Working as a Neonatal NP in other states

[Anna Bee Bop Berry]

Hello,

I recently graduated from Columbia University as a PNP with no NICU experience however I got a job upon graduation in a level 3 NICU, in New York City, which I feel very fortunate about since I didn't have a post masters neonatal NP certificate.

My Question:

When planning for the future with eventually relocating to another state, I am concerned that I wont have the same fortune of working for a hospital in places like California or Florida or other states without obtaining a post masters neonatal NP certificate. What is your experience with how flexible hospitals have been in hiring PNP's, like myself, with 3-5 years of level 3 neonatal NP work experience but no actual Neonatal certificate?

As a side note, I would be willing to do an online program to get this certificate but I am finding online schools won't allow students to complete their clinical in the state of New York as well one other state(can't remember which state it was). This is really weird and not sure why but two of the online programs have both stated this during the application process. If anyone is familiar with an online program that I should look into, please share.

Bottom line, if you feel I don't need to be concerned about obtaining this post master neonatal NP certificate, given I'll have the years of work experience, then I won't pursue an online program but want to also have a good idea of what to expect.

Thank you!

Anna

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

States following the consensus model (like mine and Texas) won't allow it. My state has actually made an NP go back to school to get her NNP if she wanted to continue working in the NICU as she had for like 10 years.

NANN has a list of NNP programs. I know that UT Arlington is not on the list, so other programs may also be missing. http://nann.org/professional-development/graduate-programs

I've looked at a couple of schools and it looks like New York must be especially hard for out-of-state schools to get permission in. I've looked at USA and Vanderbilt so far, but neither are available in NY.

[babyNP., APRN]

What that hospital is allowing you to do is exceedingly rare. If you have aspirations to go to other hospitals, best to get the post-masters and be done with it.

The schools not allowing you to do clinical in NY has to do with New York state, not the school itself. You might check out the BON site for "allowed" programs in your state for online schools.

edit- timely thread by our own traumasRUs

[LilPeanut, MSN, RN, NP]

If you like chronic care, there are some places you might be able to work that have BPD units that might hire a PNP as they work with an older population, but I agree, go back and get the NNP if you want to work in a NICU. PICUs are an option too, with lots of babies sometimes, especially ones with congenital heart programs.