Neonatal Nurse Courses
Neonatal Nurses specialise in caring for premature and ill infants in NICUs, administering treatments, supporting parents, and conducting tests.
AI Exposure
Medium
AI exposure data adapted from Felten, Raj & Seamans (2021). Shortage data sourced from Jobs and Skills Australia (2024).
View all courses
How do I become a Neonatal Nurse
Get qualified to work as a Neonatal Nurse with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.
Estimated fee
From $13,875
Duration
24 months - 3 years
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online
The Bachelor of Nursing provides students with a foundational understanding of nursing practice and healthcare. This course combines theoretical knowledge with practical experiences, preparing graduates to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care in various healthcare settings. Emphasising ethical practice, patient safety, and clinical excellence, the curriculum covers key aspects of patient care, health assessment, and medical interventions. Upon completion, graduates are equipped to pursue a rewarding...
Career opportunities
Estimated fee
From $13,875
Duration
24 months - 3 years
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online
Find a provider
The Graduate Certificate in Health (Paediatric Nursing) develops specialised knowledge for registered nurses caring for children from infancy to adolescence. It supports critical engagement with current issues in paediatric care across local and international contexts. Nurses build skills to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, focusing on general, emergency, and intensive paediatric care. This course also provides a pathway to further study in health-related fields and supports career develop...
Career opportunities
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online
The Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) is designed for graduates of the Bachelor of Nursing, providing an opportunity to expand their research skills and understanding. This course emphasises the vital connection between nursing research and practical nursing environments. It offers nursing graduates a path to develop expertise in clinically-focused research, enhancing their ability to contribute to the nursing field. The course deepens students' insight into the significance of research in improving nursi...
Career opportunities
Study mode
Blended, On Campus, Online
Find a provider
The Graduate Diploma of Health (Neonatal Care) prepares registered nurses and midwives to care for unwell newborns in Special Care Nursery settings. It supports professionals in rural or remote areas who provide neonatal care during or after birth. This qualification strengthens clinical skills and knowledge in neonatology, helping practitioners deliver safe, quality care to compromised or critically ill neonates. It is ideal for those seeking to refresh or advance their practice in this specialised field.
Career opportunities
View all
Related career opportunities
Browse occupations related to Neonatal Nurse.
Common questions
How much do Neonatal Nurses earn?
The average salary for registered Neonatal Nurses is $1,750 per week ($91,000 per annum). Increase your earning capacity by undertaking post-graduate qualifications in midwifery, neonatal care, and critical care nursing.
What are the job opportunities for Neonatal Nurses?
There are 325,500 Registered Nurses (RNs) currently employed in Australia, some of these are Neonatal Nurses. They are employed by hospitals in the nursery wards and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
How do I become a Neonatal Nurse?
You can launch your career as a Neonatal Nurse with a Bachelor of Nursing, and then registering with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Once you are a qualified Registered Nurse (RN) you will need post-graduate qualifications such as a Graduate Certificate in Neonatal Care or the Graduate Certificate in Neonatal Intensive Care. It is also helpful to obtain a Graduate Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing and Master of Advanced Clinical Nursing.
Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights 2023
Choose a field of study
Healthcare and medicine are growing sectors, and demand is high for working professionals in these areas. Browse accredited health courses and health qualifications.
All courses
Begin a rewarding career in Aboriginal health care, improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Career opportunities
View all
Allied health training is designed for students looking for careers supporting physiotherapists, occupational therapists, radiographers and other health professionals.
Career opportunities
View all
Learn more about human physiology while empowering your patients to contribute to their own wellbeing through better nutrition, spiritual practices, and lifestyle choices.
Career opportunities
View all
More information
Neonatal Nurses are specialist nurses who care for premature babies and infants with medical conditions in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), as well as healthy newborns in the first month of their life. They administer medications, undertake specialist feedings, advise parents, and carry out a range of diagnostic and screening tests.
As a Neonatal Nurse you could be checking the incubator and other NICU specialist equipment, feeding a premature baby with a tube, advising a new mother on the health status of her newborn baby, helping a new mother with feeding and changing, inserting an IV line for fluid intake, informing the doctor of a change to a baby’s core vitals, or updating patient records.
Neonatal nursing is a very joyful and rewarding occupation, but it can also be very stressful. Apart from meticulous technical nursing skills, to succeed you’ll need a natural affinity for infants and newborn babies and the ability to make clear decisions in an emergency.
Courses by location