India is known has a medical tourism destination, they are responsible for over a thousand heart surgeries, most of their clients try to avoid the high cost of operation in the US, UK, Germany, and Canada. Their best clients have been the developing countries, who have little or no cardiothoracic surgeons or facility to carry out a heart surgery.

There is a huge salary difference between a cardiothoracic surgeon in training and cardiothoracic surgeon fellow. This is due to the level of training, education, and qualification. Experience also play an important role in determining what the salary would be.

According to data collected by PayScale, the range of a cardiothoracic surgeon salary is $100,143 – $609,837 per annum, while the median salary is put at $340,237. This figure puts them ahead of many other surgeons regarding pay difference. Looking into their hourly rate range of $23.84 – $347.31, it is indeed a career to focus on.

Who is a Heart Surgeon or Cardiothoracic Surgeon?

The cardiothoracic surgeon is responsible for performing heart surgeries and other complex operations on patients with heart conditions. The job requires a high level of skills, ability and training to do the task. Most are skilled with the use of their hands, they can stand long hours, they have sharp and observant eyes and are mentally and emotionally stable.

They undergo series of practice and training before performing a live open heart surgery. Today, there is a new technology that has made cardiothoracic surgery less invasive, but the skill is still needed when operating this technological machines and tools.

Cardiothoracic Surgeon Salary

There are a limited number of cardiothoracic surgeons in the world today, they live in different countries, so is the salary they receive.  The heart surgeons salary in the United States is very high, so is that of Canada, UK, Australia, Germany and South Africa. Among the doctors in India the cardiothoracic surgeon salary there is probably the highest.

A cardiothoracic surgeon salary range is between $100,143 – $609,837 per annum and $23.84 – $347.31 per hour. A median of $340,237 annually, this include allowances, bonuses, and other financial entitlements. There is a fear of cardiothoracic surgeon shortage soon; this is due to the number of candidates allowed into residency and cardiothoracic surgeon specialty.

The profession is a specialty under cardiology and few people, eventually, make the cut to train as a cardiothoracic surgeon. They are usually the top 10% in the class or group. They receive benefits and perks such as paid vacation days, health insurance and life insurance, bonuses and profit-sharing and other as well.

Cardiothoracic Surgeon Job Description

The job description of a cardiothoracic surgeon is both straightforward and complex, what is needed even more is the skills and ability.

They are observant, organized and calm. They need steady hands and a clear head to work. An excellent interpersonal skill is required to collaborate with other specialists, especially the nurses, physicians, and other surgeons. Cardiothoracic surgeons follow strict protocols and observe appropriate deadlines.

They do the following; coronary bypasses, valve repair and replacement, and installing assistance devices. The use of technological equipment to study and analyze the patient’s condition. The use of modern robotics to do surgeries where applicable.

They advise the patient on possible routine and diet post surgery, they also examine and monitor them periodically. Before any surgery, they do tests to verify that surgeries were successful and gather with other specialists to discuss research, clinical data, surgery invasion and options, and patient’s medical histories.

Other task includes:

• Treat complications of ischemic heart disease (such as, coronary artery bypass grafting), correct congenital heart disease, or treat valvular heart disease created by various causes including endocarditis.
• Provide surgical care of coronary artery disease, abnormalities of the great vessels and heart valves, congenital anomalies, tumors and diseases of the diaphragm.
• Treat pathologic conditions of the lung, esophagus and chest wall, abnormalities of the great vessels, tumors of the mediastinum, and diseases of the diaphragm and pericardium.
• Provide operative, preoperative and critical care diagnosis, treatment and procedures for patients with pathological conditions of the chest.
• Communicate with families and patients about care plans and make referrals to other specialists as per the standard of care.

Cardiothoracic Surgeon Training

Only the very best and top 10% in the medical school, get into a residency program in cardiology. Among them a few make the cut to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. The training program is long and intensive; it begins with a four years bachelor’s degree in a science related course.

You must sit and pass the Medical College Admission Test – MCAT, to gain admission into the Medical school for four to six years. After sitting and passing the finals in the med school. You apply for residency in an approved hospital, to specialize in cardiology for another four to six years.

