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Old 12-02-2010, 07:31 PM
 
Location: Asheville, NC
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Are the ppl that take care of the newborns Techs or RNs? What about the sick or premature babies? What do they get paid on average?
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Old 12-02-2010, 08:04 PM
 
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Most hospitals and medical practices employ a range of medical professionals--RNs, CPNs, LPNs medical assistant. In a single newborn nursery in a hospital you are likely to find all of these at any one moment. Each has a different skillset and training, and each has a different role to play in the nursery.

"Techs" typically refers to people who are trained to operate equipment. For example a tech might be trained to operate incubators or diagnostic equipment. Their focus is generally the equipment not the patient. Obviously the patient is part of their job, but it isn't what their training or work emphasizes.

A medical assistant, just out of school in an area with a low cost of living might earn perhaps $20k. An RN with 50 years of work experience in an expensive metro area like NYC might earn ten times that. The range is so broad that it's not going to really be helpful unless you narrow down your interest a bit.

You might want to investigate the pediatric nursing certification board to learn more specifics about the different career paths available to you.
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Old 12-02-2010, 08:21 PM
 
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Taking care of sick, preemie babies, would probably be a job for more experienced nurses, with at least five years experience. Maybe LPN's, but I doubt it.
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Old 12-02-2010, 08:24 PM
 
Location: Asheville, NC
12,626 posts, read 31,921,305 times
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Originally Posted by kodaka View Post
Most hospitals and medical practices employ a range of medical professionals--RNs, CPNs, LPNs medical assistant. In a single newborn nursery in a hospital you are likely to find all of these at any one moment. Each has a different skillset and training, and each has a different role to play in the nursery.

"Techs" typically refers to people who are trained to operate equipment. For example a tech might be trained to operate incubators or diagnostic equipment. Their focus is generally the equipment not the patient. Obviously the patient is part of their job, but it isn't what their training or work emphasizes.

A medical assistant, just out of school in an area with a low cost of living might earn perhaps $20k. An RN with 50 years of work experience in an expensive metro area like NYC might earn ten times that. The range is so broad that it's not going to really be helpful unless you narrow down your interest a bit.

You might want to investigate the pediatric nursing certification board to learn more specifics about the different career paths available to you.
Thanks for the info. I was thinking a patient care technician. (Maternity tech)They are CNAs but have extended training to work in a hospital.
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Old 12-03-2010, 04:06 AM
 
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Even in the days of severe nursing shortages, there were rarely jobs in labor&delivery and newborn nursery (not NICU). People really want and like these jobs. Not me, but lots of other people, as there have rarely been any crying need for staff in those areas.
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Old 12-03-2010, 01:30 PM
 
Location: in a house
3,574 posts, read 14,307,472 times
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Originally Posted by beckycat View Post
Are the ppl that take care of the newborns Techs or RNs? What about the sick or premature babies? What do they get paid on average?
RNs usually and perhaps Clinical Nurse Specialists or Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (MDs/DOs as well) Medical Assistants are not found in acute care facilities - hosptals - unless they are also nurse assistants as well and even then in very limited roles.
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Old 12-03-2010, 05:24 PM
 
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Originally Posted by beckycat View Post
Thanks for the info. I was thinking a patient care technician. (Maternity tech)They are CNAs but have extended training to work in a hospital.
A maternity tech typically prepares instruments and the maternity ward. They will prepare the delivery room--clean and sterilize it, ensure that all necessary tools are ready and in their proper place. They handle some clerical duties. They assist the team in preparing to care for the patient, but usually they are not directly involved in patient care, or at least not more than in a minor way. And the indirect involvement is with the mother--not the baby, and not in the nursery.

Most of these positions require some sort of 'technician' training program. You may also want to investigate the career growth options for this type of job. Most only pay in the $35k range and because the training to qualify for this type of job is limited, the possibility of earning more is limited. Most advancement opportunities will require more training. It might be a way to earn a decent wage while you undergo that additional training though.
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Old 12-03-2010, 07:48 PM
 
Location: Savannah, GA
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My MIL was a labor/delivery-NICU nurse for 32 years. She originally had just her Associate's which she'd earned her RN. She did go for the BA because it meant more money, her pick of hours, going for more specialized training and to work with the NICU unit. Hard long hours, but she enjoyed it greatly. Call the local community college in your area to see what you need for a RN in your area.
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Old 12-05-2010, 06:44 PM
 
Location: Asheville, NC
12,626 posts, read 31,921,305 times
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Originally Posted by CampingMom View Post
My MIL was a labor/delivery-NICU nurse for 32 years. She originally had just her Associate's which she'd earned her RN. She did go for the BA because it meant more money, her pick of hours, going for more specialized training and to work with the NICU unit. Hard long hours, but she enjoyed it greatly. Call the local community college in your area to see what you need for a RN in your area.
That is my daughter's final intention. The list for nursing school is very long.
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Old 12-05-2010, 08:05 PM
 
Location: Savannah, GA
1,492 posts, read 3,635,227 times
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Originally Posted by beckycat View Post
That is my daughter's final intention. The list for nursing school is very long.
Same for my daughter-she's trying to get into the program here at the local community college. There's only 80 spots total for the program and there is more than double that trying to apply. She's decided to enlist-she's talking with the recruiter this week-to the military. She feels that's the only way she's going to get where she wants to go for a career-and not keep being wait listed. She's turning 21 next month and wants to start her life-not be a professional student. It takes 4 years at our 2 year college to complete the program-if they have openings and at least a 3.7 average to get in.
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