DNP Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
A Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) is a master’s or doctorally prepared advanced practice nurse who provides advanced nursing care to neonates up to two years of age in a variety of clinical settings including neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in both the academic and community setting, delivery services, and follow-up clinics. NNPs work collaboratively with other health team members to provide holistic healthcare that includes resuscitation, stabilization, health promotion, disease prevention, and diagnosis and management of acute and chronic illnesses. The scope of NNP practice encompasses acute and primary care. Classes are online.
BSN to DNP students and MSN to DNP students adding a certification in a new specialty area must have two years of nursing experience in the area of Neonatal Nursing prior to starting the clinical portion of their program.
Applicants must have a minimum of 2 years Level III or higher NICU experience prior to starting the specialty option clinical component.
All students in the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner specialty are required to attend one* mandatory Clinical Skills Intensive (CSI) provided by the USA Simulation Program during the fall term in which they are registered for MCN 568 and MCN 571.
The clinical skills intensive provides hands-on instruction and practice for procedures pertinent to the care of the Neonate. Students have the opportunity to request their preferred session on a first come, first serve basis. Simulation will contact students via Jag Mail with information on how to sign-up three months prior to the scheduled dates.
Please note the dates are for Clinical Skills Intensives only. The track coordinator may provide orientation dates, which are separate from CSI and Simulation.
The program does not require a thesis or dissertation; however, students are required to complete an evidence-based scholarly project that results in a quality improvement change and has a substantial effect on healthcare and patient outcomes. Residency requirements for the scholarly project can be completed in the student’s home region with an approved mentor.
BSN-DNP students complete all support, MSN specialty, DNP Core, DNP Project Planning & Development and Residency courses for a total of 69 credit hours. The following DNP core courses are required for the completion of the MSN degree: NU 607, NU 608, NU 610, and NU 613. Both MSN and DNP degrees must be completed within seven years. The MSN portion must be completed within the first five years of the program.
MSN-DNP students adding a new specialty must complete the support courses if they have not previously completed the courses in their MSN program. They must complete the specialty courses and support courses, if needed, to complete the Post-Graduate Certificate. The DNP core, DNP Project Planning & Development, and Residency courses are required for completion of the DNP degree. This program is a total of 60 credit hours or 69 credit hours if support courses are needed. The Post-Graduate Certificate must be completed within two calendar years. The student has seven years to complete both the Post-Graduate Certificate and DNP degree for this program.
MSN-DNP for Advanced Practice Roles must only complete the DNP core, DNP Project Planning & Development, and Residency courses to complete the DNP degree. This is a total of 36 credit hours. The student has a total of seven years to complete the degree requirements.
| Curriculum |
|---|
| Support Courses |
| NU 518 - Advanced Nursing Assessment 3 credit hours |
| NU 545 - Physio-pathological Basis of Advanced Nursing 3 credit hours |
| NU 578 - Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses 3 credit hours |
| Neonatal NP Specialty Courses |
| MCN 568 – Introduction to Neonatal NP 3 credit hours |
| MCN 571 – Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Neonatal/Pediatric Acute NP 2 credit hours |
| MCN 572 – Neonatal NP I 3 credit hours |
| MCN 573 – Neonatal NP Practicum I - 180 Clinical Hours 3 credit hours |
| MCN 574 – Neonatal NP II 3 credit hours |
| MCN 575 – Neonatal NP Practicum II - 180 Clinical Hours 3 credit hours |
| MCN 576 – Neonatal NP Practicum III - 240 Clinical Hours 4 credit hours |
| MCN 577 – Neonatal NP III 3 credit hours |
| DNP Core Courses |
| NU 607 - Scientific Underpinnings of Advanced Nursing Practice 3 credit hours |
| NU 608 - Evidence-Based Practice and Quality Improvement in Healthcare 3 credit hours |
| NU 610 - Healthcare Policy and Finance 3 credit hours |
| NU 613 - Organizational & Systems Leadership 3 credit hours |
| NU 611 - Translating Evidence Into Practice Systems 3 credit hours |
| NU 612 - Clinical Prevention and Population Health 3 credit hours |
| NU 615 - Quality Improvement and Outcomes Assessment 3 credit hours |
| NU 616 - Data Management & Decision Making in Complex Healthcare Systems 3 credit hours |
| Neonatal NP DNP Project Planning & Development and Residency |
| MCN 674 - Neonatal NP PP&D 3 credit hours |
| MCN 675 - Neonatal NP Residency I - 180 specialty clinical hours 3 credit hours |
| MCN 676 - Neonatal NP Residency II - 180 specialty clinical hours 3 credit hours |
| MCN 677 - Neonatal NP Residency III - 180 specialty clinical hours 3 credit hours |
The University of South Alabama Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program provides the skills necessary for a rewarding career. Graduates are eligible and prepared to complete the appropriate national certification exam and apply for licensure to practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). It is the graduate’s responsibility to ensure the program meets the requirements to practice in their selected state or U.S. territory.
Contacts
Please feel free to contact Dr. Penni Huffman for more information about this specialty: pennicoates@southalabama.edu.