During your training exams will be conducted and another two years in cardiothoracic residency. Becoming a fellow is a plus in will guarantee a good salary has a heart surgeon.

Within the past five years, the salary of an ENT doctor has increased over time; the job satisfaction level is also very high. The salary is most times influenced by some hours worked if they are consultants or salaried. They get benefits, bonuses, and perks also.

The Otolaryngologist salary varies from one state to another, likewise from one country to another. Most times geographical location, employer policy, reputation, educational qualifications and skills affect the pay. Perks and bonus include payment of license fees, subsidized meals, paid vacation, profit share bonus and more.

However, there are specialist otolaryngologist surgeons who perform surgery if need be on patients with issues with the ear, nose, and throat. The salary for this class of professional is usually higher than that of their counterparts.

Who is an ENT or Otolaryngologist Doctor?

They treat illnesses, injuries and defects of the ears, nose, and throat. Some of them perform surgeries if need be.

The Washington University in St. Louis, defines the ENT or otolaryngologist has a doctor who treats diseases and lesions above the shoulders except for visual and eye-related disorders and brain lesions. This includes the ears, respiratory and upper alimentary systems in the head and neck in general.

ENT or Otolaryngologist Salary

There is quite some research with data of the ENT or Otolaryngologist Salary, Indeed, Glassdoor, PayScale, US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Medscape and more. In all some reports five figure others report a six-figure salary. It is important to know that the salary varies due to some factors the ENT or Otolaryngologist doctor pay.

This ENT or Otolaryngologist Salary is probably one of the best in the industry, with a good time on your hand, and a wonderful lifestyle. With an annual salary between $189,665 – $450,761, and a median of $268,813, you can even make more as a fellow or consultant.

ENT doctors enjoy bonuses, license fee payment, meal subsidies, medical and dental insurance, 401k, paid vacation and more. One thing also clear is that the earnings vary from state to state, the institution employing and your qualification can affect your pay. It is wise to compare the standard of living in the area or start before taking a salary.

ENT or Otolaryngologist Job Description

A lot may have been heard about the duty of an ent doctor, most especially the level of skill and ability on the job. The job requires precision and great skill; they work with patients of all ages. You can find them in an emergency room removing an object inside the nose or hospital environment.

An ENT doctor examines, diagnoses and treats disorders, diseases, and injuries of the ear, nose and throat. Consults with other physicians and patients to decide the course of treatment. Recommends and orders tests to determine the extent of disease or help diagnose the condition.

They perform surgeries if need be in the ear, nose, or throat area. This includes handling issues like adenoidectomies, tonsillectomies nosebleeds, ear-aches, hearing loss, dizziness, hoarseness, and sinus disease.

Others include:

• Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders
• Breathing Abnormalities
• Hearing and Balance Complaints
• Allergy Problems
• Voice and Swallowing Disorders
• Tumors and Other Masses of the Neck and Upper Airway

ENT or Otolaryngologist Training and Education

If you desire to became an ENT doctor, you must be prepared for a lifelong education and training. After your undergraduate degree, you will need to sit and pass the MCAT exam. This is necessary to gain admission into the medical degree.

To become an ENT doctor, you need to complete five years of residency training after medical school.  The first year focuses on breaking you into the surgical residency experience and allows you to do rotations in various fields.  Afterward, you will have four years of specific training in otolaryngology.

It is a very competitive program, and a good number of people jostle for a residency spot. The post-residency training and licenses are also needed to become a specialist. The American Board of Otolaryngology exam must be passed to be certified,  a one or two-year fellowship in any of the seven subspecialty.

Currently, there are only 104 residency programs offering 280 spots for medical graduates.  This makes the competition pretty stiff.  Indeed, last year, 98.9% of spots filled before the scramble.  Most of which were American trained medical students.  Only two foreign medical graduates got an ENT residency last year

These include pediatric otolaryngology (children), otology/neurotology (ears and balance.), allergy, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, head and neck surgery, laryngology.(throat) and rhinology (nose). Some ENT specialists limit their practices to one of these seven areas.

Most ER nurse a highly qualified and trained, they have years of experience treating and taking care of patients with emergency needs. The work load of an ER nurse is usually very high, and to keep up with the high income they have to work overtime.

