NICU registered nurses (RNs) are a part of the medical team that provides comprehensive care to a full spectrum of newborns, ranging from extremely premature infants, to term or near-term, high-risk and critically ill babies, to babies less critical but still recovering and maturing. In addition to providing around-the-clock care to these patients, NICU RNs offer support to the parents. This parental support can range from emotional encouragement to advising parents on how to take care of an infant when they return home.