HOW TO BECOME A NNP??

Published

Hello everyone, I am an RN about to start my BSN program. I am looking for any information that someone could give on what the steps are to becoming a Neonatal nurse practitioner (since this is what I have always wanted to do). I have done some internet research but I would love to get in contact with an NNP and hear exactly how they did it...for example do you need to get an FNP and then specialize after? What extra classes would you recommend? Any school programs that come highly recommended?

If anyone could help I would greatly appreciate it!

Thank you!

_KPalmer2017

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Vascular Neurology and Neurocritical Care.

NNP is its own specialty. You must attend an NNP program to become one. FNP will not in any way prepare you for that role. While you are doing research (which I'm surprised you didn't find this tidbit of information already since you're examining the role), search for NNP programs and look at their prerequisites.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

I'm an NNP student. There are a couple of NNPs on the board too. Try asking questions in the NICU board.

Since you're already an RN, you need to finish your BSN and work in a Level III or IV NICU for 2 years (this can be concurrent). Then directly apply to a NNP program. The experience in the NICU is extremely important. You can't skip it. Almost all NNP programs require it. There's no other special things you need to do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree with previous posters.

There is absolutely no benefit to getting your FNP prior to your NNP. They are entirely different degrees with a different focus, and the populations they care for are mutually exclusive. If you got your FNP before your NNP, you'd effectively have to complete NNP school all over again (via a post-masters certificate).

Nearly all NNP programs require at least two years of Level 3 or 4 NICU nursing experience before you can begin. NICU is a notoriously difficult specialty to break into; therefore, your first step is to work on becoming the strongest new grad applicant possible. There are plenty of existing threads on this topic on the NICU forum.

In addition to being a requirement, I personally think that working in the NICU will give you some insight into whether or not the NNP role is right for you before you jump right in. I personally thought about becoming an NNP, but after working alongside them and seeing what the job actually entails, I decided against it. The job necessitates a very specific lifestyle (working nights, weekends, holidays, sometimes sleeping at the hospital during 24-hour shifts), with very little possibility of ever acheiving a more 'normal' work schedule that you see in outpatient NP roles. In addition, they miss out on some of my favorite parts of NICU nursing (bonding one-on-one with families, teaching parents, snuggling with kids). I am so appreciative that I have worked with stellar NPs, and I actually prefer them to many MDs, but working alongside them has showed me that the role wouldn't be for me. I'd keep your mind open as you start school, since it may turn out that you love what you thought you'd dislike, and dislike what you thought you'd love.

If you have any other NICU-specific questions moving forward, you'll get the most valuable feedback on the NICU forums, not the NP forums.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion