How to Become a NICU Nurse (2026): Education, Certification & Salary

What Does a NICU Nurse Do?

Neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU, nurses provide care for less-than-healthy newborns. It can be a demanding, but fulfilling, role that can lead to higher pay and more career opportunities. As a highly specialized role, NICU nurses are required to have training and certifications in addition to an associates or bachelors degree from an accredited school like Joyce University.

No two days are the same for a NICU nurse. Their responsibilities range from providing patient care to helping with feeding and changing diapers. Caring for critically ill babies is challenging, but the role can also be incredibly rewarding. As the name implies, NICU nurses work in the neonatal or newborn intensive care unit of hospitals or clinics, checking for complications, and administering medicine. 

NICU nurses have strong career prospects. With a rise in babies being admitted to neonatal intensive care units and a shortage of qualified nursing professionals, the demand for NICU nurses continues to grow. They generally take home a healthy six figure average salary. However, getting into this in-demand career field requires specialized training and education.

Keep reading to learn about what a NICU nurse does, expected salary, and career opportunities, and discover the steps you need to take to become one. 

Responsibilities and Daily Tasks

NICU nurses work in the neonatal intensive care units of hospitals. If a baby is born prematurely, with a low birth weight, or with medical complications, these specialized units provide monitoring, treatment, and support.

NICUs use advanced technology and highly-trained specialists to help high-risk newborns. Ventilators, monitors, IVs, and incubators all help ensure the best possible outcome for infants. Staff work around the clock to prevent infections, regulate temperature, and prepare newborns and their family for life outside the hospital. 

Among their day-to-day responsibilities, NICU nurses:

• Care for babies, including feeding, bathing, and changing diapers
• Provide medicine, treatments, and therapies
• Monitor vitals and watch for signs of distress
• Educate parents on care and treatment
• Coordinate treatment with other staff
• Document everything

Beyond these more practical responsibilities, NICU nurses should also be prepared to provide emotional support throughout the stay of newborns and their families. The NICU is an incredibly challenging setting for families, and nurses often need to encourage parents, provide hope and an empathetic ear, and advocate for their patients’ needs.

Where Do NICU Nurses Work?

NICU nurses primarily work in hospital, clinic, or medical center settings. NICU nurses work in hospitals with designated levels of neonatal care, from basic to advanced, that indicate the types of newborn conditions and treatment capabilities available.The experience of working at a smaller community hospital with a Level I or II NICU can be totally different from working in a regional children’s medical center with a Level III or IV. In smaller healthcare facilities, NICU nurses may be required to support multiple maternal-newborn units. Larger hospitals typically offer more specialized NICU roles with less need to float to other departments. 

Here’s a brief overview of the different NICU levels and the care they may provide:

• Level I (Well-Newborn Nursery)
  Provides basic care for healthy, full-term infants and can stabilize newborns with unexpected complications before transfer to a higher level of care. NICU nurses are not typically required in Level I settings, though staffing models may vary in smaller hospitals.
• Level II (Special Care Nursery)
  Cares for moderately ill or premature infants who require closer monitoring or short-term respiratory support and are expected to improve without the need for advanced intensive care.
• Level III (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
  Provides comprehensive intensive care for very premature or critically ill newborns. Infants in Level III NICUs may require prolonged life support, mechanical ventilation, advanced imaging, and care from pediatric medical subspecialists.
• Level IV (Regional NICU)
  Offers the highest level of neonatal care. In addition to all Level III capabilities, Level IV NICUs have 24/7 access to pediatric surgical specialists and can perform complex surgeries and advanced interventions for critically ill infants.

While becoming a nurse for either level of NICU requires training, higher level NICU units may require additional experience and certifications.

Steps to Become a Neonatal Nurse

Step 1 – Earn Your Nursing Degree (ASN or BSN)

Becoming a NICU nurse involves training and experience. As specialists providing intensive care, NICU nurses must have a degree from an accredited institution, like Joyce University. These programs provide training in nursing, anatomy, and biology, ensuring nurses have a solid foundation of knowledge as they begin treating patients. It is possible to earn a degree and start working toward a NICU career in as little as 20 months.

