Maybe an ignorant question, but I'm asking it anyway....

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Excuse the possibly ignorant question, but what is required to be a NICU Nurse Practitioner, in regards to experience and education? I ask because I have seen ads for NICU NP, stating that they require a BSN, but prefer a MSN.....

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

MSN...

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Thx NeoNurse. So just getting a Master of Science in nursing would allow me to be a NICU NP?

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Take a look at this link; it should help.

You need to be Nurse Practitioner which is Graduate Level (Masters) and should major in neonatal health.

http://www.allnursingschools.com/featured/neonatal-nurse-practitioner/

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

A Neonatal Nurse Practitioner is a professional registered nurse with clinical experience in neonatal nursing who has received formal education with supervised clinical experience in the management of sick newborns and their families. The NNP manages a caseload of neonates with consultation, collaboration, and general supervision from a physician. The NNP exercises independent judgement in assessment, diagnosis, initiation of delegated medical procedures, and evaluation, consistent with state nurse practice laws, institutional guidelines, and the NNP's education and experience. In addition, the NNP is involved in education, consultation, and medical research. Neonatal nurse practitioners must hold specialty certifications in their area of practice.

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Lola! TY so much for the information. This will be a career changer for me. I am just starting my journey in nursing (this may be a horrible time for it, but I've always been drawn to it and I've had to change my plans 3 times....).

At any rate, I have set my sights on NICU or PEDS and since I already have a grad degree in the human services field, I have decided to go for a direct entry MSN program. Since I am going to go for a direct entry MSN program, I thought why not go directly for NP?

Any other thoughts or words of wisdom for me, in regards to this path? Any hints, tips, etc?? Oh I should also mention that when I began my education I chose sociology over psych, astronomy over biology, etc...So I am going for my prereq's, now! ( A&P, chem, etc...).

Is 40 too old for this?????? ;)

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

you're usually required to have X number of years experience in a level 3 NICU before you can start the clinical portion of an nnp program.

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Neo-

From what I can tell, the program has me going for my RN first, with at least 600 hours clinicals (I think that was the number...)After that, I would then choose my specialty (NICU NP) and do ally of my education and clinicals in that specific area...I think that's how they laid it out....

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Specializes in Adult ICU, Neonatal ICU.

I would be really careful about this program. This is not an easy specialty. They do NOT teach you what you need to know in a BSN program about sick neonates,, it is all learned basically in the unit.....and boy is there a lot to learn. I would suggest a good 2 years of Neonatal experience ( not just adult) before even thinking about becoming a NNP. It can be very overwhelming at times. I had two and a half years of adult ICU experience, and still learn new things everyday in the NICU. It is two totally different worlds. Trust me, they are not going to focus mainly on neonates while you work on your RN, and if they do, I'd be even more weary about this program ( you might decide neonates are not for you and want to switch in the future). Please be careful, it's a lot harder than most people think going into it.

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NurseD-

It states that the program is 15 months long to get my RN and BSN. After that, it goes straight into the MSN program, where I would choose my specialty and start the MS classes. I see that there are 3 practicum courses during that phase of the program...I'm not sure how many hours that would translate to, though....

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Hopefully someone can help me answer this one, as well....let's say I just decided to do the ADN, then go for an online RN to MSN....Are there schools that focus solely on the educational and clinical part of becoming an NNP?

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

What we're trying to say here is that, after you graduate and are licensed, get a job in a NICU w/a very good new grad program, and work there, as a staff nurse, for @ least 2 years. THEN take your NNP courses.

That would be my recommendation. And, I suspect most NNPs would agree. (I'm not an NNP, but I do have >25yrs experience in NICU--and I stayed @ a Holiday Inn last night.)

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