The factors that really make the pay high or low include geographical location, those working in rural areas tend to earn more and cities with a high cost of living also tend to receive a high salary. The true worth of a salary is the cost of living versus the salary received per annum.

The demand for attention and time of the ER nurses may make them earn more, with some benefits and perks. Earners higher than the $100,000 mark, will have to work several days without a break and overtime.  They may be salaried unit or department heads.

Who is an Emergency Room – ER Nurse?

The ER nurse provides care for patients suffering from trauma or other conditions needing emergency attention. Working as a nurse in an emergency room setting requires a variety of knowledge about healthcare in general and specific levels and care for patients of all ages.

Emergency Room – ER Nurse Salary

The Emergency Room – ER Nurse Salary is one of the highest in the nursing industry, this is largely due to the entry-level into the profession is for experienced and qualified registered nurses. The also earn high salaries due to the several hours they put to work.

Emergency Room – ER Nurse Salary is between the range of $45,682 – $90,344, the hourly national range is $21.93 – $41.20. This depends on several factors such as qualification, training, employer policy and more. The benefits and perks are also encouraging.

Emergency Room – ER Nurse Job Description

The task of an emergency room – er nurse is time sensitive and delicate. When they are not saving a patient from a life threatening situation they do the following task:

• Provide care that includes triage, physical assessment, treatment, reassessment, discharge planning and health education to the Emergency Department patient.
• They must be able to work well under pressure.
• Monitor patient progress and consult with supervising physician.
• Conduct physical examinations and record patient histories.
• Emergency nurses must be able to assess each of their patients quickly and as accurately as possible.
• They write down everything that they think is relevant to the patient’s medical condition.
• Provide direct patient care under indirect physician supervision.
• They must have excellent bedside manner

Emergency Room – ER Nurse Training and Education

To become an emergency room nurse you need to have a certificate, diploma, associate degree or bachelors degree in nursing. The bachelor’s degree is considered the starting point of a nursing career. So if you have a diploma you need to upgrade to an associate degree and in turn to a bachelor’s degree in Nursing.

A master degree in nursing with experience is need to become an emergency room nurse, also inclusive is a certification and license to practice as an emergency room – er nurse. You need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

An ER nurse can also get a doctorate in nursing. You might also pursue a voluntary certification through the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN), such as the Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) and Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) credentials.

The oncology nurse salary is affected by geographical location, experience, level of education and type of employer. The job also requires dedication to duty, long hours of standing and stress, however the benefits are there. Perks and benefits enjoyed include medical insurance, paid vacation, 401(k),  discounted training, relocation allowance and sometimes housing allowance.

Who is an Oncology Nurse?

An oncology nurse provides nursing care to patients with cancer and to those with an increased risk for developing cancer.

Practitioners in this field requires a master degree and certifications to practice as a oncology nurse, and each state has it on licensing agency.

Oncology Nurse Salary

The oncology nurse salary is between $46,395 – $88,878 and hourly rate of $22.28 – $41.89 based on national data average. The role of the oncology nurse is very important to their patient, and it requires optimism, compassion, dedication and time.

 The salary may include juicy bonuses, perks and benefits, also oncology nurses working in the rural area earn more. The other factors include experience, skills, reputation and employers.

Oncology Nurse Job Description

The oncology nurse does the following task

• Evaluates oncology patients and plans, implements and documents nursing care.
• Assists physicians during examinations and procedures.
• Provides supportive care and administration of chemotherapy, blood components, fluid and electrolyte replacements, and other oncology treatments as prescribed.
• Requires an associate’s degree and is certified as a registered nurse.
• Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field.
• Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
• Performs a variety of tasks.
• A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected.
• Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department.

The Oncology nurses assist in the design and implementation of treatment strategies, counsel on cancer prevention and educate on ways to live with cancer, maintain health records, administer medication, and assist in chemotherapy and other treatments

They also educate and take care of those patients who are high risk, or in remission from cancer. During this time nurses monitor conditions, track symptoms, prescribe medication and assist in radiation and chemotherapy treatments. This field of nursing can be very draining emotionally and physically, but is also recognized as one of the most rewarding jobs in the medical world. Tasks and patients will differ day by day making it less monotonous than other nursing positions

Oncology Nurse Training and Education

To practice and became an oncology nurse, you must have completed a 3-year diploma, 2-year Associate degree or a 4-year Bachelor of Science in nursing degree. Oncology nurses can study for a post-graduate degree, this may be a master’s degree with progression to nursing.

