Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs and Direct Entry Programs

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Hi,

I was wondering if anyone can tell me if their school has a neonatal nurse practitioner specialty? I am interested in becoming an NNP, but I would also like to enroll in an direct entry program as well. I wanted to know what schools offer this specialty as a direct entry master's option as well. I know UPenn and Columbia offer this specialty, but does your school offer this as a specialty as well? Thanks in advance for everyone's help.

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Northeastern University in Boston offers the neonatal specialty as a part of their Acute Care track (in their Direct Entry Master's program). You can find more info here.

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Thanks Juliewoo. This is exactly the type of program I'm looking for.

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Specializes in NICU.

You cannot become a NNP without having at least 2 years of Level III NICU experience as a bedside RN, just so you're aware. Some people work full-time during school to get this experience.

Good luck!

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You cannot become a NNP without having at least 2 years of Level III NICU experience as a bedside RN, just so you're aware. Some people work full-time during school to get this experience.

Good luck!

Is this true for all programs, including direct entry programs?

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Specializes in NICU.

Yes...neonatology is an extremely specialized field. There's just no way someone who doesn't know anything about nursing, let alone neonates become a NNP! I don't know if this by minimum requirements but I've scoured the boards here and is what people have said and looked at many programs around the country.

I'd post this in the Neonatal board (under specialty-->critical care) to see if there's anyone who knows anything different.

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Specializes in Emergency, Critical Care Transport.

UCSF does as well, and they require 2 years "stepping out" in a NICU before completing the master's.

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The Ohio State University has a direct-entry Masters Track. In their program you obtain your RN license first along with some graduate level courses, work for 2 years in a NICU, and return to finish the NNP portion the last year. It ends up being a 5 year program.

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

Current national NNP certification standards require that ALL NNP students have 2 years of level III NICU experience prior to graduation.

I am a firm believer that when working with neonates, there is no shortcut. I almost wish they'd bump that requirement up to 3 or 4 years.

Trust me, you NEED those 2 years, and they need to be at a large, high-acuity teaching hospital where you can soak up as much experience and learning as you can.

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