Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Please note: Because of individual state nursing board regulations, this program is limited to residents of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. This program may have occasional campus visits, but these may be made available in a virtual format. Students will be notified well in advance of these events.

Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Certification examination offered through the National Certification Corporation. Certified NNPs have the opportunity to practice in a variety of settings, often in neonatal intensive care units.

Applicants must have a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice from an accredited nursing school and two years of full-time acute care work experience as a registered nurse. Students may enter the program with one year of experience, but cannot begin clinical rotations until they document two full years of clinical experience. Qualifying acute care settings include:

• Level II or III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
• Pediatric or cardiac intensive care units that provide care for a large percentage of patients from birth to age 2.

Students gain hands-on experience in neonatal intensive care units in the greater Cincinnati area. Experienced preceptors guide students' learning experiences and provide them with opportunities to practice in a safe and secure environment. The program requires 600 clinical hours: 100 in well-baby care, 350 in a Level III NICU and 150 in a Level IV NICU.

A student's plan of study for the post-master's certificate is determined when he or she is accepted and matriculates into the program. Required coursework is based on the student's completed master's coursework.

If you have specific questions about the program, contact the Office of Student Recruitment at 513-558-8400 or nursingbearcats@uc.edu.