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Meet our Program Directors
Valerie Moniaci, MSN, RN, CNP
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Director, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program
Proctor Hall, Room 255
Phone: (513) 558-5286
Fax: (513) 558-2142
Valerie.Moniaci@UC.Edu
My educational preparation for this profession started out with an associate degree in nursing. I knew early on that if I had planned to advance in this profession that I needed additional education. I completed my bachelors degree at Andrew’s University and my masters degree at the University of Cincinnati. I have strong desires to complete a PhD in nursing in the near future.
My entire career has focused on the neonate due to my love of babies and children. I worked for thirteen years as a bedside nurse in a level III NICU then once I completed my masters obtained a position as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner which I have been doing for the past fourteen years.
I began teaching at the University of Cincinnati initially as a preceptor for the NNP program then ultimately advanced to director of the program. I teach all of the neonatal specific content for the program and also work side by side with students in the clinical practice arena. I continue to practice as a NNP which I feel enhances the experience that I bring to the students in my program. Core program courses are taught by University of Cincinnati nursing professors.
FAQ's
How long does it take to complete the program?
The program
can be completed on either a full- or a part-time basis. Full-time students
can complete the program in five quarters. Part-time students can progress
at their own speed.
Are any of the courses available online?
All neonatal-specific
courses are available on Blackboard, and distance-learning students have been
very successful on the NCC examination. However, online classes do require
high motivation and the ability to work independently through the coursework,
while maintaining the appropriate schedule for completion.
What will completion of the program allow me to do?
Completion
of the program will prepare you to take the National Certification Corporation
examination as a neonatal nurse practitioner. In Ohio you cannot obtain licensure
as a nurse practitioner without passing a certification examination. Students
from this program have been very successful on this examination.
NNP positions are widely available across the country. The majority of neonatal nurse practitioners work in the hospital setting, managing a caseload of patients. Work hours vary depending on unit needs.
Where do I complete clinical hours?
The program includes
a minimum of 600 hours of clinical time, which is completed at a variety of
units throughout the Cincinnati-Dayton-Columbus area. A core group of experienced
preceptors work one-on-one with students, guiding them through the clinical
experience. Students also accompany me to the unit where I practice so that
I can also work with them individually. Contracts can be negotiated for students
who wish to complete clinical time at units not routinely utilized by this
program.
Do I have to be admitted to the program to start coursework?
Students
can register for a limited number of courses prior to matriculation into the
program. We recommend contacting the College of Nursing graduate program advisor
prior to obtain information concerning registration.
Do I need experience as a nurse prior to starting the program?
New
graduates can complete this program and be successful in the NNP role. My current
recommendation is that students have at least two years of bedside nursing
experience in a level-3 NICU prior to advancing to the NNP role. In the past,
I have allowed new graduates to enter into the program after completion of
their BSN and complete the core and neonatal coursework over the first one-and-a-half
to two years of the program. The intense clinical component is held until the
end, and the student can concentrate on the clinical area in a new role. This
allows students to stay in school, work on their degree and obtain some clinical
experience at the same time. This role in particular is enhanced when you have
a level of bedside clinical experience that you can bring with you. I can also
individualize additional clinical experiences for seasoned nurses who wish
to change to a new area of nursing.
How do I apply to the program?
To get started, go to the
University of Cincinnati College of Nursing Web site and fill out the required
applications. All applications are available online, and this is the preferred
method. You will need to submit three references and evidence of success on
the GRE for admission into the College of Nursing. Once these are completed,
I will contact each student and complete an interview for entry into the program.
I can be reached by phone or e-mail, so please feel free to contact me personally and discuss your education goals.
