult-Gerontology NP
• Emergency NP
• Best RN to NP
• Psychiatric-Mental Health NP
• RN Specialties
• Best RN Jobs and Salaries
• Aesthetic Nurse
• Nursing Informatics
• Nurse Case Manager
• Forensic Nurse
• Labor and Delivery Nurse
• Psychiatric Nurse
• Pediatric Nurse
• Travel Nurse
• Telemetry Nurse
• Dermatology Nurse
• Best NP Jobs and Salaries
• Family NP (FNP)
• Orthopedic NP
• Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (PMHNP)
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Administrator
• Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
• Best Free Online NCLEX-RN Study Guide
• The Nursing Process
• Question Leveling
• NCLEX-RN Question Identification
• Expert NCLEX-RN Test-Taking Strategies
• Best Scrubs for Nurses
• Best Shoes for Nurses
• Best Stethoscopes for Nurses
• Best Gifts for Nurses
• Undergraduate
• How to Become an LPN/LVN
• How to Earn an ADN
• Differences Between ADN, ASN, AAS
• How to Earn a BSN
• Best MSN Concentrations
• Is an MSN Worth It?
• How to Earn a DNP
• MSN vs. DNP

help needed with neonatal personal statement

Nursing Students General Students

Published Jan 21, 2009

alwayshappy41

hi everyone im due to qualify in april 2009, and i am wanting to apply for a job as a neonatal intensive care nurse. however, i am adult trained and was just wondering if any of you out there had any tips for me as to what to put in my personal statement. i have been to look around the unit and i feel that its the place where i belong. sooooooo pleeeas help meeeeeeeeee :heartbeat:heartbeat:redpinkhe

• + Add a Comment

You could look around in the NICU forum, there are threads where prospective applicants have asked for advice. I got hired into the NICU straight from school and in my cover letter and interview, I emphasized that I liked the NICU because of the total care, ability to become an expert in a specialized area, and getting to provide lots of education and support for the family. Be sincere and let your passion shine through, but make sure you express realistic expectations too. I would advise against gushing about how you just love babies and want to hold them and care for them all day. I mostly work in the level III unit where we cluster care and promote minimal stimulation, so I may go 3 weeks without actually holding a baby.

Good luck, I love working in the NICU :)

Position and Consensus Statements and APRN Publications

As the professional voice of neonatal nursing, the National Association of Neonatal Nurses is looked to as a resource on substantive issues that affect neonatal patients, their families, and the neonatal nurses and APRNs who care for them. Each statement discusses the background and significance of the topic and offers succinct recommendations and conclusions, along with references from the scholarly literature. Each statement is carefully reviewed and updated at established intervals. NANN offers additional content relevant to advanced practice registered nurses, such as executive summaries and standards.

Position and Consensus Statements

• Trauma-Informed Care in the NICU (October 2022)

As the professional voice of neonatal nurses, NANN recommends that all clinicians serving babies and families in crisis embrace and operationalize a trauma-informed approach to care in the NICU and beyond.

• RN Staffing in the NICU (September 2021)

The National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) recommends staffing be based on the acuity of the population served and that the principles of staffing and finance be shared with frontline nurses who then have a say in the development of staffing policies. Download the RN Staffing in the NICU infographic.

• Medication Safety in the NICU (June 2021)

The National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) recommends a comprehensive approach to medication safety in the NICU that integrates technology, focused healthcare provider medication safety education, standardized medication process, and robust medication error reporting and prevention efforts. NANN recommends an array of medication safety practices to those caring for the neonatal population. Download the Medication Safety in the NICU infographic.

• COVID-19 Vaccination Position Statement (May 2021)

Regarding COVID-19 vaccination, the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) recommends that nurses get vaccinated; that nurses keep abreast of the most updated information regarding vaccination; that nurses convey accurate information about the vaccines; and that nurses develop strategies to reinforce confidence in vaccination. Download the COVID-19 Vaccination Infographic.

• Essential Care in the NICU during the COVID-19 Pandemic (January 2021)

In this consensus statement, the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN), and the National Perinatal Association (NPA) recognize the unique challenges facing healthcare providers in reducing the risks of COVID-19 transmission while encouraging parent presence and engagement in care. AWHONN, NPA, and NANN believe that NICU parents are "essential caregivers."  Download the Essential Care in the NICU during the COVID-19 Pandemic infographic.  

Read the press release related to the Essential Care in the NICU during the COVID-19 Pandemic consensus statement.  

