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Why Demand for Neonatal Nurses Is Skyrocketing in 2025
Written By:
Julie Redlich, Marketing Associate
Posted On:
September 17, 2025
The NICU landscape is rapidly evolving, and the need for skilled neonatal nurses continues to grow at an unprecedented pace. For nurses considering a career in neonatal care, there has never been a better time to step into this specialty. This year, as we celebrate National Neonatal Nurses Week, we take a look at the trends behind the demand along with some of the tools designed for these special patients.
Increasing Demand for Neonatal Nurses
The demand for neonatal registered nurses is growing, driven by multiple converging factors. Increasing preterm birth rates mean more newborns require specialized care before going home. At the same time, a nationwide shortage of NICU nurses, especially in underserved areas, has fueled the need for travel nurses with neonatal expertise. Advances in neonatal technology are helping critically ill infants survive at higher rates, creating greater demand for professionals with advanced training to manage complex cases. Adding to the challenge, many experienced nurses are approaching retirement, further widening the gap and intensifying the call for skilled NICU caregivers.
Key Facts & Trends
- Preterm Birth Rates Remain High. In 2023, about 10.4% of babies in the U.S. were born prematurely—slightly up from the previous year—marking a persistently elevated rate that places ongoing pressure on NICU capacities.
- Long-Term Increase Since 2014. Preterm births have risen from 9.6% in 2014 to 10.4% in 2022, reflecting a steady upward trend during the past decade.
- Disparities by Race. Black women face significantly higher risks: 14.6% of Black babies are born preterm compared to 9.4% of White babies and 10.1% of Hispanic babies. These disparities underscore the need for culturally sensitive, high-quality NICU care.
- Worsening Health Report Cards. For the second year in a row, March of Dimes gave the U.S. a D+ grade for maternal and infant health outcomes, largely due to persistently high preterm birth rates
Rising preterm birth rates translate directly into more infants requiring intensive care. Coupled with worsening outcomes and ongoing health disparities, this fuels an urgent and growing demand for highly trained NICU nurses.
Tools for NICU Nurses
As the demand for neonatal nurses grows, so does the need for reliable, high-precision tools that support them in delivering life-saving care. In the fast-paced NICU environment, every measurement and every sound matters. That’s why ADC’s neonatal blood pressure cuffs and stethoscopes are designed with accuracy, comfort, and durability in mind. From the first vital signs check to ongoing assessments, our products are built to perform flawlessly when it matters most.
The Diagnostix™ 720 Pocket Aneroid Sphyg offers unmatched features and exceptional value. Crafted from durable 210 denier nylon, it includes an integral flap to securely hold the bladder and prevent bulging, plus our proprietary Size Guide marking system to ensure accurate cuff selection and avoid mis-cuffing. The Diagnostix provides better patient coverage, essential for the varying sizes of neonatal patients.
The Prosphyg 760 Pocket Aneroid Sphyg is our most popular sphyg, with a contemporary black enamel manometer and a meticulously designed inflation system. High quality with an affordable price tag, the 760 is a trusted tool that neonatal nurses can depend on every shift.
The Adscope 605 is specially designed for the tiniest patients, offering neonatal nurses precision and comfort in one trusted instrument. Its combination infant chestpiece, crafted from surgical stainless steel, delivers outstanding acoustic performance and durability. Patient comfort is a priority with a non-chill bell and diaphragm rim, and the comfortable Adsoft™ Plus silicone eartips with a secure snap-on design provide an excellent acoustic seal. The Adscope® 605 is a dependable choice for neonatal care professionals.
The Proscope 676 series offers an affordable yet reliable stethoscope option tailored for the smallest patients. Featuring a chrome-plated zinc combination chestpiece with a 20mm diaphragm and bell, it ensures clear sound transmission while prioritizing patient comfort with a slip-on non-chill bell ring. Its adjustable aluminum binaurals and soft PVC eartips provide a comfortable fit for the wearer. Available in 16 colors and backed by a one-year warranty, the Proscope™ 676 delivers dependable performance without stretching your budget—making it an excellent choice for neonatal nurses.
In neonatal care, every moment counts and every detail matters. Nurses are not only skilled professionals but also compassionate advocates for their smallest patients and their families, providing comfort and hope during critical times. That’s why having high-quality, dependable medical equipment is essential — tools that perform flawlessly shift after shift, so nurses can focus on what truly matters: delivering exceptional care with confidence and compassion. When the equipment is reliable, nurses can build stronger connections, support families more effectively, and help give every newborn the best possible start.