how long do u have to got to school to be a neonatal nurse? how much do u get paid? what exactly do u have to do? thanx, i was just wondering these things cuz i think i want to be one

If I am not mistaken, there is no real specialty for a RN. You go through the basic nursing programs (ADN, BSN) that all nurses go through. Once out with your license, it is just a matter of being hired in that field. You can put specialty in your nursing, but it comes along with Continued Education courses that you take while an RN. For example, my mom works strictly with brain injuries in a rehab hospital. She got certification to become certifited rehabilitation RN. Anyhoo, what i am getting at is you don't go to a specialty school, or go for longer. It is all nursing school.

I don't know how much they get paid, a lot of would depend on where you work. If you are in Illinois, you won't make as much as you would if you were in LA. Cost of living is a big factor in how much a nurse gets paid.

As far a neonatal nursing duties, well, I am not a nurse yet, but I have a great deal of knowledge, but don't feel knowledgable enough to give you any informed info. I suggest doing a search on yahoo or something. There may be someone else around these boards though who would feel more qualified to tell you exactly what neonatal nurses do.
That is one field I would love to get into: but like any other popular fields of nursing, it is not always easy to get in. Sometimes you have to wait a long time and work your way up.
Well, good luck to you and I hope this helps answer your questions a little.
Mel

I do know that in the state of Florida, you only have to be an R.N. and when you're hired, for example by a hospital, they'll ask you what specialty you want to go in and, if they have an opening, they'll put you there. I know when I'm done with school, I would like to become a neonatal RN. I also know that in Florida, for neonatal RN's, they start you off at about $40.00/hr. Anytime you go into a "specialty" or a high risk part of the hospital, the pay is going to be higher.