• Marijuana, Breastfeeding, and the Use of Human Milk (September 2020)

In its most recent position statement, the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) recommends women abstain from marijuana consumption during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. NANN lists 14 recommendations for providers when addressing maternal marijuana use and the potential negative impact on neonates and infants. Download the Marijuana, Breastfeeding, and the Use of Human Milk infographic.  

Read the press release related to the Marijuana, Breastfeeding, and the Use of Human Milk position statement.

• Racial Disparity in the NICU (June 2020)

The National Association of Neonatal Nurses Board of Directors reviews the statistics concerning racially-related health disparities for premature infants and includes nine recommendations for how to endorse healthcare equality for all infants in the NICU regardless of race, parental economic or educational status, or geographic area. Download the Racial Disparity in the NICU infographic .

• Mothers with COVID-19 and Their Newborn Infants (May 2020)

In conjunction with the National Perinatal Association, the National Association of Neonatal Nurses review and discuss the most current literature findings and recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization regarding mother/newborn infant postpartum care in the hospital if a mother is COVID-19+. Download our Mothers with COVID-19 and Their Newborn Infants infographic . 

Read the press release related to the Mothers with COVID-19 and Their Newborn Infants position statement.

• NICU Nurse Involvement in Ethical Decisions (Treatment of Critically Ill Newborns) (reaffirmed 2021)
• The Effect of Staff Nurses' Shift Length and Fatigue on Patient Safety and Nurse's Health (2015)
• The Use of Human Milk and Breastfeeding in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (2015)  - under review for update
• Palliative and End-of-Life Care for Newborns and Infants (2015)  - under review for update
• Prevention of Acute Bilirubin Encephalopathy and Kernicterus in Newborns (2010)

APRN Publications

As the professional voice of neonatal nursing, NANN and its advanced practice registered nurses division, the National Association of Neonatal Nurses Advanced Practice , are looked to as a resource on substantive issues that affect neonatal patients, their families, and the neonatal nurses, neonatal nurse practitioners, and neonatal clinical nurse specialists who care for them. The publications below are specific to the unique needs of neonatal advanced practice registered nurses.

Workforce Survey

• 2020 NNP Workforce Survey Executive Summary (2021)
• 2016 Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Workforce Survey Executive Summary (2017)
• NNP Workforce Survey Paper (2018)  
• NNP Workforce Survey Paper (2013)

NNP Education Standards

• Education Standards: NNP Curriculum Guidelines and Education Competencies for Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs (2023)   (Please note: "Education Standards" has been added to this title for clarifiction.)
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): Entry Into Practice (2018) (Reaffirmed 2022)

Professional Documents for Neonatal APRNs

• Advanced Practice Registered Nurses Practicing Within the Neonatal Population: Role, Preparation, and Scope of Practice (2024)
• The Impact of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses' Shift Length and Fatigue on Patient Safety (updated 2022)
• State of Neonatal APRN Role and Action for the Future (2022)
• Nurse Practitioner Quality Metrics (reaffirmed 2021)
• Neonatal Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition: A Resource Guide for the Student and Novice Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (2020)
• Should I Stay, or Should I Go? Retaining Expert-Level Senior NNP Workforce at the Bedside: NANNP-Recommended Solutions and Guidelines (2018)
• Standard for Maintaining the Competence of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (2015) (Retired, 2023)  
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse: Role, Preparation, and Scope of Practice (2014)  
• The Future of Neonatal Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Practice (2014) (Retired; please see State of Neonatal APRN Role and Action for the Future (2022)

Clinical Practice Guidelines

• The Management of Hypotension in the Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infant: Guideline for Practice (2011)   (Retired, November 2020)

NursingStatement.com by  Dr. Robert Edinger Helping Nurses S ince 1995   [email protected]

Nursing Personal Statement of Purpose

Standard Statement Service

Premium Statement Service

Subscribe to get exclusive updates

I want to subscribe to your mailing list.

Letter of Recommendation 

CV/Resume Editing

24 Hour Turnaround Time

I invite you to fill out my Interview Form at this link. Even if you have a draft, the information on the interview form is often helpful and serves as the basis for me to make creative improvements to the statement. I spend more time with the statement for my premium service customers at US$299.00 ; this is especially true when it comes to making major contributions to creative ideas. My standard service at US$199.00 is for clients who already have a well-developed draft that they need to have tweaked. My premium service is for those clients who want my ultimate effort and further revision after making changes. 

All samples published on this website are anonymous and at least two years old.

