Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Exam is an important step for nurses who want to advance in their career. The exam is given by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and requires a current RN license and a master’s degree from an accredited nurse practitioner program.
The test consists of 150 questions and must be completed in 3.5 hours. The test covers topics such as neonatal physiology, pharmacology, legal/ethical issues, family-centered care, and research/evidence-based practice.
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Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Salary
A Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (CNNP) is a nursing professional who specializes in the care of newborns. They work in neonatal intensive care units and help them recover from their traumatic birth experiences. They also assist with a range of other tasks, such as monitoring and administering medication. To become a neonatal nurse practitioner, you will need to have a valid nursing license and complete specialized nursing education and training.
A neonatal nurse practitioner salary is typically higher than that of a regular registered nurse. This is because the nurse practitioners are specially trained to deal with high-risk situations. This is important because it helps to ensure that the patient receives the best possible care.
The qualifications to be a neonatal nurse practitioner are quite strict, and include a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree. Applicants must also pass the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Exam, which is administered by the National Certification Corporation. To ace the exam, you need to make sure that you have all the right study materials at hand. Thankfully, there are a variety of study guides available that can give you the edge you need to succeed.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs
A neonatal nurse practitioner program is an advanced nursing degree that focuses on the care of newborns. The curriculum includes a combination of classroom and clinical experiences. The program is designed to prepare nurses for the National Certification Corporation (NCC) Neonatal Nurse Practitioner exam. The curriculum teaches students to diagnose and treat common conditions in newborns. In addition, it covers topics such as physiology, pharmacology, and family-centered care.
There are a variety of neonatal nurse practitioner programs available, including an MSN and a doctoral program. Both options require a significant commitment of time and money, but can lead to an exciting career in nursing. Many schools offer online and hybrid options, which allow you to attend classes in person and on the internet.
Nurses who complete a neonatal nurse practitioner program may be responsible for the treatment of pre-term and full-term infants with acute and chronic illnesses. They may also provide counseling and emotional support to families during this stressful time. The graduate programs offered by these schools are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). In addition to their rigorous coursework, the programs include hands-on clinical rotations at local hospitals and medical facilities.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Colleges
A neonatal nurse practitioner is an advanced practice role that specializes in the care of newborns. These nurses are licensed and certified to perform a wide range of health assessment, diagnostic and therapeutic invasive procedures on pre-term and full-term infants. They also provide education, guidance and support to families. This specialization requires a significant time and financial commitment.
The best neonatal nurse practitioner colleges are those that have a strong track record of student success and can offer a flexible schedule to accommodate working nurses. One such program is offered by the University of Connecticut, which offers a 44-credit master’s degree in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP). The curriculum includes coursework and clinical experiences focused on neonatal and perinatal health nursing.
Another good option for working nurses is Regis University’s MSN with a specialization in neonatal nurse practitioner. This fully online program uses synchronized online courses and two in-person immersions, and it features low tuition rates for students from Texas. This program is available to registered nurses who hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Jobs
Neonatal nurse practitioners work in a variety of settings, including neonatal intensive care units, high-risk labor and delivery, newborn nurseries, developmental follow-up clinics, and primary care. They play a vital role in the lives of pre-term and full-term infants, as well as children up to age two. Their primary duties include assessing and treating patients and their families. They also teach new parents how to care for their babies.
Neonatal nurses often have a highly emotional job. They often have many hours on their feet caring for several infants, and they must constantly monitor their patients’ health. Moreover, these nurses must be able to handle stressful situations such as when an infant is abandoned or lost.
Those interested in becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner should earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing. Then, they can complete a master’s degree in nursing with a neonatal focus. Some online programs also exist, which allow students to study and take courses remotely. This option is ideal for those who cannot afford the cost of a traditional college education.
How to become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner is a highly rewarding career choice, but it requires commitment to education and work experience. The first step is earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, which will prepare you for advanced practice nursing. The BSN curriculum will include general-education courses like math, literature, and statistics as well as a variety of nursing and medical classes.
NNPs work closely with neonates, or newborns, who may be ill due to prematurity, low birth weight, respiratory distress and other problems. They must be able to assess and treat these infants, and they must be able to make quick decisions. Prospective NNPs should have a deep interest in this particular patient population and be comfortable working in high-stress environments.
Those interested in becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner can pursue a degree through online programs such as Rush University’s NNP DNP. The program focuses on the specific needs of newborns, and it connects students with local healthcare facilities. It also has stellar first-time pass rates on national exams for nurse practitioner licensure.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Certification
Neonatal nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who focus on the medical management of newborn infants in hospitals and other healthcare settings. Their responsibilities include assessing, diagnosing, and managing the health of babies. They also provide family-centered care and collaborate with physicians. Nurses must pass a certification exam to become a neonatal nurse practitioner.
