Can you get a MSN/clinical specialist degree if at a Level II facility??

suzanne4, RN · Mar 19, 2005

You will be required to put in clinical hours in a Level III nursey, if going for the NNP, it will just depend on where you wish to attend school and where they are doing their clinicals.

I would worry more now about getting the best orientation that you can.

You will need at least two years of clinical experience before beginning an NNP program, at least you should have that. Most have even more.

LilPeanut, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 22, 2005

I'm doing a direct entry program for NNP. From what I've understood, we get our RN, then need to work for at least 2 years in a lvl III NICU, then we do our graduate work.

So I would assume that a non-direct entry would need the same experience in a lvl III NICU. It makes sense - you need to work with the sickest babies to be able to have an advanced practice degree.

elizabells, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2005

I'm doing a direct entry program for NNP. From what I've understood, we get our RN, then need to work for at least 2 years in a lvl III NICU, then we do our graduate work.
So I would assume that a non-direct entry would need the same experience in a lvl III NICU. It makes sense - you need to work with the sickest babies to be able to have an advanced practice degree.

:yeahthat: The federal (?) law is that you must have two years full time experience as an RN in a level III nursery prior to beginning any Master's level studies towards the NNP.

Easton518 · Mar 27, 2005

I am a NNP. Although I had Level III experience, one of my classmates had only Level II experience. However, this level II did take vents. She had no experience with HFOV, NO or ECMO. She did have to complete 600 hours of clinical time in a Level III NICU for graduation.

suzanne4, RN · Mar 27, 2005

:yeahthat: The federal (?) law is that you must have two years full time experience as an RN in a level III nursery prior to beginning any Master's level studies towards the NNP.

There is no federal law, it is up to each state to set their own requirements. It is also up to the hospital on who they wish to hire. But there is no "federal" law concerning this.

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Mar 27, 2005

There is no federal law, it is up to each state to set their own requirements. It is also up to the hospital on who they wish to hire. But there is no "federal" law concerning this.

I think this poster is referring to the NCC requirements of programs. For graduates to be able to sit for the NNP exam, the program has to include the requirement of 2 years of experience with high-risk infants. This would apply to all states. Of course, one could attend a program that was not approved by NCC, but that person would be ineligible to sit for national NNP certification, which most prospective employers require.

elizabells, BSN, RN · Mar 28, 2005

I think this poster is referring to the NCC requirements of programs. For graduates to be able to sit for the NNP exam, the program has to include the requirement of 2 years of experience with high-risk infants. This would apply to all states. Of course, one could attend a program that was not approved by NCC, but that person would be ineligible to sit for national NNP certification, which most prospective employers require.

Thank you, RN4NICU. Hence the question mark! :chuckle I looked back over my notes - it's a national requirement, not a federal law. Different schools may handle it differently - at Columbia they require two years full time in a level III before starting advanced practice clinicals.

LilPeanut, MSN, RN, NP · Apr 6, 2005

Yep, that's exactly how they handle it at OSU. They want you to be comfortable as a staff nurse in the NICU first before the graduate level clinicals. Really, for NNP especially, direct entry programs are just accellerated RN programs and then when you want to come back to school to get your NP (after your 2 years) you're already accepted.

elizabells, BSN, RN · Apr 6, 2005

Yep, that's exactly how they handle it at OSU. They want you to be comfortable as a staff nurse in the NICU first before the graduate level clinicals. Really, for NNP especially, direct entry programs are just accellerated RN programs and then when you want to come back to school to get your NP (after your 2 years) you're already accepted.

Hey Peanut, does your pgrm give you the option to work MORE than 2 years in between phases? I mean, I imagine the regulators set that number for a reason, but what if you want to stay a staff nurse longer than that? I'd hate to think I'd have to quit entirely if I decided I needed a little more time before advancing . . .

LilPeanut, MSN, RN, NP · Apr 6, 2005

That's a really good question - one I was planning on asking my advisor when I go into meet with her soon. I also wanted to know about that, or even if it just takes you longer to get a job at a level III NICU, does that screw it up etc.

elizabells, BSN, RN · Apr 6, 2005

That's a really good question - one I was planning on asking my advisor when I go into meet with her soon. I also wanted to know about that, or even if it just takes you longer to get a job at a level III NICU, does that screw it up etc.

Some schools have relationships w/ area hospitals to get the NICU jobs. They told us at Columbia that every year around April (grad. in May) the hospitals come a'callin, and they often don't have enough students to fill the requests.

Would it make me a bad person if I decided I liked staff nursing so much I didn't go back for the other part? The duh answer is no, of course not, but seriously it's keeping me up at night . . . don't tell my adviser!!! :uhoh21:

Dang, I think I just made an argument against direct entry programs...