NursePractitionerSchools.com is an advertising-supported site. The millennial generation - a population totaling 76 million people - has now reached the age where they will begin to get married and have children. The maternal newborn nursing core certification tests specialty knowledge in the discipline. Healthcare providers are on the frontlines of immense innovation and growth. Entry-level requirements vary by location. Although neonatal nurses are skilled to care for healthy newborns, it is the neonatal nurse practitioner who is skilled in providing care for newborns in need of specialized attention. NNPs collaborate with neonatologists in both acute and non-acute settings, assisting with and supervising deliveries to treat newborn infants who may experience complex health issues that require specific, constant attention. Courses may be completed online (or as a mix of web-based and on-campus work). The issue of practice authority varies widely by region, affecting the ability of CNMs to work in accordance with their high level of training and certification. This coursework and experience can prepare students for the college application process. All nurses must meet the renewal deadlines, or they will need to begin the reinstatement process, which varies based on their licensure state. In NNP master’s programs, students take courses such as advanced pharmacotherapeutics, pathophysiology of human disease, and diagnostic reasoning & clinical decision-making for NNPs. Here is one possible path to becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP): Graduate from high school. Often present at high-risk births, a neonatal nurse practitioner serves as the leader of other neonatal nurses. While pursuing a master of science in nursing (MSN) may be the most common way to become a NNP, there is a new terminal degree for the profession on the rise: the doctor of nursing practice (DNP). Completing an advanced curriculum in neonatal nursing improves your clinical judgment skills, teaches you more scientific knowledge and prepares you to work with extremely ill infants. Individuals interested in learning how to become neonatal nurse practitioners (NNP) can review this guide to learn more about pathways to consider when pursuing the profession. Maintain NNP licenses, registrations, and certifications (timeline varies). Here is one possible path to becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP): Graduate from high school. NursePractitionerSchools.com is an advertising-supported site. Students will complete core graduate and neonatal/pediatric coursework, in a… In fact, once nurses have completed an accredited NNP program, they may be eligible to sit for national certification available through the National Certification Corporation (NCC). Professionals who want to research careers related to NNP roles and learn more about the NNP profession can review the following resources to learn more about their available options. RN licensing requirements include holding a BSN or an associate’s degree in nursing and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. In the sections below, readers can learn more about the specific steps necessary to achieve appropriate credentials and the types of national certification they can pursue in the NNP discipline. These registered nurses (RNs) with graduate training in advanced practice nursing provide many of the same... Find the right program for you and advance your education with an online degree. 2. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. Pursue a graduate degree in nursing (1 – 3 years). Nurse practitioners welcome great change in the form of skyrocketing salaries and increased autonomy. Here are some common associations for NPs and NNPs: Online NNP programs may allow working NPs to fulfill direct patient care clinical requirements in a preceptorship close to his or her home. NNP certification requires candidates to complete a competency-based exam, hold RN licensure, and complete an accredited NP program in the NNP specialization, learning to provide care in outpatient and hospital settings. Neonatal nurses are registered nurses who specialize in working with these young, vulnerable patients. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. Additionally, each NNP must hold certification as both a registered nurse (RN) and an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). NNPs work with newborn infants experiencing many different issues, including minor injury and life-threatening infections. It is important to seek out accredited programs not only to ensure that they deliver necessary nursing training, but also to qualify students for RN licensure through the NCLEX-RN exam (see below). Students are encouraged to inquire with their school of choice … Generally, professionals need to complete at least two years of clinical experience working in neonatal intensive care units or comparable clinical settings to enroll in NNP graduate programs. You must be certified in Neonatal Resuscitation and/or Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing. NNP licensing requires both RN and APRN licensure. Healthcare reform, while still in its infancy, is turning arcane delivery philosophies into unprecedented care models that improve outcomes, increase efficiency, and reduce costs. Job Description & Information. Neonatal intensive care nursing certification requires individuals to complete and pass a competency-based examination, hold RN licensure, and finish at least two years of professional experience in providing care to acutely and critically ill neonatal patients. This post outlines five reasons why you might want to pursue a rewarding career as a nurse practitioner. Prerequisites for this certification include having a graduate NP degree from an accredited program; being an RN; and passing an exam within eight years of graduation from the program. FIND EMPLOYMENTOnce professionals satisfy the eligibility requirements for licensure and obtain official licensure and certification as NNPs, they can search for employment opportunities. Find out what courses you'll take, see requirements for clinical practice, and learn more about the job duties of a neonatal NP. For this reason, we can expect more childbirths in the coming years, and with that an increased demand for neonatal nurse practitioners. Affordable Nurse Practitioner Programs Online, Family Nurse Practitioner vs Doctorate Nurse Practitioner, National Council of State Boards of Nursing, inpatient obstetric nursing certification, maternal newborn nursing core certification, Neonatal intensive care nursing certification. Other programs, such as the online NNP master’s program at East Carolina University, admit experienced nurses who achieved a minimum 3.0 GPA in an associate’s degree nursing program. Also, accreditation may be necessary for national certification and licensure. A neonatal nurse practitioner provides advanced care for premature babies and infants who are sick or are in need of special care. A neonatal nurse must be a registered nurse (RN)with a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN). The selective accreditation process gauges program effectiveness by measuring quality of faculty, curricula, and facilities, among other factors. NCC certifications include women’s health care nurse practitioner and NNP. These NPs work under the direction of neonatologists or neonatal fellows but assume complete responsibility for their patients and execute necessary decisions to diagnose, assess, and initiate various medical procedures. In addition to the coursework requirements, enrollees must also satisfy 550-1,000 NNP clinical hours. How Much Does a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Make? Specific requirements to earn an RN license vary depending on the state, but in general, individuals must complete education and experience components, in addition to passing the NCLEX-RN examination. ), many choose to pursue a BSN because it fulfills course prerequisites in nursing. