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Neonatal nurse vs critical care nurse

The differences between neonatal nurses and critical care nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a critical care nurse has an average salary of $76,788, which is higher than the $71,497 average annual salary of a neonatal nurse.

The top three skills for a neonatal nurse include patients, BLS and NRP. The most important skills for a critical care nurse are patients, BLS, and acls.

Neonatal nurse vs critical care nurse overview

Neonatal NurseCritical Care Nurse
Yearly salary$71,497$76,788
Hourly rate$34.37$36.92
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs387,140594,859
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4444
Years of experience2-

Neonatal nurse vs critical care nurse salary

Neonatal nurses and critical care nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Neonatal NurseCritical Care Nurse
Average salary$71,497$76,788
Salary rangeBetween $41,000 And $122,000Between $45,000 And $130,000
Highest paying CityBerkeley, CAPalo Alto, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonCalifornia
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyDignity Health
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between neonatal nurse and critical care nurse education

There are a few differences between a neonatal nurse and a critical care nurse in terms of educational background:

Neonatal NurseCritical Care Nurse
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Neonatal nurse vs critical care nurse demographics

Here are the differences between neonatal nurses' and critical care nurses' demographics:

Neonatal NurseCritical Care Nurse
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 10.6% Female, 89.4%Male, 18.9% Female, 81.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 9.3% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between neonatal nurse and critical care nurse duties and responsibilities

Neonatal nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage infants in incubators, on conventional ventilators, oscillator, inhale nitric oxide, cooling cap therapy, phototherapy.
  • Implement nursing interventions using evidence base practice to achieve desire patient outcome in collaboration with the NICU interdisciplinary team
  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Respond rapidly to codes & successfully administer CPR.
  • Assist the charge nurse with CPR classes to the parents through interpretation & instruction.
  • Care of the infant requiring mechanical ventilation, oxygen support and numerous medications to maintain quality of life.
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Critical care nurse example responsibilities.

  • Interpret laboratory results, EKG readings, cardiac monitors, managing medication drips, and ventilator settings.
  • Monitor chemotherapy and administration of oral chemo medication, obtain laboratory specimens to manage client status via central lines.
  • Work on the general units of rehabilitation, geriatrics, and telemetry.
  • Work in critical care floors ranging from MICU to SICU to regular ICU.
  • Perform emergency medical procedures such as BLS, ACLS, and other condition stabilizing interventions.
  • Care for patients with a wide variety of critical illnesses and are CCRN certify for many years.
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Neonatal nurse vs critical care nurse skills

Common neonatal nurse skills
  • Patients, 26%
  • BLS, 21%
  • NRP, 12%
  • Direct Patient Care, 6%
  • Resuscitation, 4%
  • IV, 4%
Common critical care nurse skills
  • Patients, 31%
  • BLS, 11%
  • Acls, 8%
  • Life Support, 5%
  • Quality Care, 3%
  • Compassion, 3%

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