• Feb 12, 2022

DNP, CRNA Personal Statement Example, Pediatric, Neonatal ICU

Updated: Jan 15

XXXX is my first choice among Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree (DNP) programs with a concentration in Nurse Anesthesia for several reasons, the program's sheer excellence and stellar reputation. I also appreciate how global perspectives on nursing are incorporated into your curriculum for future CRNAs as an integral aspect of our learning experience. If accepted into your program, I will attend XXXX, where I hope to learn a great deal about opportunities of service caring for the underserved, especially going on missions to the Developing World in support of surgeons performing lifesaving and life-improving surgeries.

I keenly look forward to spending the balance of my professional life working long hours at a state-of-the-art hospital or outpatient center, constantly interacting with patients. I most enjoy being able to help patients along their entire anesthesia journey, from the very start, when they are nervous or anxious before the procedure, during the process, and then monitoring them extremely closely after the procedure: finally, having them wake up and explaining everything that had happened during surgery.

I am increasingly drawn to working with children and babies and want to prepare myself further by specializing in this area and going on to serve in a pediatric or neonatal ICU as a bedside nurse. Working with pediatrics would push me to learn about a different patient population, elevating my current practice to a new level. Caring for children from low-income households is something that I would find incredibly fulfilling.

I shadowed a CRNA for the first time in 2017 and have been preparing for this application since then. I could see first-hand how she worked, intubating patients, giving medications and anesthetic gases, monitoring the patient's vital signs, and communicating most effectively with the doctors and surgeons. I have experience working in an adult intensive care unit and have also worked in the Emergency Department (ED) and post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). I have pediatric experience in the outpatient setting and working in the emergency department. I have extensive expertise working with high-acuity trauma and post-surgical patients, fresh open-heart patients, and those on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). I am adept at caring for patients on invasive monitoring devices or equipment, such as intra-aortic balloon pumps, external ventricular drains, or patients on continuous renal replacement therapy.

I work exceptionally well under pressure and have been involved in many emergencies, code blues, or rapid sequence intubations. I volunteered at local hospitals beginning in high school and served as an ambassador for the American Red Cross. I have worked full-time as a Registered Nurse for the past five years. I currently work as an urgent care float nurse at XXXX University Medical Center in Chicago, working in the ICUs, including medical, surgical, cardiac, and neuro-intensive care units.

Thank you for considering my application to XXXX.

#personalstatement #crna #nurseanesthesia #editing #service #sample #professional #neonatal

• Nurse Anesthesia CRNA Statements
• DNP Personal Statement Examples

Recent Posts

Personal Statement DNP Nurse Anesthesia Military

DNP, CRNA, Nurse Anesthesia, Indian

CRNA Personal Statement Samples, BSN-DNP, Published, Christian

Samantha Putterman, PolitiFact Samantha Putterman, PolitiFact

Leave your feedback

• Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/fact-checking-j-d-vances-past-statements-and-relationship-with-trump

Fact-checking JD Vance’s past statements and relationship with Trump

This fact check originally appeared on PolitiFact .

Former President Donald Trump has selected Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance as his vice presidential running mate.

“After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio,” Trump wrote July 15 on Truth Social.

Vance, 39, won his Senate seat in 2022 with Trump’s backing. He would be one of the youngest vice presidents in U.S. history.

But before becoming one of Trump’s fiercest allies and defenders, Vance sharply criticized the former president. During the 2016 presidential election, Vance wrote that he goes “back and forth between thinking Trump is a cynical a–hole like Nixon who wouldn’t be that bad (and might even prove useful) or that he’s America’s Hitler.”

WATCH: 2024 RNC delegates react to Trump shooting

He has since sounded a different tone including in defending Trump’s actions in the events leading up to and during the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Vance was critical of Vice President Mike Pence’s handling of the 2020 election results certification and in an interview with Kaitlan Collins on CNN questioned whether the vice president’s life was actually endangered during the riots. Vance also vocally condemned what he sees as the tenor of political rhetoric, which he tied to an assassination attempt during Trump’s July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

“The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs,” Vance posted on X shortly after the shooting. “That rhetoric led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.”

Who is J.D. Vance and what is his relationship with Trump?

Before winning his Senate seat in 2022, Vance worked as an investor, commentator and bestselling author.

Vance, who was born in Middleton, Ohio, served in the U.S. Marine Corps before attending Ohio State University and Yale Law School. He worked as a corporate lawyer before moving into the tech industry as a venture capitalist.

WATCH: JD Vance’s evolution from Trump critic to running mate

Vance rose to fame through his 2016 memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” which describes his growing up in poverty and details the isolation, violence and drug addiction that often surrounds poor white communities in middle America.

