MSN Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
The neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) specialty in our MSN program prepares graduates to provide 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. The program also prepares graduates for doctoral study. Graduates of the program are able to synthesize and apply advanced knowledge, theories, and research to a specialized area of nursing practice and function as leaders in practice to contribute to the advancement of the nursing profession.
The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Track classes are only available online. However, there is a mandatory three (3) to four (4) day orientation held during the fall semester of the first practicum course. Attendance is required and will allow for questions and interaction with course faculty. Various clinical skills workshops will be held during the orientation.
Students enrolled in the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program are required to complete clinical hours with a qualified preceptor. The College of Nursing has contracts with agencies in many areas of the U.S. Please review our clinical affiliations list on the College of Nursing website, Clinical Affiliation Agencies to determine if we already have an agreement with an agency in your area where you can complete your clinical hours. If we do not have an agreement with an agency in your geographical location, please contact Dr. Penni C. Huffman at pennicoates@southalabama.edu. prior to submitting your application.
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.
BSN-MSN students complete all support, MSN core, and MSN specialty courses for a total of 45 credit hours. The MSN degree must be completed within five years of matriculation.
| 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 |
| MSN 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 |
| 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 |
| RN to MSN students who are registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a non-nursing discipline must also complete the following courses. |
| RN-MSN Courses |
| NU 506 - Evidence-Based Practice & Informatics for Professional Nurses 4 credit hours |
| NU 507 - Leadership & Management Roles for Professional Nurses 4 credit hours |
| NU 508 - Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Professional Nurses 4 credit hours |
The University of South Alabama Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program provides the skills necessary for a rewarding career. Graduates are prepared to complete the appropriate national certification exam and may be eligible to apply for licensure to practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).
Contacts
Please feel free to contact Dr. Penni Huffman for more information about this specialty: pennicoates@southalabama.edu.