Best Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs – 2024

Nurses interested in infant care and looking to enter advanced practice have the option of entering a graduate-level program to become neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs). A career as a neonatal nurse practitioner is highly rewarding, with opportunities to provide life-saving care to newborn infants who are premature, severely ill, or who suffer from a variety of health conditions. With post-baccalaureate and doctoral programs available, nurses have a wealth of options regarding how they become NNPs.

2024 - Best Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs

Registered nurses with a passion for caring for newborn infants often choose to further their education with a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) program. These advanced-practice RNs must go through extensive specialty training in order to take care of this vulnerable patient population. Selecting the right NNP degree program will be one of the most important decisions in a nurse's life. That's why we've ranked the top hybrid/online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner programs in the country. Check out our rankings below to select the perfect program today.

For more information on our top nursing school rankings, visit our Methodology Page (https://www.registerednursing.org/rankings-methodology/).

1.

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, AL

When infants and babies are sick or have chronic medical conditions, they need specialized care. Nurses can hone their skills to care for these tiny patients when they pursue their Neonatal Nurse Practitioner – MSN via mostly online study at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

MSN Programs

• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

• Applicants must have 2 years of direct, neonatal experience.
• The part-time program is 6-7 semesters in length.
• On-campus intensives and labs are required.

2.

University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT

Nurses with at least two years of experience at a level three, neonatal intensive care unit, can further their careers with an MSN or DNP in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner at the University of Connecticut. The top-rated, competitive-entry online program includes intensive theory and practicum coursework.

MSN Programs

• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Master's Program Online/Hybrid

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) Online/Hybrid

DNP Programs

• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner DNP Online/Hybrid

• A total of three on-campus visits are required for the entire program.
• The program readies graduates for NCC certification.
• Full or part-time plans of study are available.

3.

Emory University

Atlanta, GA

Nurses who seek to obtain their Neonatal Nurse Practitioner - MSN can study assessments, diagnostic evaluations, and disease management at Emory University. The mostly online offering readies students to care for neonates and infants as comprehensive, advanced practice providers.

MSN Programs

• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

• Didactic and clinical experience
• Online content delivery
• Low faculty-student ratios

4.

Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH

Tending to the needs of premature or critically sick infants requires hyper-specialized care and training. Nurses can join this high-demand field when they apply for the primarily online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner - MSN at Case Western Reserve University.

MSN Programs

• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) Online/Hybrid

• Students attend clinicals at regional sites.
• Grads can feel confident sitting for the NCC examination.
• A private research university in Cleveland.

5.

Baylor University

Waco, TX

Baylor University in Texas offers a DNP, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, for nurses who want to dedicate their careers to caring for infants. The top-rated program’s curriculum focuses on providing care to high-risk, critically ill neonates, newborns, and infants. Applicants must have at least one year of Level 3 NICU clinical experience.

DNP Programs

• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner DNP Program Online/Hybrid

• Includes clinical placement support for students’ convenience.
• A top-rated private Christian school.
• On-campus immersions are mandated throughout the mostly online program.

Choosing a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program

There are many neonatal nurse practitioner programs available, but to pick the right one, students are encouraged to consider the following:

Accreditation

Proper accreditation ensures that a program is held to rigorous academic standards. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) are the two main accrediting bodies for neonatal nurse practitioner programs. There may also be local and regional accreditations available as well.

Program Cost

Neonatal nurse practitioner tuition can fluctuate based on location, school, and degree type. Generally, NNP tuition ranges from $700 to $1,000 and over per credit. Doctoral-level programs tend to be more expensive than master's degree programs, in part because more credits are required overall. Tuition costs usually do not include any extras, such as program fees, lab fees, course materials, and other associated expenses.

Program Length

For a master's-level NNP education, roughly 40 credit hours are needed to graduate, with part-time and full-time study options typically available. Students can usually finish the degree in 2-3 years. For the doctoral pathway, roughly 80 total credit hours are needed. This type of neonatal nurse practitioner program typically takes 3-4 years for students to complete.

Internship/Externship Opportunities

Due to the hands-on clinical rotation hours required of MSN and DNP-level neonatal nurse practitioner programs, many schools have relationships with nearby hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities. Students are encouraged to inquire with their school of choice about the internship options available to them, or if there are opportunities for them to find their own clinical preceptor sites.

