Can't find many NNP programs anymore - What's going on?

Specialties NICU

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Hey guys,

I'm currently preparing for nursing school, but my long-term dream job is to be a NICU nurse and eventually an NNP. I know it's a ways off, but I'm just curious if anyone has heard anything about several NNP programs closing? I can only find a handful searching Google, and many seem to be phasing out their MSN programs in favor of DNP programs, or just no longer offering an NNP track at all. Even many of the programs on the NNP programs thread on this board are no longer offered. I know the push for the DNP implementation by 2015 is around, but I'm kind of concerned by how most of the programs seem to be disappearing completely! Does anyone have any insight? Thanks!

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Specializes in MSN, FNP-BC.

Vanderbilt and Stony Brook still have theirs. I also believe that the University of Missouri Kansas City and UC Denver still have theirs as well.

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Specializes in NICU.

University of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson University still have their programs. I also have this plan in my future, but I know that DNP will have to be my ultimate goal.

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Specializes in NICU.

It's been a trend I've noticed...Columbia and UCSF have closed their programs and I have it on high authority that some other well-known universities are planning to phase out or go to every other year offering.

The online thing is flourishing, but I feel like it can seriously undercutting our education because you have to set up your own clinical sites in most cases and no guesses if they actually want to actually teach you so who knows if you're getting a good experience...I chose my NNP program mostly because they are brick/mortar and set up all my clinical sites. Just had my first semester of clinical and it's been absolutely phenomenal.

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Indianapolis just began offering two new programs at different schools. IUPUI and University of Indianapolis. Within the last year or so.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

East Carolina University offers it online, but the catch is that you have to complete all your clinicals in the state of NC.

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East Carolina University offers it online, but the catch is that you have to complete all your clinicals in the state of NC.

No you don't. You can complete your clinical in whichever state you live in, however there is an expectation that you do much of the legwork in setting them up.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.
No you don't. You can complete your clinical in whichever state you live in, however there is an expectation that you do much of the legwork in setting them up.

Maybe that's just the FNP/AGNP concentration, then. Pretty clearly stated on their website that they won't accept applicants unless the applicant commits to completing the clinical components in NC. If that's not the case with the NNP program, my apologies.

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It depends on if the program is set up to be on-line. But beware - the biggest difficulty I'm finding is that my state (apparently one of 20) requires the university to be approved before I can do the clinicals in my state. I've had a hard time finding schools that are willing to go through the extra legwork (like UMKC). Check with your BON or DOH for what on-line programs are "approved."

Oh, and the DNP requirement is just a recommendation - I talked to the head of the AACN this fall and she said it would be several years before it would be instituted. The biggest university in my state went to all DNP for NNPs and then are no longer offering the program!

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One of the factors that I know of for a fact, is that NNP's are not being as utilized as much in hospitals. The use of an NNP would depend on how many medical schools and access to residents in a geographical area. Also, not every hospital has a NICU and think about how many each of them need..not many.

I think many graduate nursing programs went overboard converting all of their MSN programs to DNP only..and many of them have seen a major slide in admissions.

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Specializes in NICU.

Jory, I've read the opposite because pediatric programs are now no longer required to have 3 months in the NICU, only 2. I've heard that NNPs will be more in demand...not the other way around. What is actually exploding in terms of numbers are neonatal PAs. I think they will answer the national shortage of neonatal providers...

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/779493

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Jory, I've read the opposite because pediatric programs are now no longer required to have 3 months in the NICU, only 2.

I agree that there will be an increasing need for NNPs. The Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification & Education requires that

APRNs are educated in one of the four roles and in at least one of six population foci: family/individual across the lifespan, adult-gerontology, neonatal, pediatrics, women's health/gender-related or psych/mental health.

This is the reason for the increasing number of ACPNP programs. Similar, neither a PNP or ACPNP would be allowed to continue to practice in the NICU.

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