You should consider these programs if you’re looking to become a NICU nurse:

• Associate of Science in Nursing – Can you be a NICU nurse with an associate’s degree? Yes! An associate’s degree is a solid start to any nursing career. You will require additional training or certifications to become a NICU nurse, but with an ASN you can quickly get experience, and a job, in real medical settings. ASN programs through Joyce University can often be completed within 20 months, or 5 semesters.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing – A bachelor’s degree provides a great starting point for nursing specialties, like becoming a neonatal nurse. With a comprehensive set of courses and hands-on training, you’ll be prepared to work as a nurse and to pursue advanced training and certifications. Many BSN programs can be completed in 3-4 years, but an accelerated program can be finished in as little as 20 months.
• Masters of Science in Nursing – A master’s degree in nursing can prepare you for advanced certifications and roles in leadership, education, or advanced clinical practice. Nurses who complete a specialized neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) MSN track can provide advanced care to high-risk infants. 

Step 2 – Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam & Get Licensed

Once you’ve completed your courses and clinicals, there are still additional steps to becoming a NICU nurse. You’ll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination, or the NCLEX-RN. This exam certifies that you have the knowledge and competency to practice nursing. While your nursing program should prepare you for the NCLEX, you may also want to study and practice to be prepared.

After passing the NCLEX-RN, there are still more requirements to be a NICU nurse. First, you’ll need to secure a nursing license from your state. Each state has different specific requirements, but they may often require a background check and fingerprinting.

Step 3 – Gain Clinical Experience in NICU

NICU units need nurses with real experiences providing pediatric care. Working for a pediatrician or a delivery unit can help you gain experience caring for children in a less intensive environment, but if you want to get started in the NICU right away, consider an internship or residency. These programs can help you build the skills, relationships, and experience you need to thrive as a neonatal nurse.

Step 4 – Get Certified in NICU Nursing

Beyond your degree, NCLEX certification, and clinical experience, additional certifications in NICU nursing can show your dedication, knowledge, and competency. These certifications can lead to better career options and more advanced roles. Here are some of the certifications to consider for a career in NICU nursing:

• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) – The NRP provides advanced training for resuscitating newborns, an essential skill in a NICU unit. This certification is considered mandatory for many neonatal nurses.
• RNC Certification for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing (RNC-NIC) – The RNC-NIC tests specialty knowledge, providing a comprehensive examination to ensure that NICU nurses are prepared for the unique challenges they will face.
• CCRN (Neonatal) – The CCRN (Neonatal) is a specialty certification that verifies experience providing care for critically-ill neonatal patients.

How Much Do NICU Nurses Make?

As medical professionals, NICU nurses have a very solid earning potential. In 2025, the average salary for a NICU nurse in the U.S. is $127,391.

Salaries vary from state-to-state based on cost of living and local economies, but NICU nurses make an average of six figures in the vast majority of states. The top 5 paying areas for NICU nurses are: 

• Washington – $144,283
• District of Columbia – $143,955
• New York – $139,370
• Massachusetts – $139,127
• Alaska – $137,193

Career Outlook for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses

Job Demand & Growth in 2025

Medical professionals are almost always in demand, and nurses are no different. With large decreases in the supply of nurses and projected shortages of tens of thousands by 2030, we need qualified NICU professionals, and their career opportunities will continue to grow.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be a 6% growth in the employment of nurses from 2023 to 2033. This makes nursing one of the fastest growing occupations in the U.S. Specialty nurses, like NICU nurses, have incredible opportunities to secure lasting, lucrative careers as this demand grows.

Best Specializations & Advanced Roles for NICU Nurses

With their training and certifications, NICU nurses can easily adapt to advanced nursing specialization and roles, and building experience in such an intensive environment can prepare NICU nurses for leadership and educational opportunities as well. An experienced NICU nurse can become a nurse manager or nurse educator, helping to guide their unit and train the next generation of nurses. 

Neonatal nurses can also seek out advanced positions such as a neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) or a clinical nurse specialist (CNS). While these roles require additional training and experience, they also provide strong career opportunities and greater responsibility for patient care.

• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) – Neonatal nurse practitioners provide critical care for high-risk patients, along with support and education for families.
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) – Clinical nurse specialists provide diagnosis, treatment, and management for patients, especially those suffering acute or chronic illnesses.

Your Path to Becoming a NICU Nurse Starts Today

If you’re ready for a challenging, fulfilling, and well-paid career in NICU nursing, it’s time to get started. Joyce University offers ASN, BSN, and MSN programs to get you ready for a nursing career in as little as 20 months. We offer convenient online classes with hands-on labs and clinicals for real experience. Our programs will ensure you’re prepared for the NCLEX-RN exam and the actual challenges of working as a nurse.

Contact us today to get started.