Experience in oncology nursing is important, also certification courses in NCLEX-RN national examination completed before practicing. The main certification is the Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) but ONCC offers numerous oncology-related certifications, such as:

• Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist (AOCNS)
• Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse (AOCN)
• Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP)

Who is an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner?

Medical professionals skilled in acute care are responsible for treating brief, but severe, episodes of illness, injury, or trauma, such as heart attacks or respiratory distress.

Acute care nurse practitioners cover the branch of nursing that offers care and attention to patients who have particularly advanced or chronic conditions, such as shock, heart attack, or any condition that may need surgery.

They work closely with patients by helping with prep for surgery and post surgery recovery.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Salary

Acute care nurse practitioner salary for fresher with a year or less experience is mostly at the lower range, while an acute care nurse practitioner practicing for 1 to 5 years of experience receives an average salary from  $48,874 to $117,446 per annum. The average salary of acute care nurse practitioner is $77.772.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Salary in the US is between $68,498 – $137,633, the national hourly rate data is between $38.69 – $65.89. The salary differs by states in the United States, while in countries like Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand have varying salary rate.

Average Acute care nurse practitioner salary for UK is £37,500, Canada C$102,000 and Australia AU$75,000. The year of experience, level of education and the skills of the acute care nurse also determines the salary of the practitioner.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Job Description

The duties of the acute care nurse practitioner involves taking care of patient in critical need. This is not limited to pre and post surgery care, it involves all other acute care patient need.

The following below are some of the duties of an acute care practitioner nurse:

• diagnosing and treating their patients medical condition (within their field of speciality)
• reviewing their patients medical history (to ensure that the patient receives proper medical care and that treatment is safe)
• prescribing medications (related to their field of expertise)
• taking x-rays
• performing screenings
• researching the newest and latest medical procedures in order to advance their knowledge
• performing physical exams and prescribing rehabilitation therapy to patients in need of rehabilitation as well as other medical related tasks

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Training and Education

Acute care nurse practitioners are nurse practitioners(NPs) with a specialty in acute care nursing. They must first complete a two associate degree in nursing. The other option is a four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing and be licensed as registered nurses (RNs).

Experience is necessary to earn advanced degree and certification to become an advanced degree and become Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs). To be an acute care nurse practitioner you need to have a master degree in nursing.

Then prepare for ACNP certification with a one-year post-master’s program.

The next is to be certified by your State Board of Nursing or receive a national certification from an agency such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Some of the benefits that come with the dialysis nurse salary include medical insurance, 401(k), paid vacation, overtime allowances, relocation allowance, and sometimes discounted training cost.

This is a job that report high on the job satisfaction, while majority of the dialysis nurse are women.

Dialysis Nurse Salary

The average salary of dialysis nurse salary is between $50,544 – $81,684 and an hourly pay of $24.19 – $37.72. There are several factors that affect the payment of the dialysis nurse salary.

What is dialysis Nursing?

This is a specialty practice addressing the protection, promotion, and optimization of the health and well-being of individuals with kidney disease. These goals are achieved through the prevention and treatment of illness and injury, and the alleviation of suffering through patient, family, and community advocacy.

Dialysis is a medical procedure that removes wastes and fluid from the blood when the kidneys fail. The blood is removed from the body through a tube, filtered in a machine several times and returned to the body through another tube.

Dialysis Nurse Job Description

The Dialysis Nurse job is a part of nephrology, the aid and give care to patients with kidney issues and challenges. They perform tasks such as maintaining and examining patient reports and records, monitoring patients for signs of change, administering medications, consulting with physicians and other medical staff on a decisive plan of action, and planning and implementing patient care.

They watch the treatment throughout, ensuring that patients are comfortable and that there are no malfunctions with the machines or IV lines.

They must document all activities with their patients in a medical file, writing down notes about the process being sure to document any incidents.

• Develop and keep up policies and procedures as directed.
• Participate in the maintenance of Quality Control program as directed.
• Ensure that pertinent documentation and paperwork are accurate and complete.
• Manage dialysis treatments according to the orders.
• Participate in short and long-term planning and goal setting for the patients.

