What would I need in order to become a NICU doctor/nurse/physician?

Question

OK I'd LIKE to be a doctor but idk what the technical name for it is, so what is it. I know it starts with NICU (newborn intensive care unit) but everytime i see the on the health channel its something different, are there doctors in NICU or just nurses? id like to be a doctor or physician but if I can't then I'll be a nurse. I'm so scared I'll never find out what courses I need to take, would I need the same as a normal doctor/nurse in order to be it.

And what about a labor and delivery nurse? What exactly do they do besides help the mom through labor. I want to be one of those 2 things, more of the NICU. It's my dreamjob since I was like 5 lol. Oh btw I'm almost 17 )next month) and I'm in 11th grade

Answer 1

I was interested in Neonatology too. Here's the best description of the proffession you can find online. They talk about What neonatology is, required education, other careers at the unit, etc.

http://www.neonatology.org/career/defaul...

Answer 2

well that's a great thing to become. someone who helps people. you should go to a local hospital and ask what it is. good luck. :)

Answer 3

Neonatalogists take care of sick newborns and premature infants.

Nursing school is very easy to find info on ... just ask your school .. they will help you sort through that ...

If you really feel like you want to commit a long and ardous curriculum to become a doctor .... again ... your school counselors can help you ...

Answer 4

A Neonatologist is a doctor that works in the NICU with very sick and preemie babies but they also care for women with high risk pregnancies. It's a very specialized area of medicine, so most likely you will not only have to go to pre-med for 4yrs, medical school for 4yrs. But then you'll have to do a residency, internship, and most likely a fellowship. My brother is a pediatric trauma surgeon and he had to spend 9yrs after med school in training. You probably won't have to spend that long, but it will be a long road. I say go for it though! It's one of the most rewarding jobs. Saving lives is very noble. And of course saving the lives of our most fragile and vulnerable is outstanding.

If that seems to much, you can become a NICU nurse. They are just as responsible for the babies as the doctors in the NICU. My son was in the NICU and I don't know what I would have done without those nurses. They were so wonderful with me and to my son. They really are life savers. Any one of those jobs would be great. Check out the nursing program at your local University and see if they have that specialty.

Good luck with your future endeavors.