Healthy newborn baby is identified by physical and physiological characteristics. Neonatal assessment is important for early identification of problems and risk factors and for prompt initiation of appropriate management. Basic care of neonates, home based care and care of minor problems of newborn infants are mostly managed by neonatal nurse. Newborn infant are at risk for various health problems. Their morbidity and mortality rates are very high. Improvement of neonatal health can be possible through appropriate prevention and management of neonatal health problems like, low birth weight, birth asphyxia, hypothermia, infections, hyperbilirubinemia, birth injuries, seizures, bleeding disorders, metabolic disorders etc. Special management of high risk neonatal conditions like preterm baby, infant of diabetic mother and neonate of HIV positive mother are very important for reduction of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Neonatal survival and quality of life depends up on skilled neonatal resuscitation at birth, management of post-asphyxia consequences, infection control practices at neonatal care unit, and special care of sick neonates with expert supportive nursing measures. Early identification of minor problems and high risk neonatal conditions with appropriate referral and transportation of sick neonates for facility based care at different levels of neonatal care are very essential for prevention of long term complications and reduction of neonatal mortality rare. Neonatal nurses are key persons to provide essential newborn care and facility based neonatal care in all levels of health care delivery system with simple cost effective low-tech humanized approach.