The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program with a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) clinical specialty prepares nurses for advanced practice in the care of high-risk neonates.

The curriculum combines both broad foundational knowledge essential for the care of neonates as a vulnerable population, as well as specialty knowledge in high-risk neonatal care. The NNP clinical specialty focuses on health promotion, prevention of disease and disability, evidence-based clinical management of disease processes, and family-integrated care.

The goal of this innovative clinical specialty is to prepare advanced practice nurses who will promote the health and development of neonates as individuals and as a population encountering changing health care systems within urban, rural and global environments. Upon completion, students are eligible to take the NNP certification examination through the National Certification Corporation (NCC).

Please note: The equivalent of two full-time years of RN experience in a level III or IV NICU is required prior to the start of the clinical course sequence.

Learn more about this career path in an episode of our Nightintales podcast