Dialysis Nurse Training and Education

To become a trained dialysis nurse you need to be a registered nurse, a certificate, associate or bachelors degree in nursing is necessary to get registered. An associate degree takes 2-3 years, and 4 years for a bachelor’s degree. Then pass the board exams and other licensing exam to become a dialysis nurse.

The licensing exam is called the National Council Licensure Examination – Registered Nurse (NCLEX – RN). There is also a certification program for register nurse who wants to become a dialysis nurse. The Certified Dialysis Nurse exam is conducted by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission.

Certification requires two years of experience as a registered nurse, 2,000 hours of working with patients on dialysis and 15 hours of approved continuing education credits; it must be renewed every three years. Employers prefer dialysis nurse who have a minimum of two years experience as a registered nurse before being hired.

The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission offers a certification program for registered nurses who wish to become a Certified Dialysis Nurse. Certification requires two years of experience as a registered nurse, 2,000 hours of working with patients on dialysis and 15 hours of approved continuing education credits; it must be renewed every three years.

The role of the flight nurse is to keep the patient on-board alive until  they get to the hospital. The flight team work in a team of three or more, usually a pilot and 2 nurses.  They can also work in a military environment, where rescuing an injured or wounded soldier is a matter of priority.

Flight Nurse Salary

The flight nurse salary in the US is between $50,347 – $92,996, the hourly wage is expected to be $29.03 per hour. While the hourly wage range is between $24.22 – $39.88. Most flight nurses enjoy benefits and perks as part of their package, which includes overtime allowance, Insurance, 401(k), and more.

The profession is projected to have an increase in salary in the next 5 years, while over 60% of the flight nurses are women. The job is high risk and most find it challenging, however they experience a high level of job satisfaction.

Flight Nurse Job Description

The flight nurse has the responsibility of getting the patient on board on time and safely transporting them to a medical facility. They transport patients aboard air ambulances, this may be an airplane or helicopter. They also aid the pilot to find a safe spot to land and avoid obstacles that may cause harm to them and their patient.

They essentially help in preparation and planning for missions requiring aeromedical evacuation.

Aside from this, they have other responsibility to handle, though they may not have a full brief of the situation of the patient. They ensure they have adequate supplies, equipment and medications needed to keep the patient alive during the flight.

The training necessary for this career includes hemodynamic support, mechanical ventilation, vasoactive medications and a variety of training relating to intensive care. This job is for a nurse who can stay calm under pressure and work with a variety of medical team.

Must have be physically fit, be able to handle work in rough terrain, handle night shifts, and odd hour calls.

• Responsible for planning and preparing for aeromedical evacuation missions
• Expedite mission and start emergency treatment in absence of Flight Physician
• Provide in-flight management and nursing care for patients
• Evaluate individual patient in-flight needs
• Liaison between medical and working aircrews and support personnel to promote patient comfort
• Responsible for maintaining patient care, comfort and safety
• Care for patients with both medical and traumatic issues
• Request appropriate medications, supplies and equipment to give care to patient
• Must have training in mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic support, vasoactive medications and intensive care skills
• Specialised clinical skills in union with knowledge, theory, education and expertise in hospital and pre-hospital environments are required.
• Perform advanced medical procedures without supervision of a doctor such as intubation, ventilator management, chest tube insertion, intra-osseous line placement, central line placement, intra-aortic balloon pump management, management of pacing devices, titration of vasoactive medications, pain management, administration of anaesthetic medications for intubation, and in some cases, emotional and family care

Flight Nurse Training and Education

To became a trained flight nurse you must have completed the normal education path to become a flight nurse. Most flight nurse have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, some start with certifications or a 2-3 years associate degree in nursing.

A flight nurse may further their education to a masters or doctorate in nursing. Some of these certifications are ACLS, BLS, PALS, and advanced trauma. Experience is required in intensive care unit, the profession also requires a certification and license to practice.

Qualifications that need to be acquired in order to be a flight nurse are neonatal resuscitation, pediatric advanced life support, advanced cardiac life support, and pre-hospital trauma life support. As a general rule, they also must obtain a minimum experience level of 5 years in an ICU, ER or other critical care based hospital setting.

