Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Nursing (Neonatal Nurse Practitioner) program at Loma Linda University is designed to prepare students for a career as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. The program is divided into four parts: Core Courses, Concentration Courses, Clinical Experience, and DNP Project.

Program Description

The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) role is to serve as a provider meeting the needs of low- and high-risk neonates and their families in a variety of settings, including neonatal intensive care units, labor and delivery, well baby units, outpatient clinics, and during transport services. They provide and manage comprehensive health care to critically ill and convalescing neonates and their families, while collaborating with maternal child healthcare disciplines. Coursework includes advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment and diagnostic reasoning across the lifespan, meeting LACE requirements for practice. Graduates are eligible to sit for The National Certification Corporations (NCC) examination to certify Neonatal Nurse Practitioners.

Program Structure

The program consists of:

1. Core Courses: 4 days each quarter on-campus with online interaction, mentored-inquiry courses.
2. Concentration Courses: Pharmacology I & II, and Advanced Pathophysiology meet up to four times a quarter.
3. Clinical Experience: The clinical experience is a combination of clinician hours and DNP Project hours to total at least 1000 hours.
4. DNP Project: The DNP Project can be done in the workplace, allowing students to collect evidence-based research data.

Program Length

The program is 3 years and 9 months full-time, or 5 years part-time.

Possible Careers

• Neonatal intensive care units
• Labor and delivery
• Well baby units
• Outpatient clinics and during transport services

Application Deadlines

• Fall: April 15 (quarter begins in September)
• Winter: October 1 (quarter begins in January)

Admissions Requirements

Education

• Baccalaureate degree or equivalent in nursing from an accredited institution.

Academic Performance

• Minimum GPA of 3.0, both cumulative and in nursing coursework.

Licensure

• Current unencumbered United States RN license at the time of application.
• California RN license must be obtained before the start of classes and maintained throughout the program.

Experience

• Minimum of one year of full-time RN experience is required before matriculating into clinical courses (applies to most programs).

Certification

• Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR) certification.
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification required before matriculation and must be maintained until program completion.

Recommendations

• Two electronic recommendations:
  • Required: Recent nurse manager or director
  • Additional may be either of the following:
    • Nursing peer
    • Spiritual advisor

Interview Process

• Completion of the Emotional Intelligence Interview Process, which includes a meeting (in person or via Zoom) with the program coordinator and another Graduate Nursing Program faculty member.

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates are prepared for certification by the State of California and the American Nurses Association as a Nurse Practitioner. Loma Linda University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The California Board of Registered Nursing granted continuing approval in 2010 to the School of Nursing.

Expected Cost of Attendance

Required Program Costs

• Year 1: $23,092 (Tuition & Fees) + $2,165 (Books, Materials, Supplies & Equipment Allowance)
• Year 2: $30,120 (Tuition & Fees) + $1,560 (Books, Materials, Supplies & Equipment Allowance)
• Year 3: $32,128 (Tuition & Fees) + $1,850 (Books, Materials, Supplies & Equipment Allowance)
• Year 4: $36,144 (Tuition & Fees) + $720 (Books, Materials, Supplies & Equipment Allowance)

Other Educational Costs

• Living Expense (Food & Housing Allowance):
  • On Campus Dorm: $12,447 (Year 1), $16,596 (Year 2-4)
  • LLU Owned Rental Property: $21,942 (Year 1), $29,256 (Year 2-4)
  • LLU Owned Rental w/ Dependents: $22,437 (Year 1), $29,916 (Year 2-4)
  • Undergraduate Dependent w/ Parents: $7,650 (Year 1), $10,200 (Year 2-4)
  • Off Campus: $21,942 (Year 1), $29,256 (Year 2-4)
• Transportation Allowance: $3,150 (Year 1), $4,200 (Year 2-4)
• Miscellaneous Personal Expenses: $3,285 (Year 1), $4,380 (Year 2-4)
• Federal Student Loan Fees: $216 (Year 1-4)
• Cost of Obtaining Professional License: $0 (Year 1-3), $2,100 (Year 4)
• Dependent Care and Disability-Related Expenses are available upon request.

Notes

• Tuition/Fees is an estimation based on 3 quarters with an average of 10 units (2 classes) per quarter.
• Living Expenses are calculated for financial aid purposes and are based on 3 quarters (9 months).
• Actual amounts may vary.
• 70-75% of LLU Nursing students receive financial aid.
• Estimated amounts are for the academic year specified only and are expected to increase each year consistent with inflation in the professional education sector.