I think I want to be an NNP....

jpeters84 · Oct 1, 2012

A couple of things...It's always good to look to the future and think about long-term goals. But at times it can be, let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner is not as simple as going to nursing school, getting your BSN putting in your 1-2 years as a nicu nurse and going to get your master's and bam you're an NNP. That's the bill of goods they sell you in nursing school. You need to work as a nicu rn first ( in my opinion for at least 5 years or 3 years minimum in a large level III lots of acquity academic medical center nicu) and make sure that not only do you like it but that you love it and do you like the role that NNP's play as part of the NICU treatment team. Because being an NNP is a whole lot different than being a nicu rn. Quite frankly I knew all along I wanted to be an NNP but was still very surprised to get a true understanding of what the job really does entail. It's not for everyone.

Also getting your master's to become an NNP is not like getting an MD. You will be calling on your solid foundation in neonatal nursing (read: expert level nursing skills) as an NNP on a daily basis. When you go to get your master's its assumed that you have the skills and past experience to back it up. If you don't it's on you. If you have only had a year or two or spent most of your time in a level II nicu but now you're an NNP for a level III nicu you are going to struggle. You do not want to be an NNP that none of the nurses or MDs trust. They will throw you under the first bus they can find.

I wish you all the best. I hope this is helpful. I was an older, 2nd degree nursing student. So don't worry about ebing in such a hurry. You have time. This is one thing you can't rush. There's not cheating the experience you need in the nicu to be a truly good NNP. If you're motivated, hardworking, and truly love neonatal nursing I am sure you will make a wonderful NNP in time.

I have had a very hard time trying to decide what I would like to do.
Im a nontraditional 2nd degree student attending an ADN program in Louisiana. I graduate in May 2013 and plan to enter into a RN-BSN program after taking NCLEX.
Im hopeful to get a job with NICU right away so that I can start getting my experience so that I can apply for NNP school before I'm too old. Ill be 29 when I graduate with ADN. I have a BA in Sociology as well(5 yrs as a social worker).
Anyways, if you are in NNP can you tell me some of what you do and if you like it? How's the market for NNP? I would like to leave Louisiana(I'd really like to leave after getting my BSN and a year plus experience, but I am thinking it will be better for me to enjoy Louisiana's low cost of living and semi low tuition rates(compared with the rest of the country) so that I can obtain my NNP and then later move..
Any advice for me? (PS I also have 4 children who right now are 9.5, almost 8, almost 6, and almost 3) so once I do get to NNP school, they will be at least 3 years older...
Thanks!

Katie71275 · Oct 2, 2012

Thank you! That was wonderful info! I am hoping I will be able to get hired at 1 of 2 hospitals in a bigger city near me...one which is a teaching hospital and is notorious for nurses getting amazing experience within about a year or so. It's state run, but still an awesome place. The other place is a Children's Hospital(that also houses a women's center with Level 3 Nicu).

You are right, I definitely want to get involved first before deciding, it's just the course I think I am most interested in. I was highly interested in CNM, but after getting more info and learning more, I decided against it. I agree with you about working as a NICU nurse for as long as possible will let me learn as much as possible, since it takes a good year or 2 to even be comfortable.

the only reason I am trying to decide is b/c if I end up deciding to wait for a while, I want to move out of state and make sure I choose a school/hospital with a good program.

Thanks for your input!