The nursing students who come in here are always afraid of the little tiny ones. It just takes a special person. Turnover is low in the special-care units of hospitals. Still, with an ongoing nursing shortage, neonatal directors are always keeping an eye out for good candidates. Compassion, confidence, patience and people skills are the qualities they look for.
Many community colleges offer two-year associate nursing degrees.
Bachelor's degrees are available at four-year colleges. Both programs give nursing students some exposure to special-care units, but no specific courses in neonatal nursing. For those wishing to specialize, schools such as the University of Washington offer master's degrees in neonatal nursing. Bette Perman, acting director of the nursing program at Shoreline Community College, said the profession is attracting fewer newcomers these days. There are several factors, including the environment.