College student needing some more info about NNPs... Please help!!!

sunnysideup09 · Sep 23, 2005

Since you will have a bachelors degree in something other than nursing, you can bridge into an RN program that is usually accelerated. In order to become a NNP, you must have 2 years full time experience in a NICU, preferably Level 3. This is a new requirement; no getting around it. You could start out in a MSN program for neonatal nurse practitioners without the 2 years, but in order to start the clinicals, you'd have to have 2 yrs under your belt. It takes 2 years to become an NNP if going full time. Going part time, about 3 years. Your best bet is to finish with you bachelors now, bridge into an RN program (could take as little as 1 yr going FT), take the NCLEX and pass, get a job in NICU, and then apply for the MSN program. Some nursing programs for NNP won't accept your application if you don't have 2 yrs. Also, remember to keep your GPA up unless you want to take the GRE to get into a NNP program. There are a few programs that waive the GRE for a high GPA. Better have a plan...there is talk about the NNP program becoming PhD program vs MSN. I myself am applying to various NNP programs right now. If I think back on starting a MSN only 2 years after becoming a nurse, I don't think I'd personally be successful The years at the bedside (5 yrs so far) have been very helpful. I can operate at the NNP level now since I am already trained to do NNP procedures since I am a neonatal flight nurse also.

Best of luck in what you decide. It's a hard decision to make. Stonybrook has an accelerated program there and also have a NNP program. I've heard good things about their program.

Christine, RNC, BSN

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hey everybody,
im a junior at stonybrook university majoring in psychology. At first, i wanted to become a neonatologist, but now i would really love to become a NNP. My school has a 1 year BS program for students who have already gotten their BS. I have been looking up information on NNP, and scanning through the different threads here but i still have a few more questions.
1.Since i am first recieving a BS in psychology (bio n chem concentration), will it be harder for me to get into a nursing program? and are there other schools that offer programs to people who have a BS in something other than Nursing.
2. I am a bit unsure about my path to become a NNP. I know that i will need to get into a program to become an RN, but is there any special program i need to get into or is it any Nursing school?
3. About how many years should it take to become a full NNP?
4.would it be wise to start working as an RN once i get that degree/certification and go to school (for NNP) at the same time? or just do school...
Well those are the questions.. please please please, help me out here... i know i got a lot of time left in school but i really want to get my path straight and know how/what i have to do. Thanks so much for all your help...

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 23, 2005

Since you will have a bachelors degree in something other than nursing, you can bridge into an RN program that is usually accelerated. In order to become a NNP, you must have 2 years full time experience in a NICU, preferably Level 3. This is a new requirement; no getting around it. You could start out in a MSN program for neonatal nurse practitioners without the 2 years, but in order to start the clinicals, you'd have to have 2 yrs under your belt. It takes 2 years to become an NNP if going full time. Going part time, about 3 years. Your best bet is to finish with you bachelors now, bridge into an RN program (could take as little as 1 yr going FT), take the NCLEX and pass, get a job in NICU, and then apply for the MSN program. Some nursing programs for NNP won't accept your application if you don't have 2 yrs. Also, remember to keep your GPA up unless you want to take the GRE to get into a NNP program. There are a few programs that waive the GRE for a high GPA. Better have a plan...there is talk about the NNP program becoming PhD program vs MSN. I myself am applying to various NNP programs right now. If I think back on starting a MSN only 2 years after becoming a nurse, I don't think I'd personally be successful The years at the bedside (5 yrs so far) have been very helpful. I can operate at the NNP level now since I am already trained to do NNP procedures since I am a neonatal flight nurse also.
Best of luck in what you decide. It's a hard decision to make. Stonybrook has an accelerated program there and also have a NNP program. I've heard good things about their program.
Christine, RNC, BSN

:yeahthat:

I was already to respond, but, nicumom75 said it best.

babycheekz420 · Sep 23, 2005

Nicumom75 i want to thank u for sending such speedy replies... you answered sooo many of my questions n i just wanted to say thanks. i did have a couple more questions regarding what you said.

