Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner post-baccalaureate DNP (BSN to DNP) program of study consists of 81 credit hours. 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 (NONPF, 2017) and the DNP Essentials (AACN, 2006). Full time and part time plans of study.are offered. This program prepares the neonatal nurse practitioner at the graduate level who has the specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities to engage in population-focused high quality health care for preterm and term neonates, infants and children up to 2 years of age.

Students in this program will achieve the DNP program outcomes by building on the baccalaureate level maternal-child nursing content and the student's clinical experience as a staff nurse in a Level III neonatal intensive care unit for a minimum of two years. The primary teaching-learning practices used in this program are seminars, case studies/discussions, skills lab, simulation and practicum experiences. Practicum focuses on developing clinical competency in the role and scope of advanced neonatal nursing practice under the guidance of program faculty and direct supervision by approved preceptors. Selected clinical sites are used for delivery room, newborn nursery and Level III NICU clinical practicums.