Answered by CoachT
The neonatal intensive care nurse is an advanced specialty and will likely require a BSN as well as specialized additional training and experience. This is not an entry level nursing job. "Where they clean up the baby..." is Labor and Delivery and it's more than cleaning up the baby. This is often general duty nursing so any RN program (ASN or BSN) will be sufficient but some additional (continuing education) courses will help get the job. Also in that part of the hospital is the Newborn Nursery - this is also general duty nursing and is probably the easiest path that that area. Then, there is the nurse practioner of L&D which is the Nurse Midwife. This gives the greatest autonomy but requires experience and (usually) an MSN. As for "years of college" - the ASN is 2 year, BSN is 4, and the MSN is 1-2 years after you get a BSN. Some people take a year or so longer for the ASN in order to meet prerequisite courses and remedials. Remember, "nurse" isn't a job title - it's a group of jobs that range from general duty LPN/LVN all the way up to Nurse Practioner. The education, training, and experience required for each level is different. You can enter the field as an RN with a two-year associates degree but the more advanced specialties will require additional education, experience, and training.