I know i want to go to nursing school, but is their a specific name for a nurse who works with babies?

well i am planning on going for my rn im applying for fall quarter at cincinnati state hopefully.
anywho
do i just go for my basic RN.??
because i would like to work with babies, maybe in the NICU, or for instance after the baby is delivered, with weighing etc. things like that.
um is this basic RN or something else?
just curious thanks

Mizzme,

The nurses who work in the newborn nursery are usually RNs, though some hospitals prefer to have the RNs have some experience on a general pediatric or medical-surgical floor prior to starting in the NBN, After working in the NBN the nurse will usually advance into the NICU. There is no specific educational process at most facilities, but a preceptorship/orientation phase is usually part of the process. Also most RNs who work in this area are required to be PALS certified as well as CPR certified.

RNs who work in the newborn areas are called neonatal nurses. Nurses who go into advanced practice as a nurse practitioner in this area require a master degree which is taken after completion of the BSN. The MSN is usually a 24 month program at most schools, though a few 18 month programs still exist. These advanced practice nurses are Neonatal Nurse Practitioners. (Many get dual degrees as pediatric and neonatal nurse practitioners)

pediatric nurse or ob/gyn nurse, this is a specialty, and you can take specific classes for that.

A wet nurse.

The name is Pediatric nurse or labor and delivery nurse.

Choices: It is best if you go for your RN degree and the reason for that is they are trying to change the rules where LPNs (below RN 1.5 years in length) who are not grandfathered in need to get their RN license & nurses with an Associate degree (2 years but still RN) need their BSN. Nurses who have their BSN RN (4 year degree) can transition easily into becoming a nurse practitioner(NP) which takes an additional 1.5 years if you go full-time. If you decide to be an NP then you can specialize you will be one step below a doctor & above a PA (physician Assistant).

Hope that helps

US_DR_JD is correct. I will further add that depending on the model of nursing the individual hospital uses, not all will have a designated Newborn Nursery Nurse. Many hospitals have the RN provide couplet care for both the postpartum mother and her newborn. It's important to find out the model of care the facility you're applying at uses so you know what you're signing up for.

Working in labor & delivery is a good experience in learning to care for the newborn immediately after birth. You learn Neonatal Resuscitation, all kinds of high risk conditions, and how to perform key assessments. It's a good prep for moving on to a Level II Nursery (a step-down from NICU) or into the NICU.

Keep in mind that NICU is a whole different kind of care, it is a critical care environment and there will be some very difficult cases you would be dealing with on a daily basis. It would be very hard to go into this environment as a new grad, even though some will hire you as a new grad.

I strongly recommend getting experience in a less critical environment and easing yourself into progressively more challenging work environments. Good luck!