NICU

NEONATOLOGIST: A neonatologist is a physician with additional training in treating newborn babies that need special care.  They are able to evaluate, stabilize and treat infants who require medical intervention, including premature babies, babies who need help to breathe at birth, and babies born with life-threatening medical conditions.  Neonatologists typically work in hospital NICU units.  

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NURSE: Nurses provide most of the day-to-day assessment and care of babies in the NICU. They work closely with parents and with neonatology to ensure the best care for the babies under their care.  Depending on a nurse's certification level, neonatal nurses can work in many different levels of NICUs.

RESPIRATORY THERAPY: Respiratory therapists manage respiratory equipment such as ventilators and CPAP machines to make sure they are functioning according to doctors’ orders. They may also provide breathing treatments.  

OCCUPATIONAL/PHYSICAL THERAPY:  Premature babies require special positioning to promote healthy growth and development, may need special help to make sure they are learning to eat well and may benefit from infant massage. Occupational Therapists (OTs) and physical therapists (PTs) provide these services. 

PEDIATRICIAN:  A pediatrician is a specialized doctor who focuses on the health of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. Pediatricians' work starts as early as birth and up through a child's 21st birthday or longer.  Pediatricians manage the physical, behavioral, and mental care of their patients.  They work to diagnose and treat common childhood illnesses and injuries.

All doctors must at least complete an undergraduate degree from a four-year college or university, plus four additional years of graduate school at an accredited medical school. Graduating from medical school is required for obtaining a Medical Doctorate degree (M.D.), or a Doctorate of Osteopathy degree (D.O.). A Neonatologist typically spends 3 years in a residency in general pediatrics and then spends an additional 3 years training in a neonatal intensive care unit.

There are three educational paths to becoming a nurse. A diploma from an accredited nursing program or hospital (CNA, LPN), an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN – a two-year program), or a bachelor’s degree (Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or BSN). Nurses are involved with nearly all aspects of a patient’s care. Schedules and duties vary based on the type and level of the nursing role. Nurses can be generalists or obtain Master’s degrees and additional certifications to specialize in a specific area.

To become a respiratory therapist you must have at least an associate degree.  Most programs that train people to work in this field offer bachelor’s degrees as well.  Respiratory therapy programs can be found at colleges, medical schools, and vocational schools. 

A career as a physical therapist requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy and then passing the certification exam. Like most health careers, the coursework is heavy on the sciences including biology, chemistry, and anatomy, to name a few.  There are also master’s level degrees and doctorate-level degrees available. 

A pediatrician must complete a 4-year pre-med undergraduate program followed by 4 years of medical school and 3-7 years of residency and fellowship training.   All pediatricians must have at least 12,000 to 14,000 hours of patient care hours during training. Pediatricians must also be patient and have good communication skills in order to work with children.

US Earning Potential Averages For Neonatologists: (Jobs.Utah.Gov) 

Utah Earning Potential Averages For Physical Therapists: (Jobs.Utah.Gov) 

US Earning Potential Averages For Pediatricians: (Jobs.Utah.Gov)