Online/Campus Options

Online options have gained major traction in the last few years, which has resulted in many schools offering both online and campus-based NNP programs. Some schools even offer a "hybrid" program, allowing students to take many courses online but also offering classroom-based lectures and labs.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Degree Levels Offered

Nurses can choose from two different educational pathways in order to become a neonatal nurse practitioner: the Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) or the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Both programs give students a solid foundation in advanced practice neonatal nursing, but the DNP program goes beyond the master's level to prepare students for NNP leadership.

MSN Programs

Students enrolled in a neonatal nurse practitioner MSN program can plan on taking a mix of advanced core nursing courses as well as specialty NNP courses. Most offer classes such as Advanced Neonatal Nursing Theory, Advanced Neonatal Embryology/Physiology, and Application of Genetics to Health Care. Clinical hours are also required as part of the program. The University of California – San Francisco is an example of a school that offers an MSN-level neonatal nurse practitioner program.

RN to MSN Programs

An additional option for becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner is an RN to MSN bridge program that is designed for registered nurses with an Associate's Degree in Nursing or a non-nursing bachelor's degree. RN to MSN programs build on the experience of working nurses and provide advanced-level nursing courses that prepare students for leadership roles as nurse practitioners. As an example of these programs, The College of New Jersey offers an RN to MSN program with a specialty in neonatal nursing that is designed for nurses with a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing subject. Programs that specialize in neonatal nursing include coursework in comprehensive neonatal assessment, general management of the sick neonate, neonatal disease progression as well as clinical practice hours in each level of the neonatal intensive care unit.

DNP Programs

Doctoral neonatal nurse practitioner programs offer more in-depth courses in the specialty and place a strong emphasis on leadership. Students will take classes such as Diagnosis and Management, Health Systems and Health Policy, and Translating Evidence to Practice. A minimum number of clinical hours are also required for the DNP. The University of Maryland, for example, offers a DNP-level neonatal nurse practitioner program.

RN to DNP Programs

Another route to becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner for nurses who have completed their bachelor's degree in nursing is a BSN to DNP program that allows the nurse to earn his or her master's degree and doctoral degree in nursing simultaneously. These specialized bridge programs often allow students to complete these two degrees in less time than two separate programs. Some programs, such as the one at the University of Maryland, offer concentrations in neonatal nursing by offering courses in neonatal pathophysiology and assessment, as well as in-depth neonatal diagnoses and management.

Online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs

Online programs have grown in popularity due in great part to their convenience, allowing busy students to take courses from the comfort of their own homes. Students should keep in mind, however, that some online programs may require minimal on-campus visits, and that clinical rotations must be completed in person.

Advantages of an Online Program

The convenience and flexibility of online NNP programs are some of the biggest advantages for students. For those who have chaotic schedules and numerous commitments, being able to move through the coursework when and where they choose is a huge draw. For those in rural areas, online NNP programs provide the option of earning a post-baccalaureate degree without having to commute or relocate. Online students also gain the advantage of eliminating the bulk of transportation costs.

Program Accreditation

Much like their campus-based counterparts, online programs should hold proper accreditations. ACEN and CCNE accredited online programs signify a reputable level of quality, and can provide peace of mind to those who may be new to distance-learning options.

Costs and Length

While online MSN and DNP neonatal nurse practitioner programs require the same number of credits as classroom-based programs, these distance-based options tend to be more flexible, making program length dependent on the student's needs. Tuition costs are also similar to campus programs, although online students don't have to worry about commuting costs such as gas and parking fees. The University of Connecticut, for example, charges tuition of $925 per credit, or $2,775 for a 3-credit course, for its online MSN Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program.

What Are the Admissions and Certification Requirements?

Admissions requirements for most NNP programs include:

• BSN or higher from an accredited university
• Current, unencumbered RN license
• GPA of at 3.0 or above
• Personal goal statement
• Current resume
• Copies of all undergraduate transcripts
• Two or more years of professional RN experience in a neonatal intensive care unit may be required

NNP certification is via examination through the National Certification Corporation. Eligibility requirements include:

• Must hold a current, U.S. RN license
• Successful completion of an accredited graduate neonatal nurse practitioner program and provide verification of graduation and transcripts
• Must take the exam within 8 years of graduating from an NNP program

List of Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) Programs

There are many neonatal nurse practitioner programs available, including the following schools listed below.

Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.