Help a student pick the right path!

[abbeyluu10]

Hi everyone,

I am a senior in high school trying to find the right path. I am in love with babies and I know that working in neonatal care would be my dream job. However, I am unsure about the path I should go on into that career. I see more information about a NNP more than a PA. What is the difference exactly? Which route would be the best way to go? Who makes more money? What do hospitals doctors prefer? Also, can you be a DNP in neonatal? I have many questions and I am very interested! I would love to get information from the people inside this amazing career. Any experiences or knowledge would be wonderful.

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

Just wondering.. Does a nurse with a DNP wear a white coat? Haha just wondering it's always been a dream of mine :)

Yes. And so do nurses, in some circumstances. And likely any other professional healthcare worker.

[abbeyluu10]

Pros & cons?

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

Pros & cons?

Of being an NNP?

[abbeyluu10]

Of being an NNP?

Yes! :)

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

Yes! :)

I'd like to see some NNPs' answers. I know there are a couple who frequent the boards. I can't answer you since I'm just barely a NICU nurse myself.

[abbeyluu10]

Do DNP neonatal nurses have more tasks/authority??

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

Do DNP neonatal nurses have more tasks/authority??

Compared to a Master's prepared NNP? No

Normally, you would refer to them as the neonatal nurse practitioners (NNP). It helps differentiate them from the staff nurses and identifies them as healthcare providers. There is no difference in the job of a DNP, NNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) or an MSN, NNP (Master of Science in Nursing). They have the same license.

If you are comparing them to the staff NICU nurses (BSN or ADN prepared RNs), then yes. They manage the care of the infants in the same way the neonatologists do.

[abbeyluu10]

Compared to a Master's prepared NNP? No

Normally, you would refer to them as the neonatal nurse practitioners (NNP). It helps differentiate them from the staff nurses and identifies them as healthcare providers. There is no difference in the job of a DNP, NNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) or an MSN, NNP (Master of Science in Nursing). They have the same license.

If you are comparing them to the staff NICU nurses (BSN or ADN prepared RNs), then yes. They manage the care of the infants in the same way the neonatologists do.

What is the difference between a NNP and a staff NICU nurse?

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

Staff nurse is an ASN or BSN nurse that provides direct care to a neonate

NNP is a MSN or DNP educated nurse that manage the care of the neonate same as a neonatologist.

There is no difference in the responsibility between a Master's educated (MSN) NNP and a Doctoral educated (DNP) NNP.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

I just graduated from a 4 year BSN program, passed the NCLEX (nursing licensing test), and became an RN in May.

I got a job in the NICU right away, so I am a staff NICU nurse. I provide continuous bedside care to the babies.

If I decided to further my education and get a DNP or master's, I would become an NNP. Most programs will require you to work several years as a staff NICU nurse before starting an NNP program.