Program Overview

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Introduction to the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program

The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) program is designed to prepare advanced practice nurses to provide high-quality care to neonates and their families. The program requires one year of full-time, Level III NICU nursing experience prior to beginning the NNP major.

Program Curriculum

The NNP program curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in neonatal care. The curriculum includes:

• Inquiry I: Theoretical Foundations
• Advanced Pathophysiology
• Foundations for the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• Integrated Assessment of the Neonate
• Health Problems for the Neonate
• Advanced Management of the Acutely Ill Neonate
• Advanced Management of Neonates with Complex Health Problems
• Leadership for Quality Healthcare within Organizations and Systems
• Ethical Issues in Advanced Nursing Practice
• Health Care Delivery and Finance in Advanced Practice
• Health Policy, Legislation and Legal Issues in Advanced Practice

Full-Time Curriculum

The full-time curriculum is designed to be completed in two years. The curriculum includes:

Fall Semester I

• NURS 405: Inquiry I - Theoretical Foundations (2 credits)
• NUNP 416: Integrated Assessment of the Neonate (3 credits)
• NURS 453: Advanced Pathophysiology (4 credits)
• NUNP 405: Foundations for the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (3 credits) Total: 12 credits

Spring Semester I

• NURS 425: Inquiry II - Research Process (3 credits)
• NURS 430: Advanced Pharmacology (3 credits)
• NUNP 412: Health Problems for the Neonate (4 credits)
• NURS 431: Psychosocial and Spiritual Dimensions of Advanced Nursing Practice (2 credits) Total: 12 credits

Summer Semester I

• NURS 502: Inquiry III - Evidence-Based Practice (2 credits)
• NUNP 413: Advanced Management of the Acutely Ill Neonate (3 credits) Total: 5 credits

Fall Semester II

• NUNP 414: Advanced Management of Neonates with Complex Health Problems (5 credits)
• NURS 451: Leadership for Quality Healthcare within Organizations and Systems (3 credits)
• NURS 444A: Ethical Issues in Advanced Nursing Practice (1 credit)
• NURS 444B: Health Care Delivery and Finance in Advanced Practice (1 credit)
• NURS 444C: Health Policy, Legislation and Legal Issues in Advanced Practice (1 credit) Total: 11 credits

Part-Time Curriculum

The part-time curriculum is designed to be completed in three years. The curriculum includes:

First Year

• Fall Semester I:
  • NURS 405: Inquiry I: Theoretical Foundations (2 credits)
  • NURS 453: Advanced Pathophysiology (4 credits) Total: 6 credits
• Spring Semester I:
  • NURS 430: Pharmacology and Therapeutics for the Advanced Practice Nurse (3 credits)
  • NURS 444C: Health Care Delivery, Legal and Ethical Issues in Advanced Practice: Policy and Legal (1 credit) Total: 4 credits
• Summer Semester I:
  • NURS 425: Inquiry II: The Research Process (3 credits) Total: 3 credits

Second Year

• Fall Semester II:
  • NUNP 416: Newborn Assessment (3 credits)
  • NURS 405: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner I (3 credits) Total: 6 credits
• Spring Semester II:
  • NUNP 412: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner II (4 credits)
  • NURS 502: Inquiry III:Evidenced Based Nursing Practice (2 credits)
  • NURS 444A: Health Care Delivery, Legal and Ethical Issues in Advanced Practice: Ethical Issues (1 credit)
  • NURS 444B: Health Care Delivery, Legal and Ethical Issues in Advanced Practice: Finance (1 credit) Total: 8 credits
• Summer Semester II:
  • NUNP 413: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner III (3 credits)
  • NURS 431: Psychosocial and Spiritual Dimensions of Advanced Nursing Practice (2 credits) Total: 5 credits

Third Year

• Fall Semester III:
  • NUNP 414: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner IV (5 credits)
  • NURS 451: Leadership for Quality Healthcare in Systems (3 credits) Total: 8 credits

Accumulated Total Hours

The accumulated total hours for the NNP program is 40 credits.

Admission Requirements

One year of full-time, Level III NICU nursing experience is required prior to beginning the NNP major. Clinical nursing courses must be taken in the semester and sequence listed above. Clinical course availability is based upon enrollment.

Lead Faculty

The Lead Faculty for the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program is Sarah Gutin Barsman PhD, MSN, NNP-BC, MBE, MN, RN.