When the book was released, Vance started talking to the media about issues important to people in his community — and started criticizing Trump.

Vance told ABC News in August 2016 that, although Trump successfully “diagnoses the problems” people are facing, he didn’t see Trump “offering many solutions.” In an October 2016 interview with journalist Charlie Rose, Vance said he was a “never-Trump guy.”

In another 2016 interview about his book, Vance told a reporter that, although his background would have made him a natural Trump supporter, “the reason, ultimately, that I am not … is because I think that (Trump) is the most-raw expression of a massive finger pointed at other people.”

Vance began to publicly change course when he launched his Senate campaign in 2021. He deleted tweets from 2016 that included him calling Trump “reprehensible” and an “idiot.” In another deleted tweet following the release of the “Access Hollywood” tape on which Trump said fame enabled him to grope women, Vance wrote: “Fellow Christians, everyone is watching us when we apologize for this man. Lord help us.”

He apologized about his Trump criticisms in a July 2021 Fox News interview, and asked people not to judge him based on what he had said. “I’ve been very open that I did say those critical things and I regret them, and I regret being wrong about the guy,” Vance said. “I think he was a good president, I think he made a lot of good decisions for people, and I think he took a lot of flak.”

In June, after news circulated that Vance was on Trump’s short list for vice president, Fox News host Bret Baier asked Vance about the comments. Vance said he was wrong about Trump. “He was a great president, and it’s one of the reasons why I’m working so hard to make sure he gets a second term,” he said.

Trump endorsed Vance in the Ohio GOP Senate primary, helping him win the race and the general election.

As a senator, Vance lobbied to defeat Ohio’s constitutional amendment that ensured access to abortion, calling it a “gut punch” after the measure passed.

After the hazardous East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment in 2023, which ignited a fire and led to evacuations and a controlled release of chemicals, Vance worked with Ohio’s senior senator, Democrat Sherrod Brown, to introduce rail safety legislation.

PolitiFact has fact-checked Vance 10 times. He’s received two Pants on Fire ratings, three Falses, two Mostly Falses and two Half Trues. He also received one Mostly True rating before he was a politician in 2018.

In March, Vance echoed a popular Republican talking point, saying that “100% of net job creation under the Biden administration has gone to the foreign-born.” We rated that Mostly False. Since Biden took office in early 2021, the number of foreign-born Americans who are employed has risen by about 5.6 million. But over the same time period, the number of native-born Americans employed has increased by almost 7.4 million. We rated False Vance’s claim in February that the $95 million Ukraine supplemental aid package included a “hidden impeachment clause against President Trump.” The measure doesn’t mention impeachment.

Because it’s the president’s job to spend congressionally appropriated funds, experts said whoever is elected president next will be responsible for spending the money allocated in the law. It doesn’t target former Trump; it would apply the same way to Biden, should he be reelected.

On immigration, Vance falsely claimed in 2022 that Biden’s “open border” meant that “more Democrat voters were “pouring into this country.” Immigrants who cross the border illegally cannot vote in federal elections. The process for immigrants to become citizens and therefore gain the right to vote can take a decade or longer.

PolitiFact also addressed controversial comments Vance made in 2021, surfaced during his Senate run, about rape being “inconvenient.”

Vance didn’t directly say “rape is inconvenient.” But when he was asked in an interview whether laws should allow people to get abortions if they were victims of rape or incest, he said that society shouldn’t view a pregnancy or birth resulting from rape or incest as “inconvenient.”

In the interview, which occurred before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Vance was also asked whether anti-abortion laws should include rape and incest exceptions. “Two wrongs don’t make a right,” he said in response. “At the end of day, we are talking about an unborn baby. What kind of society do we want to have? A society that looks at unborn babies as inconveniences to be discarded?”

​When asked again about the exceptions, Vance said: “The question portrays a certain presumption that is wrong. It’s not whether a woman should be forced to bring a child to term, it’s whether a child should be allowed to live, even though the circumstances of that child’s birth are somehow inconvenient or a problem to the society.”

Since being on Trump’s vice presidential short list, Vance has expressed a more moderate view on abortion.

On July 7 on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” for example, Vance said he supports access to the abortion pill mifepristone after the Supreme Court dismissed the case against it — echoing what Trump said days before during the presidential debate.

Support Provided By: Learn more

Educate your inbox

Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else.

Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm.