The forensic nursing is now made popular by tv series and shows that depicts investigators at work, solving crimes and mysteries. To be a qualified forensic nurse you need to be a registered practitioner and licensed to work in the field.

Who is Forensic Nurse?

Professional nurses who provide special care to the victims of violence and abuse like sexual assault, intimate partner violence, accidental injuries, and death are known as forensic nurses. They are trained for medical evidence collection and the criminal justice system.

Forensic Nursing Salary

The salary of a forensic nurse is quite attractive and it is not always demanding, though the work pressure may come occasionally. The work mostly as assistants and help in solving cases. Experience matters when considering the salary of a forensic nurse.

The level of education is an important factor to consider, the geographical location, type of employer and skills. Some of the figures available include the following below.

California, Texas and New York were the top three states employing registered nurses in May 2014, reported the BLS. While California also paid the highest average wage of $98,400, Texas and New York offered lower average wages of $68,590 and $77,110. Hawaii and Massachusetts, which offered respective average wages of $88,230 and $85,770, were among those states offering the highest pay. Among the states paying the lowest average wages between $33,740 and $57,830 were Tennessee, Iowa, West Virginia, Alabama and Nebraska.

Forensic Nursing Job Description

Some of the duties of a forensic nurse include:

• Collecting and finding pertinent evidence on victims
• Managing victims emotional trauma and fears
• Collecting blood, tissue, or semen samples
• Evaluate and document patient wounds
• Forensic nurses are also often called upon to deliver expert testimony during criminal trials as well.
• They are often required to assess and treat minor injuries and illnesses in their patients
• They may also work directly with police or lawyers as consultants in cases where medical knowledge is necessary.

Forensic Nursing Training and Certification

To work has a forensic nurse you need to get the relevant training and certification that will allow you to practice. There are about three training paths to get qualified and licensed to work has a forensic nurse. The first path is the diploma course route, this will eventually lead to the associate degree root and finally the bachelor’s degree route.

You can start from any of the routes, this largely depends on your entrance qualification and availability of funds to study for the program. You can study online, on-campus or in the hospital. The bachelor’s degree is a 4 years program while the associate degree takes 2-3 years to complete.

You may go ahead for a master’s degree and doctorate in nursing, there is certification course and licensing exams to be taken to practice. Most states in the US requires a license to practice, it is also important to get certified as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) – Adult and Pediatric versions. Then the emerging Advanced Practice Forensic Nurse Portfolio credential.

A quick review of the pediatric nurse salary:

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in May 2014 that the mean annual salary of registered nurses (RNs), which included pediatric nurses, was at $69,790 (www.bls.gov). In addition, PayScale.com reported in September 2015 that pediatric nurses made a median salary of $53,444, with most of these professionals earning $34,768-$84,445. Your income will be determined by a few factors, such as skills, employer, experience, geographical location and education.

Pediatric Nurse Salary

The pediatric nurse is a specialized nursing profession, they take care of children from birth to adolescence. They are mostly found in the children’s wing of the hospital. Other places they work in include clinics, hospitals, and doctors office. They have area of sub specialty which include cardiology, endocrinology, neonatalology, trauma, etc.

The pediatric nurse salary is quite encouraging it falls within the range of  $35,397 – $83,947 annually and $17.33 – $38.70 hourly. 

Pediatric Nurse Job Description

• The job of the pediatric nurse is centered around children and working with their parents. Some of the duties of a pediatric nurse are:
• They access the patients needs, they care for the sick child and give guidance to the family on how to handle the child and aid recovery.
• They provide information regard nutrition and diet information, medication administration and treatment of injuries and illness.
• They are skilled in taking care of children with passion and friendly manners.
• They aid and prep the child for surgery if need arises.
• Pediatric nurses conduct checkups regularly and give vaccination shots.
• They work in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) with pediatricians and other health care providers.

It is important that a pediatric nurse follow the working guidelines of the profession and must not be found wanting. Task may be assigned and restricted by the employer, but most pediatric nurse do the following:

• Prescribe or recommend drugs, treatments, and interventions.
• Set up, troubleshoot, and calibrate medical equipment for patient care.
• Assess, diagnose, and undertake interventions to improve the health of patients.
• Perform physical therapy, change dressings, or perform other clinical care.

