Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (MS/CAGS)
Overview
A neonatal nurse practitioner is prepared to make independent decisions in level 2 and level 3 NICUs, drawing on their experience and diagnostic abilities to affect lives every day.
We require applicants to have at least two years of full-time nursing experience in a level 3 or greater NICU before entering our MS program, and most have more than that. As a registered nurse, you already have a significant base of nursing knowledge. The neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) MS program focuses on advanced nursing knowledge and clinical practice. You will:
- learn advanced diagnostic reasoning
- carry out independent management of patients and their families
- develop the expertise necessary to care for high-risk neonates and their families
- become proficient at delivery room management of high-risk neonates
We also offer a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAGS) for experienced nurses who have a master’s degree in nursing and want to specialize in neonatal critical care. One year of full-time study will increase your skills and experience and enable you to sit for the neonatal nurse practitioner certification exam offered by the National Certification Corporation for the obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing specialties.
The Northeastern University Nurse Practitioner Programs prepare nurses for professional licensure as Nurse Practitioners within a population focus. The program in which you are enrolled prepares you to practice in any state, based on the information posted on each state’s nursing licensure website as of 2021. Please refer to the complete list of state licensure requirements here: professional licensure disclosures on the University’s Consumer Information page. Please contact your program director with any questions about professional licensure.
Admissions Requirements
- Minimum GPA of 3.0, with grades of ‘B’ or better, is required in all nursing courses
- Successful completion of a statistics course that includes probability theory and hypothesis testing, and taken within ten years of entering the program
- Official transcripts for all previous college work
- Up-to-date resume
- Personal statement indicating applicant’s personal goals and expectations of the program
- 3 letters of recommendation
- At least two years of full-time nursing experience in a level 3 or greater NICU before entering the MS program
- Current U.S. RN Licensure
- Current Certification in Advanced Practice Role if appropriate
Please note that all letters of recommendations and Official transcripts must be submitted via NursingCAS.
Contact Information
Gretchen Hamn
102 Robinson Hall
[email protected]
Curriculum
We offer one-year full-time and two-year part time options. Both options feature:
- advanced physiology and pathophysiology
- early assessment and evaluation of the high-risk neonate
- common life-threatening illnesses encountered by neonate
- advanced nursing management and technology needed by critically ill neonates and their families
- pharmacology specific for neonatal nurse practitioners
- roles of clinical expert, manager, educator, consultant, and client advocate
Sample Curriculum
Neonatal NP
PROFESSIONAL CORE
- NRSG 7105 Translating Research Evidence into Practice
- NRSG 7110 Evidence Based Practice Research Applications
- NRSG 5121 Epidemiology and Community Health
- NRSG 5118 Health Care Systems and Professional Development
11 Credits
Clinical Core
- NRSG 5126 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice
- NRSG 5117 Advanced Pharmacology
- NRSG 6116 Advanced Health Assessment of the Neonate
- NRSG 6232 Neonatal Pharmacology
10 Credits
Theory and Clinical
- NRSG 6230 Nursing Management Critically lll Neonatal l
- NRSG 6231 Nursing Management Critically lll Neonatal ll
- NRSG 6430 Neonatal Clinical Practicum l
- NRSG 6431 Neonatal Clinical Practicum ll
- NRSG 6432 Neonatal Clinical Practicum lll
16 Credits
Total Credits MS 41
NEONATAL CAGS CURRICULUM
PRE-REQUISITE OR EQUIVALENT
Required Courses & Semester Hours
- NRSG 5126 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice
- NRSG 5117 Advanced Pharmacology
5 Credits
REQUIRED COURSES
Required Courses & Semester Hours
- NRSG 6232 Neonatal Pharmacology
- NRSG 6230 Nursing Management Critically lll Neonatal l
- NRSG 6231 Nursing Management Critically lll Neonatal ll
- NRSG 6116 Advanced Health Assessment of the Neonate
- NRSG 6430 Neonatal Clinical Practicum l
- NRSG 6431 Neonatal Clinical Practicum ll
- NRSG 6432 Neonatal Clinical Practicum lll
21 Credits
Electives
3 Credits
Total Credits CAGS 24
Experiential Learning and Clinical Placement
The neonatal nurse practitioner program at Northeastern University is a 100% on line program. This allows students to achieve their dream of obtaining their Masters in Nursing: Advanced Practice Nurse, neonatal, from the convenience of their home. Your clinical practicum will begin in the first semester of your second year of study. During your clinical practicum you will learn the skills necessary, while working closely with your clinical preceptor. Students will work with their Advisor to arrange clinical placements in the local NICU’s in your geographical area.
Because you will be working with many types of medical personnel over the course of your career, it is essential that you come to understand different practice techniques and styles. Our program exposes you to multiple preceptors (most of whom are program graduates) so that you can learn about different methods and approaches.
Northeastern’s outstanding reputation in practice-oriented education means that we have established work sites at many of the finest hospitals and medical institutions.
If you reside in the Boston area you can carry out your practice at:
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Boston Children’s Hospital
- Tufts Children’s Hospital
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- UMASS Memorial Health Care
- Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island
Other affiliations across the country include, but are not limited to:
APPLY
To the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program