• How we are governed
• Constituencies
• PMNCH Strategy, Annual Reports and Workplans
• PMNCH history
• Secretariat
• Academic, Research and Training Institutes
• Adolescents and Youth
• Donors and Foundations
• Global Financing Mechanisms
• Health-Care Professional Associations
• Inter-Governmental Organizations
• Non-Governmental Organizations
• Partner Governments
• Private Sector
• United Nations Agencies
• Working Groups
• Governance Reform
• Executive Committee

• Focus areas
• Maternal, newborn and child health (including stillbirths)
• Sexual and reproductive health and rights
• Adolescent health and well-being
• Knowledge Synthesis
• Partner Engagement
• Campaigns and Outreach

• PMNCH E-Blast
• Headlines »

• Tools and toolkits
• Publications
• Knowledge summaries
• Humanitarian and fragile settings
• All publications

• Becoming a partner
• Constituency focal points
• PMNCH Request for Proposals and Job Board
• Partner social media assets
• Digital Advocacy Hubs

• News and events /

WHA77 Resolution to accelerate progress towards reducing maternal, newborn and child mortality – support statement from health care professionals

On behalf of Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH) Health Care Professional Associations Constituency members: Council of International Neonatal Nurses (COINN), International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), International Council of Nurses (ICN), International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), International Federation of Medical Students Association (IFMSA), International Pharmaceutical Student Federation (IPSF), International Paediatric Association (IPA), World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA)

As health care professional associations, we welcome the resolution to Accelerate progress towards reducing maternal, newborn and child mortality in order to achieve Sustainable Development Goal targets 3.1 and 3.2 adopted by Member States at the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA) on the 30th May 2024.

Profoundly alarmed by the current global stagnation and, in some countries, regression, of maternal, newborn and child mortality worldwide, this resolution represents a clear signal that we need to accelerate efforts to reverse the situation to save the lives of mothers and babies, and end preventable stillbirths.

Based on current trends, at least 46 of countries are projected to have a ratio greater than 140 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030, more than double the global target of less than 70 deaths (SDG 3.1). Approximately 64 of countries will miss the neonatal mortality target (SDG 3.2.2), 59 of countries will miss the under-five mortality target (SDG 3.2.1), and 56 of countries will not meet the stillbirth target set by the Every Newborn Action Plan (ENAP). In addition, rates of preterm birth have not budged in the past decade, sitting at 9.9% in 2020 compared to 9.8% in 2010 . These numbers clearly indicate that the world is not on track to achieve the SDGs for maternal, newborn and child health, and that the incredible gains of the Millennium Development Goal era are being brought to a halt.

This is unacceptable as the majority of these deaths are preventable. We know the main causes of deaths and we know what is needed to accelerate action: political leadership, investments, effective health care packages delivered with quality and equity, subnational planning, budgeting and implementation, standardized and improved data flows, and multisectoral action. We also know that we must address important determinants of maternal, newborn and child mortality, such as malnutrition, inadequate access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), gender equality, and the compounding impacts of conflicts, climate change, higher costs of living, and pandemic threats. Governments must address these issues by implementing cost-effective and quality interventions and allocating the necessary financial resources to ensure their sustainable delivery.

As leaders of health care professional associations, we commend Member States for their commitment to this agenda especially the Government of Somalia for their leadership in the resolution and the President of South Africa as the Chair of the Global Leader’s Networks for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health to prioritize this critical agenda at the highest political levels. We look forward to working together with governments and other stakeholders to implement the resolution in order to reduce maternal, newborn and child mortality.

To ensure our continued support , we call upon governments to invest in the health and care workforce, especially in the education, employment, regulation and retention of the health and care workforce, including midwives, nurses, and neonatal nurses, that is required to provide universal access to, and coverage of, the nationally determined package of sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health care services that are aligned with the principle of decent work (Paragraph 13 of the resolution). Investing in strengthening the health and care workforce, ensuring that each of them works to the full scope of their professional practice, coordinating all healthcare levels including hospitals and primary healthcare, and ensuring sufficient numbers of skilled personnel will help us to continue delivering quality services and saving the lives of mothers and their babies.

From our side, we re-affirm our commitment to supporting the implementation of the resolution, ensuring that every woman has access to high-quality reproductive and maternal care, and that every baby, including small and sick newborns and babies born too soon, can survive and thrive. We commit to play our role in working with our local associations to improve quality of care, including mentoring and upgrading skills and competencies of health care professionals as well as advocating for adequate numbers and distribution of health care workers. We look forward to joining and supporting in-country advocacy efforts to raise the political profile to prioritize maternal, newborn, and child health in the national agendas.

• Download in pdf

Media Contacts

David Gomez Canon

Communications Officer

• Maternal, newborn and child health