Masters Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

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We are no longer accepting admissions to the MSN Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program, as of December 31, 2018. Applicants interested in becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner who have an earned BSN are encouraged to apply to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Neonatal Nurse Practitioner BSN to DNP Concentration  program. Those with and earned MSN as a neonatal nurse practitioner may add the DNP degree by applying to the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner MSN to DNP Concentration  .

The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) is prepared to manage the health care of high-risk infants within families and children up to 2 years of age. This expanded clinician role is performed in collaboration with neonatologists and other pediatric clinicians. Graduates assume leadership roles in a variety of clinical settings including intensive care nurseries of various levels, newborn nurseries and high-risk follow-up clinics. Course work and clinical experiences focus on the care and management of critically ill and convalescent premature and full-term infants. Graduates select and perform diagnostic and therapeutic invasive procedures on newborns in the intensive care setting. Students are also prepared to participate in research.

The NNP area of concentration offers both full and part time study on the main campus in Pittsburgh. A post master’s option is also available. Selected core courses may be transmitted to distance students (additional fees apply). Graduates are eligible to take the NNP certification examination offered by the National Certification Corporation (NCC) and for legal certification as a CRNP and prescriptive privileges through the State Board of Nursing of the Commonwealth of PA.

Applicant Requirements

A baccalaureate degree in nursing from a CCNE, ACICS or ACEN [NLN] accredited program in nursing An RN-Option, Early Admission to MSN/DNP is available for this Area of Concentration. Other requirements for admission include an application, transcripts, professional references, an essay, a resume/CV, a prerequisite statistics course within the last 10 years with a grade of B- or better, and a copy of a current license to practice nursing in a state or territory of the United States. All students must obtain a Pennsylvania license prior to beginning clinical courses. Official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).The GRE may be waived if the BSN GPA IS 3.5 or higher.

Relevant clinical experience: Equivalent of 2 year full time recent (within past 5 years) practice experience as a registered nurse in the care of critically ill newborns, infants, or children in critical care inpatient settings , primarily Level III or IV NICU is required before a student begins the clinical courses