A good neonatal nurse practitioner program offers a highly specialized curriculum and includes extensive clinical experiences in newborn nurseries, intensive care units, and outpatient clinics. This enables them to make a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic invasive interventions.
The National Certification Corporation (NCC) offers a certification exam for neonatal nurse practitioners. The requirements for this exam include a current RN license, successful completion of an accredited graduate nurse practitioner program that meets NCC’s program requirements and prepares Neonatal Nurse Practitioners, and clinical experience. These programs are typically offered through master’s and DNP programs. Certificate-prepared applicants are no longer accepted by NCC. Nurses must also complete continuing education courses and/or renew their RN license periodically to maintain certification as a neonatal nurse practitioner.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Education
The neonatal nurse practitioner education is designed to prepare nurses for advanced practice with newborns and high-risk infants in tertiary care settings. Its courses are offered in online format and are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Students who choose to pursue an MSN or DNP degree can expect to complete roughly 40 credit hours of coursework. These programs are typically flexible and can be completed on a part- or full-time basis.
Graduates of these programs are eligible to apply for national certification through the National Certification Corporation. However, they should note that their credentials may not be recognized by all state boards of nursing.
The neonatal nurse practitioner education is a great option for nurses who are interested in working in the neonatal intensive care unit. The program teaches the latest in diagnostic reasoning, patient management, and leadership skills. It also includes coursework in anatomy, physiology, embryology, and pharmacology. This advanced degree is available at many universities, including Old Dominion University and Baylor University. Rush University offers an accelerated program that allows nurses with a BSN or MSN to graduate in just 3.5 years. The program also connects students with healthcare facilities to provide them with clinical practicum experiences.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Salary Texas
Neonatal nurse practitioners care for the youngest and most vulnerable population: newborn infants. Many of these infants are born prematurely or with medical complications that require immediate treatment, such as low birthweight and malformations. These infants are often admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where specialized nurses treat them.
Typically, nurse practitioners work in physician’s offices and clinics. However, hospitals also employ a significant number of nurse practitioners. Those who are interested in becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner should consider pursuing an advanced certificate from a college or university. These certificates provide a thorough education in neonatal nursing and prepare students for the national certification exam.
The salary for a neonatal nurse practitioner in Texas depends on the location of the job and the type of employer. Nurses who work per diem usually choose to travel to a different hospital for each shift, but those who prefer to remain full-time can earn a competitive salary. In general, nurse practitioners in Texas make more than their peers in other states.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Questions and Answers
‥ Enroll in a BSN program to earn a degree in nursing.
‥ Obtain a BSN degree.
‥ Passing the NCLEX-RN test.
‥ Obtain Training to Become a Licensed Registered Nurse.
‥ Learn Nursing in Postsecondary Institutions.
‥ Obtain certification as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP).
In the US, a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner gets an average salary of $108,653.
A neonatal nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse who has at least two years of experience working as a bedside registered nurse in a Level III NICU and who is qualified to practice across the continuum, giving neonates, infants, and toddlers up to age two primary, acute, chronic, and critical care.
The NNP’s responsibility is to give high-risk newborns with the treatment they require owing to low birth weights, prematurity-related problems, cardiac defects, infections, or other illnesses. However, some NNPs may provide care for young children with chronic illnesses up to the age of two.
A program can be finished in two to three years, and the majority of them can be finished either full- or part-time.
An entry-level neonatal nurse practitioner makes, on average, $38.40 per hour, or $6,660 per month or $79,870 annually.
The typical workweek for a neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) is forty hours.
In 2020, there were 6,558 NNPs, or slightly more than 2% of the more than 325,000 certified nurse practitioners in the country at the time. The annual growth rate for the total number of NNPs has stayed steady at 2%.
As of June 26, 2025, the average hourly pay for a Nurse Practitioner – Neonatal in the United States will be $65; however, the range will likely be between $60 and $70.
The average graduate tuition and fees for programs in neonatal nursing and nursing are $15,997 for in-state students and $31,064 for out-of-state students.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is necessary to pursue a career as a neonatal nurse practitioner, just like any other of the highest-paying nursing positions.
To apply for a position as a neonatal nurse, you must be a registered adult nurse, child nurse, or midwife.
‥ Baylor University
‥ Ohio State University
‥ Rush University
‥ Creighton University
‥ Emory University
‥ University of South Alabama
‥ Duke University
‥ Old Dominion University
‥ University of Connecticut
‥ East Carolina University
The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is where NNPs primarily work in hospitals, while some may work in delivery rooms and clinics.
Think about becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner if you love working with infants and want to do more.
Due to the NICUs’ expanding capacities, there is a great demand for neonatal nurse practitioners. Because of the rise in preterm births, there are more infants who need specialized neonatal care.
‥ Holding an active RN license in the United States or Canada
‥ Having at least two years of specialty-related experience
‥ Have worked in the speciality field for the past two years