Neonatal Practitioner (NNP) Programs
What is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)?
In the United states nurse practitioners are also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). There are several NP specialty programs to choose from. Neonatal Nurse Practitioners specializes in the care of newborns, particularly premature infants or those with critical illnesses, congenital conditions, or complications after birth. NNPs work primarily in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and collaborate with neonatologists and other specialists to provide advanced care, including diagnosing conditions, ordering tests, prescribing medications, and supporting families during the newborn’s hospitalization. Scope of practice encompasses birth to 2 year.
In many U.S. states, Neonatal NPs practice independently, which expands access to care in both urban and rural areas. However, the scope of practice can vary depending on the state. For example, some states are considered full practice, allowing them to operate independently, while others are reduced or restricted practice, requiring physician supervision or collaboration.
Where do Neonatal nurse practitioners work?
A variety of settings, and this varies by state of course. Some examples include:
Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs)
Emergency rooms to provide immediate care to newborns
Delivery rooms – assisting in management of newborns experiencing complications at birth
Maternity wards – provision of care to newborns
Outpatient clinics – providing care to newborns
How do I become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner?
If you are thinking of becoming an NP, I highly recommend reading this post on different pathways to become an NP. After getting a BSN, you need to become a registered nurse. From there, gain as much experience as possible. If you decide to pursue a neonatal NP degree, most (if not all), programs will mandate you have 2+ years RN experience in a level III or IV NICU - so it’s important to look ahead to the future to ensure your RN experience is relevant for any future NP program. There are many different degree pathways to become an NP. Here is a visual representation of what your journey may look like:
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) Curriculum
Each program consists of a combination of clinical and non-clinical course work, plus clinical placements. Here is an example of the Case Western Reserve University Neonatal MSN program (snap shot):
Theoretical foundations
Advanced pathophysiology
Pharmacology and therapeutics for the advanced practice nurse
Health Care Delivery, Legal and Ethical Issues in Advanced Practice: Policy and Legal
The Research Process
Newborn assessment
Neonatal nurse practitioner I and II
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Becoming a Neonatal NP - Different Tracks to Choose: MSN, post-masters certificate, and DNP
In the United states, there are several Neonatal NP programs. But first, it’s important to define some terms:
BSN: bachelor's of nursing science (undergraduate degree)
MSN: masters of nursing science (masters graduate degree)
MN-NP: combined maters + nurse practitioner degree (masters graduate degree)
DNP: doctor of nursing science (some schools offer with an NP specialty) (doctoral graduate degree)
Post-masters certification: an additional certification (like an NP speciality) someone gets after completing a masters of nursing degree
When applying for an NNP program, there are 4 tracks offered. Not all universities offer every track:
Master of Science in Nursing with an NP specialty (MN-NP or MSN)
Post-masters NP (sometimes referred to as post-masters certificate)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-DNP) with an NP specialty
Masters of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN-DNP) with an NP specialty
Let’s break these down:
MN-NP programs: these are for students who do not have a master’s degree in nursing. Courses are a blend of masters & clinical courses, to prepare you to become an NP.
Post-masters programs: you require a master’s degree in nursing to apply for a post-masters program. Programs focus on core NP clinical courses to prepare you to become an NP.
BSN-DNP with an NP specialty: This is an advanced, doctoral-level nursing program for Registered Nurses (RNs) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) who want to become a specialized Nurse Practitioner (NP). These programs are typically longer e.g. 3-4 years.
MSN-DNP with an NP specialty: This is an advanced, doctoral-level nursing program for Registered Nurses (RNs) with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) who want to become a specialized Nurse Practitioner (NP). These programs are typically longer e.g. 3-4 years.
The path you choose will be unique to you. Some decide to pursue an MSN NP degree, others decide to go right from a BSN degree to a doctoral level NP program (DNP), designed for hands-on clinical practice and leadership, with an emphasis on translating research and evidence into improved patient outcomes (this is different from a PhD in nursing). Now let’s get into different program offerings across key states.
Most programs offer part and full time options.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs
Lot’s to choose from! I’ll break it down by state with key details:
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs California
Loma Linda University: BSN-DNP, hybrid, full/part time
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs Illinois
Rush University: post-masters (online), BSN-DNP (hybrid)
Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing: MSN (hybrid), BSN/MSN-DNP (online), full/part time
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs New York
University of Rochester School of Nursing: MSN, post-masters, online, full/part time
Stony Brook University, SUNY: MSN, post-masters, MSN-DNP, online, part time
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs Ohio
Kent State University: MSN, BSN/MSN-DNP hybrid, full/part time
Ohio State University: MSN, BSN-DNP online, full/part time
Wright State University: MSN, online, full/part time
Case Western Reserve University: MSN, post-masters, full/part time, hybrid
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs Pennsylvania
Thomas Jefferson University: MSN, post-masters, online, full/part time
University of Pennsylvania: MSN, hybrid, full/part time
University of Pittsburgh: post-masters, in person, full/part time
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs Texas
The University of Texas at Arlington: MSN, post-masters, hybrid, full/part time
Baylor University: BSN-DNP, online, full/part time
University of Texas El Paso: MSN, post-masters, hybrid
The University of Texas Medical Branch: MSN, online, full/part time
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs North Carolina
Duke university: MSN, online
East Carolina University: MSN, post-masters, online, full/part time
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs Alabama
University of Alabama at Birmingham: MSN, part time, online
University of South Alabama: MSN, online or in person, part/full time
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs Kansas
University of Missouri-Kansas City: MSN, hybrid, full/part time
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs Connecticut
University of Connecticut: MSN, post-masters, DNP, online, full/part time
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs Louisiana
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans: BSN-DNP, hybrid
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs Massachusetts
Northeastern University: MSN, Hybrid
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs Virginia
Old Dominion University: MSN, online, full/part time
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs Tennessee
Vanderbilt University: MSN, post-masters, hybrid, full/part time
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs Michigan
Wayne State University: MSN, full/part time, hybrid
Pre-Requisites for Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs
Specific pre-requisites vary across universities and programs, but commonly, here is what you will need for a successful application:
Bachelor of science in nursing degree (BScN)
A masters of science in nursing degree (MScN) if applying for a post-masters certificate program, and some DNP programs that do not offer the direct entry from BSN
RN license in the respective state
Minimum GPA of 3.0
RN experience – the more the better! For most programs, you are required to have 2+ years in a level III/IV NICU, within the last 3-5 years.
Official transcripts.
A CV/resume
Statement of interest
2-3 academic +/- clinical references
Others: many require an undergraduate statistics course completion with a grade of B or C
Online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs
Some universities offer online programs, both full and part time. Several highlight the need for a few on-campus “intensives.” Intensives are hands-on workshops that bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. These immersions are held at the university's physical location, are guided by expert faculty, and focus on refining advanced clinical skills. See the list above with highlighted online programs, OR 👉 Read this post for more information about online NP programs.
Key Take home Points:
Do your research on NP programs.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to university admissions offices to ask questions about the program or admission process.
Talk with nurse practitioners who have been through this process already.
Think about what you want out of your career (Do you want a serious challenge with career growth potential?)
The NP program (and career in general!) is intense and will probably be the steepest learning curve of your life. Don’t let this intimidate you – check out our newsletter to kick-start your NP journey.