Neonatal NP info?

Editorial Team / Admin · Mar 27, 2008

Hello and Welcome to allnurses.com

Glad to have you with us.

You will have to find an NP program with a focus as Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP). You will receive an MSN during the program and once graduated, will then sit for certification as NNP.

Here is a link to some NNP programs from allnursingschools.com. This is not all inclusive:

http://www.allnursingschools.com/featured/?hdr=1&program=neonatal-nurse-practitioner&location=nationwide

ILoveIceCream · Mar 27, 2008

Here's a list of NNP programs from the AANP website. I'm not sure when it was last updated, though (I know UCSF has an NNP program but it's not on this list).

Best of luck!

http://www.aanp.org/Education+and+Research/Nurse+Practitioner+Preparation/Nurse+Practitioner+Preparation.asp

(after entering this link select "NP Program Lists," then search)

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Mar 27, 2008

As you research, what you'll find is that you need experience as a NICU staff nurse before applying to NNP programs. It isn't like that for all NP specialties.

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Mar 27, 2008

What Eric said..... finish your BSN, if an NNP is still what you want, get a job once you graduate in a level III NICU for at least 2 years to gain some experience. (MOST NNP schools require at least a year) Then you can start grad school to get your Masters degree in Nursing as a NNP. It's taking me 27 months part time to get my MSN/NNP, but most can do it full time in 1.5 yrs.

Jade_Nolan · Mar 27, 2008

Thanks guys! That was really helpful! I would feel more comfortable with some expierence anyway. A nursing perspective and a paramedic perspective are pretty different! How can you tell if a hospital is a level III center? We have 2 hospitals here with neo units. Could they be different?

Editorial Team / Admin · Mar 27, 2008

Just ask, Jade Nolan. They can verify the level of acuity.

Good luck!!

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Mar 27, 2008

Hi Jade Nolan, you already got some great answers from the previous posters. However, since I'm also from Michigan, I can probably help you a bit too if your decision is to stay in the state for gaining NICU experience and educational preparation to become a NNP. The only NNP program in Michigan is at Wayne State University in Detroit (web link: http://www.nursing.wayne.edu/Academic%20Programs/Masters/Neonatal.html). Surprisingly, allnursingschools.com does not list this program at all and makes it look like there is no NNP program in Michigan. The AANP NP program finder is also inaccurate. Oakland University does not offer a NNP program. I personally don't know any graduate of the NNP program at Wayne State but I do know the name of the program director: http://www.nursing.wayne.edu/Faculty/Directory/ar2446fp.html. I am an ACNP graduate at Wayne so you may ask me questions about the school in general.

Of course, this may not be good if you do not live close to the Detroit area and even worse if you are on the other side of the state. It might be worth it to look into programs in neighboring states as well if that is the case. The good thing is that there are 13 hospitals in Michigan that have Level III NICU designation and they are spread out in major cities not only in Detroit but also in Grand Rapids and Lansing (source: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/MDCH_MCH_Epi_VG_PerinatalReportCorrectSept2007Rev_215949_7.pdf.) The 13 hospitals are not officially listed by name so you will have to ask a prospective hospital employer to know what their nursery level designation is.

Finally, just like to add that Detroit is probably a good place for learning neonatology as the there is a branch of the NIH focused in Perinatology based at Hutzel Women's Hospital which is part of the Detroit Medical Center System.

Jade_Nolan · Mar 27, 2008

Thank you! *cough* Yeah, I live in Grand Rapids. But Detroit is still closer than Chicago! (with less traffic too) :yeah: What would your personal opinion be with doing a program online? As far as academic classes go, I would feel very comfortable doing distance learning, but I'm concerned about any advanced practical skills knowledge without someone actually showing me. Does one do advanced skills in a manequin/lab setting, or are they aquired during clinicals?

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Mar 28, 2008

Thank you! *cough* Yeah, I live in Grand Rapids. But Detroit is still closer than Chicago! (with less traffic too) What would your personal opinion be with doing a program online? As far as academic classes go, I would feel very comfortable doing distance learning, but I'm concerned about any advanced practical skills knowledge without someone actually showing me. Does one do advanced skills in a manequin/lab setting, or are they aquired during clinicals?

Distance learning as far as NP programs go only applies to the didactic portion of the program. All clinical rotations and field experiences are face-to-face in actual clinical settings. The issue faced by students in distance learning programs is that the task of finding a preceptor is left to the students. Many of the schools do not pre-arrange clinical rotations. Being that you are in Grand Rapids, I am pretty sure that there are enough major hospitals in that city so that finding a practicing NNP or a nenonatologist who can precept will not be an issue.

You should also ask the program director at Wayne if there is a possibility for a distance learning format for their NNP program since it is the only one in existence for the entire state. I have not researched NNP programs at all because this was never a specialty of interest for me so I am not sure if there are distance programs for NNP training.

spartangal1989 · Apr 1, 2008

If you want to stay in MI, the only game in town is Wayne State University. To Become an NNP you need to attend a program that is eligible for national certification. The classes are all babies all the time :-) I am just finishing up their program and I think it is pretty good. Plus they have just started an excellerated program to get more NNPs out into the work place.

MichiganNNP · Apr 14, 2008

I am an NNP in Michigan, have worked on both sides of the state.

As people have said, you do NEED 2 yrs of Level 3 experience first, before you start the clinical portion of NNP programs. This used to be recommended, now it is required.

Many, many Level 3's in Michigan. Closest to you are DeVos, Bronson, St. Marys and Sparrow. I would recommend the highest acuity setting you can find. University of Michigan, Hutzel/Childrens, DeVos, Bronson would be my recommendations.

Just because Wayne is the only school in the state, doesn't mean it's your only option. I went to Vanderbilt, and have friends in Michigan who went to Rush and to UMKC.

Yes, you do need an MSN, and from a school with a Neonatal ICU specialty. Family practice, Pediatrics, etc will not suffice.

Feel free to send me a private message. I used to be a paramedic too!

Go for your dream....but keep in mind, you may find out you hate the NICU once you get in it. I had planned on being a midwife, and found it wasn't for me. That is one good thing about the 2 yr experience requirement.