1.are there any other schools in the Northeast area besides stonybrook that offer programs for people with BS degrees in something other than nursing?

2.i am looking for a job related to NNP...would my best bet be to volunteer at a hospital?

Thanks a lot again n i hope u all can help me a lil bit more...

PS thanx 2 u 2 siri for ur response...

sddlnscp · Sep 23, 2005

Well, there are people here far more educated on this than I am, so hopefully someone with more knowledge will stop by soon. :)

I know there are accelerated programs for people who already have a Bachelor's that allow you to receive a BSN in less time than the traditional method.

From what people have told me (also wanting to some day be a NNP - I think), you start out in any nursing program to become a RN. You can go through an ADN program, but eventually you will have to have a BSN because the NNP requires a Master's degree. Once you are a RN, you will need to work with neonates for a few years before you attempt to get into the MSN program and become a NP (although not always required, this is highly recommended). The ADN program usually takes about 2-3 yrs. after pre-reqs are completed. The BSN program seems to be 4-5 years (although I don't know about the accelerated programs). Then, the MSN program is usually an additional 2 - 3 yrs. So, depending on the difference in time for the accelerated program, it is probably somewhere in the area of 5 - 7 years (give or take) to become a NNP not including the couple of years working with neonates as a RN.

Someone who knows more - take it away.

future_neonatal_NP · Sep 23, 2005

thank you babycheekz for asking a good question. I am also a junior in undergrad majoring in psych., hoping to become a NNP. I know that for my school, we have a bridge program where we get a bs in psych, then do 2 years at vanderbilt nursing school in nashville to get a MSN. As of right now i am volunteering as a cuddler in a NICU. It is a great experience because i am able to interact with the babies, and learn my way around the NICU. I would definitly suggest volunteering! once again, thanks for the great thread. I am wondering the same things that you are.

sddlnscp · Sep 23, 2005

Oops - sorry, I must've replied after I left the thread open for a while. My bad. :imbar:

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 23, 2005

Oops - sorry, I must've replied after I left the thread open for a while. My bad. :imbar:

Actually, sddlnscp, you replied to another thread by the OP. I merged three with the same requests/questions.:) You are not losing your mind.

sddlnscp · Sep 23, 2005

Actually, sddlnscp, you replied to another thread by the OP. I merged three with the same requests/questions.:) You are not losing your mind.

LOL! You are trying to make me looney (or loonier) aren't you? :lol_hitti

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 23, 2005

LOL! You are trying to make me looney (or loonier) aren't you? :lol_hitti

Nah. If you are like me,sddlnscp, it does not take too much.:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :stone

sddlnscp · Sep 23, 2005

Nah. If you are like me,sddlnscp, it does not take too much.:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :stone

:rotfl: Then we must be twins! :rotfl:

sunnysideup09 · Sep 24, 2005

Being a volunteer would be good experience, but be certain to check out what you'd be doing. Our volunteers don't do anything with our babies. They do secretarial things. If you want to get an idea or a job related to NNP, it may be helpful to become a health care tech or CNA in NICU. Many hospitals have that. You can be there and observe the roles NNP play and get to observe cool procedures also.

There are many schools all over the US that offer what is called a bridge program into nursing if you already have a bachelors. There are way too many to list. You won't have any problem finding one. Here is a link to help:

http://www.allnursingschools.com/find/results.php?st=&prog=accelerated-bsn&submit=Find+a+School

Christine, RNC, BSN

Nicumom75 i want to thank u for sending such speedy replies... you answered sooo many of my questions n i just wanted to say thanks. i did have a couple more questions regarding what you said.
1.are there any other schools in the Northeast area besides stonybrook that offer programs for people with BS degrees in something other than nursing?
2.i am looking for a job related to NNP...would my best bet be to volunteer at a hospital?
Thanks a lot again n i hope u all can help me a lil bit more...
PS thanx 2 u 2 siri for ur response...