Neonatal nursing education is usually sought by nurses with Bachelor of Science degrees. According to PayScale.com, as of July 2010, registered nurses and neonatal nurse practitioners earn average salaries of $50,000 and $80,000, respectively. Most neonatal nursing courses are graduate programs, but some are available without the master’s option. Typical course work includes a foundation in nursing theory, research practices, pharmacology and clinical practices in a neonatal care unit.
Neonatal nursing education is usually sought by nurses with Bachelor of Science degrees. According to PayScale.com, as of July 2010, registered nurses and neonatal nurse practitioners earn average salaries of $50,000 and $80,000, respectively. Most neonatal nursing courses are graduate programs, but some are available without the master’s option. Typical course work includes a foundation in nursing theory, research practices, pharmacology and clinical practices in a neonatal care unit.
Baylor University
Nurses will find Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing a viable option for neonatal nursing education, as the Dallas, Texas, school offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree with an Advanced Neonatal Nursing major. The Nurse Practitioner Study program is an option for nurses with a master’s or doctorate.
Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing 3700 Worth St. Dallas, TX 75246 214-820-4111 baylor.edu
Arizona State University
The Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Arizona State University offers a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner track for nurses seeking postbaccalaureate education. The program focuses on application of theory, advanced pathophysiology and health assessment, among other foundational courses. Full-time nurses might find this program especially attractive as it offers a hybrid distance education format, allowing them to learn from home while being on-campus only two or three times per semester after orientation.
Arizona State University College of Nursing and Health Innovation 500 N. Third St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 602-496-2644 nursingandhealth.asu.edu
University of California San Francisco
Preparation for leadership roles as neonatal nurses is the focus of the University of California-San Francisco’s Neonatal and Pediatric Nursing programs. The Neonatal Nursing Advanced Practice degree is a two-year gateway program for a Master of Science degree. Students can choose between a nurse practitioner track and a neonatal clinical nurse specialist track. Both require full-time enrollment.
The University of California School of Nursin N-319X, Box 0602 San Francisco, CA 94143 415-476-9000 ucsf.edu
University of Florida
The University of Florida offers the only Master of Science with an emphasis in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program in the state, according to its website. This degree focuses on the management of patients and families, tools for neonatal care and management of high-risk patients. The neonatal program is Internet-based, though students must have one year of clinical practice with neonatal patients to complete the program.
University of Florida College of Nursing P.O. Box 100197 Gainesville, FL 32610 352-273-6331 ufl.edu
Vanderbilt University
Two years of nursing experience is a prerequisite for admission to the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing’s Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program. It provides education in caring for critically ill pre-term and full-term infants thorough studies of embryology, pharmacology, physiology and patient and family management. Graduates can take the National Certification Corp. exam, which allows them entry-level positions as nurse practitioners. The program has both traditional and distance education formats; often the clinical practice placement can be in the student's home location.
Vanderbilt University Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program 420 Godchaux Hall 461 21st Ave. South Nashville, TN 37240 615-343-2682 nursing.vanderbilt.edu
East Carolina University
East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C., trains students for neonatal care by providing theoretical and practical groundwork. Full-time and part-time enrollment plans are available; coursework focuses on research and theory, philosophical perspectives, physiology and pharmacology. The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program is a gateway program for a Master of Science in Nursing.
East Carolina University College of Nursing 600 Moye Blvd. Greenville, NC 27834 252-744-6423 nursing.ecu.edu
University of Pennsylvania
Core courses in the University of Pennsylvania's Penn Nursing Science school Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program include pediatric pharmacology, research methods and advanced physiology. Additional coursework focuses on high-risk neonatal theory, assessment and clinical practices. A full-time course of study and a two- or three-year part-time degree plan are available.
University of Pennsylvania Penn Nursing School Claire M. Fagin Hall 418 Curie Blvd. Philadelphia, PA 19104 215-898-8281 nursing.upenn.edu
Northeastern University
Northeastern University’s Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program in Boston offers a one-year full-time program or a two-year part-time program with clinical work at the city’s top hospitals. The program requires at least two years of experience working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. For nurses with master’s degrees, a Certificate of Advanced Study option is available.
Northeastern University 360 Huntington Ave. Boston, MA 02115 617-373-2000 northeastern.edu
Wayne State University
Detroit's Wayne State University offers a Master of Science program with a major in Advanced Practice Nursing with Neonates. The program’s foundation is promoting health, disease prevention, clinical management and family care. Core courses include health economics, research and theoretical foundations. Students can take the National Certification Corp. exam at the completion of the program.
Wayne State University College of Nursing 5557 Cass Ave. Detroit, MI 48202 313-577-4070 nursing.wayne.edu
University of Texas
Curriculum for The University of Texas at Austin’s Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program emphasizes stabilizing patients, disease prevention and family-centered care. The program uses a Touchpoints Training developmental model to offer care to patients and families. Admission requires two years of experience with newborns, including one year of practice in Level III NICU. A Master of Science in Nursing Nurse Practitioner program and a post-master’s in nursing program are available.
The University of Texas Austin School of Nursing 1700 Red River St. Austin, TX 78701 512-471-7311 utexas.edu
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Kara Benoit began her writing career in 2003. Her articles have appeared in "The Colorado Springs Gazette," and her writing focuses on running, fitness, exercise and health-related topics. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in media management and a Master of Arts in organizational communication from the University of Colorado.