What is a NICU Nurse?
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurse is a registered nurse with specialized training in the care of newborn babies. NICU nurses commonly are the primary caregivers to babies born prematurely and to those with diagnosed, severe health concerns prior to birth. These nurses also care for ill newborns that require hospitalization due to health problems resulting from delivery complications. NICU nurse positions generally require a registered nurse license, but individual hospitals and regions may require additional training and certifications by law or policy. These nurses typically find work in the neonatal intensive care unit of a hospital.