National Neonatal Nurses Week
Providing compassionate care to newborns and support for families, these healthcare heroes play a crucial role in healthcare.
Honor neonatal nurses and drive recruitment/retention messaging while positioning healthcare organizations and educational institutions as champions of critical care professionals.
- Share neonatal nurse spotlights and patient impact stories to humanize healthcare careers
- Promote nursing degree programs and NICU career pathways to prospective students and career-changers
- Encourage healthcare employers to recognize staff with appreciation campaigns and professional development opportunities
- Partner with family support organizations to highlight the emotional labor and family-centered care that NICU nurses provide
This important appreciation event was founded by the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) in 2000. Originally starting out as Neonatal Nurses Day on September 15, it was determined in 2019 that the event should be expanded to give everyone a better chance to acknowledge and say thanks to these many neonatal nurses who make the world a better place for so many families.
Thank a Neonatal Nurse
Those who have a friend or family member who is a neonatal nurse can take National Neonatal Nurses Week as a perfect opportunity to show some love and appreciation for the dedicated work that they do. Equally, those folks whose lives have been impacted through the direct care of a child – who is perhaps born prematurely or has birth defects or other health issues – can take this week as a special opportunity to say a rousing “thank you” to a special neonatal nurse with cards, messages, gifts and more. Understand More About Neonatal Nurses Get involved with National Neonatal Nurses Week by learning a bit more about the kind work that these men and women do. Those who know a neonatal nurse can ask them about their experiences and stories. Those who are interested but don’t know one can learn by doing research. Check out some of these interesting facts to get started with:While NICU nurses are dedicated to the babies, they are equally there to help the whole family during very challenging times.The majority of babies that neonatal nurses take care of are those born prematurely.Most training for nurses in the neonatal unit occurs on the job, with approximately 4-6 months of orientation
Become a Neonatal Nurse
One excellent thing to consider during National Neonatal Nurses Week might be becoming a NICU nurse. Depending on the particular state in which they work, neonatal nurses can be trained through either an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree along with licensing as a registered nurse.