Pediatric Nurse Training and Education

To become a pediatric nurse a nursing diploma, Associate degree or Bachelor of Science in nursing degree are required for the beginnings of the certification requirements as a pediatric nurse. It is important you pass the national licensing examination to become a registered nurse.

After obtaining a bachelor’s degree, you may proceed for a master’s degree and a doctorate. You will learn a lot about children’s care, health, illness and symptoms.

The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board certifies a Pediatric nurse, though you must have gained at least 2- 3 years full time working experience in a pediatric unit of a clinic or hospital. It takes 2-3 years to complete an associate degree, 4 years for a bachelor’s degree in nursing and 1-2 years for a master’s degree and 4-6 years for a doctorate in nursing.

Soft skills: Critical thinking, social awareness, problem solving, clear and concise communication, good judgment and decision-making, reading comprehension

You can study online, on-campus or on the job, the national licensing examination of NCLEX-RN must be passed, followed by  Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).

Most premature babies, babies with jaundice, complication during child-birth and other challenges are admitted into this unit. The babies cannot talk and it requires specially trained people to treat babies. The nurses assigned to care for babies are trained neonatal nurse.

A neonatal nurse is a trained practitioners take care of premature infants and newborns, who need special attention due to congenital heart diseases, respiratory troubles, low birth weight, or other disorders and abnormalities.

Neonatal Nurse Training and Education

A neonatal nurse must complete a 4 year bachelor’s degree in nursing, and must be a registered practitioner after the training. Then go ahead for a master degree this is done to ensure nursing licensure as a nurse practitioner. This is followed by courses and certification in neonatal resuscitation and neonatal intensive care courses.

In all practical hospital experience in required during and after training. Nursing degree path can a diploma, associate’s degree, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). A state license is required before you can practice as a nurse.

The NCC lists the following requirements to take the RNC-NIC exam:

• Current RN license in the United States or Canada
• One of the following:
  • At least 24 months experience working with critically ill infants as an RN
  • A minimum of 2,000 hours of specialty experience in neonatal health that includes direct patient care, education, administration or research
• Employment related to the neonatal specialty within the past 24 months

American Association of Colleges of Nursing recognizes these three levels of care at which neonatal nurses work with the newborns:

1. Newborn Nursery CareAt this level, NNPs deal with the full-term and healthy infants.
2. Intermediate Care NurseryNurses working on this level takes care of the infants who are premature and require special attention.
3. Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery NNPs take care of seriously ill infants, who need constant monitoring.

You can pursue your education up to a doctorate level in the nursing profession. They quite a number of schools you can attend online or on-campus.

Neonatal Nurse Job Description

The neonatal nurse job may be tasking, but it is very rewarding. Some of the duties of a neonatal nurse include the following:

They are responsible for one to four babies, each presenting varying needs and challenges.

• Babies in their care are fed by them and diapers changed at intervals.
• The nurse give the babies their medications at the right time
• Monitor babies performance and inform the parents about the babies progress.
• Maintain and use technology equipment for monitoring and care of the baby.
• Tracking the weight of the infant and other important parameters.
• Order and interpret test results and recommend treatment of patients.
• Performing procedures like blood draws and intubation, and diagnostic tests like ultrasound.
• Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment and counsel patients.
• Monitoring ventilators, incubators, and other specialized equipment.
• Prescribe therapy or medication with physician approval.

• Administer therapeutic procedures.
• Provide physicians with assistance during surgery or complicated medical procedures.

Neonatal Nurse Salary

The neonatal nurse salary is quite competitive and attractive. The various employers influence the salary the neonatal nurse receives. They commonly work in specialty clinics, delivery rooms, emergency rooms, neonatal intensive care units, pediatric clinics, etc.

Payscale puts the salary range between $65,119 – $121,514 annually and $32.11 – $60.14 per hour. This may be affected by geographical location, skills, level of education, training, certifications, reputation and employer.

A projected 26% growth in job vacancies is expected between 2010 and 2020 (Source: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics)

The interest in neonatal nursing might be low, it is one of the highest paying specialization in nursing.