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner graduates from the UR School of Nursing are educated to work in all levels of neonatal inpatient care, transport, acute and chronic care; delivery rooms, and outpatient settings, with the majority practicing in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) across the country. In fact, both professional nurses and non-nursing career professionals can begin the path to nurse practitioner certification, though the requirements will be different. Courses in BSN programs typically include community health nursing, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, lifespan development, and principles of ethics. This … Catherine Witt, RNC, MS, NNP, president of the Glenview, Ill.-based National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) stated that "for every Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) … The plan of study is based on the Educational Standards and Curriculum Guidelines for Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs (NANN, 2014), Population-Focused Nurse Practitioner Competencies- Neonatal (NONPF, 2013), NP Core Competencies … After graduating from an MSN or DNP program, aspiring NNPs typically seek national and state-based certifications. NNPs practicing at level II work in intermediate care nursery settings with sick and premature infants who require constant attention and care. The University of Louisville Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) program will prepare you to provide primary, acute and critical care for neonates and infants through the age of two. Generally, to qualify for an MSN or DNP program, prospective NNPs will need at least two years of clinical experience in level II, III and IV neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Hahnemann’s Nurse-Midwifery practice was founded by two Penn graduates. Those seeking to work as NNPs are advised to excel in secondary school science courses, especially anatomy, psychology, chemistry, and biology. After that, they can choose their MS specialty. Professionals must meet state-specific requirements for NP licensure, including passing an examination and providing proof of qualifying education. Classes for neonatal nurse practitioner students focus on the neonate as patient and include advanced assessment, pathophysiology, health care management, advanced nursing practice and … Neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) are advanced practice nurses who work with the physicians and nursing staff to provide comprehensive critical care to the infants in the NICU. NNPs provide advanced care to premature and ill newborns, and they often work in neonatal intensive care units. This type of neonatal nurse practitioner program typically takes 3-4 years for students to complete. A neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) is a highly skilled, highly educated advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who is responsible for providing specialized care to newborn infants who are experiencing a broad range of acuity and states of health, including prematurity, low birth weight, infections, genetic disorders, congenital heart abnormalities, and respiratory problems. The role of the NNP is to provide care to high-risk infants who need care due to low birth weights, complications of prematurity, heart abnormalities, infections or other conditions. For those with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) offers a three-year master’s entry program in nursing (MEPN). Neonatal nursing is a specialty field within pediatric nurse practitioner programs. As part of the curriculum, students become RNs through didactic coursework, clinical hours, and testing (i.e., NCLEX-RN), which are generally completed by BSN students. The NNP will have to complete the CE as part of the recertification process. The length of a neonatal nurse practitioner online degree track varies depending on the degree level, specialization, and program structure. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN 2017) recommends a DNP for the most comprehensive, advanced nursing practice training, especially for NNPs aspiring to top organizational or leadership positions. Nursing is riddled with various roles, career paths, and backgrounds. As part of the programs, students typically complete at least 600 direct patient care clinical hours in a healthcare setting. There is no one way to become a nurse, and there are so many different kinds of these invaluable healthcare... A doctor of nursing practice (DNP) appeals to nurses interested in an evidence-based patient care degree instead of a research-focused doctorate. The neonatal nurse practitioner is prepared to provide and/or collaborate in the provision of services designed to deal with the health care needs of neonates and their families in a variety of settings. A … PURSUE SPECIALIZATIONS WHILE WORKING AS AN RN IN A NEONATAL SETTINGOnce professionals obtain their RN licenses, they can take part in professional experiences in neonatal acute care clinical settings. During neonatal nurse practitioner school, the student must attend approximately 500-700 hours of clinical experience caring for neonates and their families. CareerOneStop (2017)—a data organization sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor— reports that 78 percent of all NPs have master’s degrees, and another 14 percent have doctoral or professional degrees. Typically, there are no additional internships because this clinical time is spent with neonatal experts like neonatologists and NNPs. Along with regional accreditation for the college or university students attend, their program should maintain programmatic or specialized accreditation. The aim of the Neonatal Concentration is to prepare the neonatal nurse practitioner for this multifaceted role in ambulatory, intermediate, acute and critical care. About the UofL Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program. Nurses focusing on level I, in newborn nursery care, provide basic healthcare for healthy, full-term infants. As part of associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in nursing, students typically receive training and earn RN licensure by passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). EARN A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING (BSN) DEGREEBefore professionals can work as NNPs, they must earn an associate or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree, which fulfills the educational requirement to begin pursuing RN licensure. To become an NNP, one must be committed, persevering, and enthusiastic about the treatment of newborns and their families. Candidates must hold RN licensure, along with a minimum of two years of specialty experience caring for hospitalized pregnant women. Finally, there are also local (i.e., state-based) nursing boards which license, register, and certify NPs. The College of Nursing and Health Innovation. For licensure eligibility, professionals must earn their degree from an accredited program. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Jobs, Salary & Employment. How Do I Become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner? 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