Why Is It So Difficult To Get Into A Neonatal NP Program?

Sour Lemon · Aug 20, 2016

I would assume that people who are qualified to teach the subject can probably make more money practicing. "Regular" nursing programs have the same issue, on occasion.

As for the entry requirements, it sounds like the programs are competitive enough that they're able to be selective. They may also want candidates with the best chance of succeeding in the program, passing boards, and furthering the reputation of the school.

These are just my best guesses. I really don't know.

Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN · Aug 20, 2016

My question(s) are why do you have to work in a Level 2/3/4 NICU for 2 years when you can enter an Acute Care Pediatric NP program with 0 experience?

I think the more important question is, why would a pediatric NP program accept students with no experience?

Luckyyou, BSN, RN · Aug 20, 2016

You would be doing our tiny patients a huge disservice by becoming an NNP without NICU experience. Even two years is barely enough. Just because the PNPs do it doesn't make it right.

SunshineeStudent · Aug 20, 2016

I think the more important question is, why would a pediatric NP program accept students with no experience?

they can enter with 0 experience but before starting clinicals they would have to have 1 yr of peds experience. You can't do that with the NNP program, you have to have two yrs experience before applying.

Guest219794 · Aug 20, 2016

Currently I'm in school finishing my RN degree but as soon as I finish I want to enter grad school for my MSN or DNP, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. The thing is, it's SO DIFFICULT! One of my previous classmates graduated in May and is now a RN, she immediately was accepted into the Acute Care:Pediatric NP program at the school I want to apply to, but for the Neonatal NP program you have to have 2 years in a Level 3 NICU. Other schools I want to apply to have that same rule! Mind you, there are not many schools that actually have a NNP program, which is so sad. One school has stopped accepting applications because of the lack of resources.
My question(s) are why do you have to work in a Level 2/3/4 NICU for 2 years when you can enter an Acute Care Pediatric NP program with 0 experience? Also why is there such a shortage of Neonatal programs? It's almost as if Neonatal education is the last priority when it comes to specialties.
I asked one of my instructors about why there's a shortage of NNP programs and she said she didn't know but she also said that is the reason Neonatal NPs are the highest paid NP in our state(behind CRNA) making a little bit above Psych.

A couple possibilities:

1- Given a free market economy, you pretty much have answered your own question. Since there are few openings for a highly paid specialty, they can be selective, and accept more qualified applicants. If there were a lot of openings and it paid low, they would accept less qualified people.

2- Since it is so easy to kill really sick little babies, maybe they figure you should have some experience to reduce the amount of little babies who die.

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Aug 22, 2016

Probably because our little babies are like nothing you have ever dealt with before. Our hospital won't even consider hiring an NNP that doesn't have 2 years of NICU nursing in addition to schooling. Unless you have been oriented to work in a NICU you won't understand the workflow, the protocols, the care. These aren't little adults or little peds patients,they are their own entity. And we get many people who start in NICU and don't make it because it isn't what they envisioned.

Have you shadowed in a unit? I would do that before you slam schools not taking you without experience. It may open your eyes. You had another thread about "pulling the plug"....well, it isn't all roses and rainbows in NICU and you should have the experience of caring for a baby who has no chance of a normal life, one who survive with multiple issues, dealing with parents and helping guide them thru this process. There are worse things than dying in our world. You need to care for that 22 weeker that has a massive head bleed, failing kidneys, bad lungs to see what it is like. Or that baby that is in your unit for a year with a trach, GT and develops pulmonary hypertension, a baby born with multiple anomolies that requires extensive care on both nursing and doctor end. It will make you a stronger NNP to experience it as a nurse. You will learn the pathophys inside and out. Hands on care is the best way to learn.

My advice is try to get a job in a NICU, work your two years and then go back to school.

ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 22, 2016

I am about ready to apply for an NNP program that allows people to matriculate without experience but you must have two years in a level three or four by the time clinicals roll around.

NICU is such a niche and nursing schools barely touch on neonates. In a critical care setting with babies, it is crucial for the NNPs to know their stuff. I am somewhat terrified of starting with only 1.5 years of experience. I couldn't imagine being a nnp with no NICU experience.

GeneralistRN · Aug 22, 2016

Requiring specialized work experience in a given field really undermines the whole point of getting an education. This sort of thing doesn't happen outside of nursing. Not even doctors have to have work experience before they go to medical school or apply for residency: because unlike nursing, medical education provides that necessary experience.

Unfortunately nursing schools are highly profit driven and the instructors themselves are unprepared in rigorously training students. If they can get away with saving money by condensing curriculum so that they can substitute your years of work experience for them doing their job in preparing you, then they'll do it. The same thing happens with anesthesia school. Only in nursing.

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Aug 22, 2016

To become a neonatologist you have to do a 3 year fellowship, same for any speciality. It is on the same line. Do you think someone could walk in and be a neonatologist without ever working with this population? So I wouldn't say it is really too

much different.

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 22, 2016

Requiring specialized work experience in a given field really undermines the whole point of getting an education. This sort of thing doesn't happen outside of nursing. Not even doctors have to have work experience before they go to medical school or apply for residency: because unlike nursing, medical education provides that necessary experience..

Not applicable to the NNP discussion. You can't become a Neonatology Fellow until you complete a Pediatric residency. So yes, doctors need work experience within peds/neonatalogy before they can enter "neonatology school."

Xlorgguss · Aug 23, 2016

Are you seriously asking why you can't be a NNP without any experience as an RN first? That sounds insane to me especially given how scant of an education we get even for pediatric patients. My RN program "covers" peds in our six week Maternity rotation and a few other places. I would be frightened to take on that role without any experience. I am personally interested in AG-ACNP however I want to get into ICU, get my BSN, and become competent as an ICU nurse (pursue CCRN) and have about three years experience before I even apply.