Specialty Highlights
Complete in 4 Full-time Semesters
A part-time, 7-semester plan is also available
Hybrid Learning Format
Online classes with 5 in-person sessions over the course of the program
Robust Clinical Experience
770 hours of directly supervised clinical practice
For Experienced Nurses Only
RNs must have at least two years of current Level III-IV experience
Vanderbilt’s NNP education was very strong and it prepared me to practice in our collaborative practice environment.
Prestigious Program with Exceptional Outcomes
- Students learn from doctorally prepared faculty and leading neonatal providers, including neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, geneticists and pediatric sub-specialists in surgery, endocrinology, neurology and pharmacology.
- Vanderbilt is one of the few universities to offer this highly specialized, highly skilled specialty.
- VUSN NNP graduates are usually employed before or soon after graduation from the program.
- Classes are small and collaborative, with low faculty-to-student ratios and personalized attention.
- Applicants must have recommendations from an NNP and a neonatologist who have worked with the applicant in a clinical setting.
Curriculum & Objectives
The curriculum balances interactive, online learning with in-person clinical, lab and class hours. Students develop diagnostic reasoning skills, evaluate advanced therapeutic interventions and work collaboratively with health care team members. The curriculum provides in-depth content about embryology, neonatal physiology, pathophysiology and family dynamics using a developmental approach. Students learn current management strategies and use evidence-based practice.
The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner curriculum incorporates the 2021 AACN Essentials, assuring Vanderbilt students receive a comprehensive and up-to-date education that meets the highest standards in nursing education and assures they are well-prepared for practice.
Explore the MSN full-time, MSN part-time and sample Post-Master's Certificate curriculums.
Clinical Experience
The School of Nursing’s full-time clinical placement team partners with students and faculty to create enriching clinical practicums, ensuring each student receives robust training in their specialty. Clinical experiences are arranged in students’ preference region whenever possible. In this highly specialized specialty, most students obtain their clinical experience in their workplace at neonatal intensive care nurseries (Level II, III, IV).
Time Commitment
This intensive specialty is best suited for motivated, self-directed learners who can master large amounts of complex material in a short time. Balancing full-time work with the program’s rigorous, full-time, accelerated curriculum is not recommended, although the specialty can be completed on a part-time basis. Many NNP full-time students continue to work in either part time, weekend or PRN positions. The time commitment for the NNP specialty is four semesters (16 months) for full-time.
Outcomes
Our graduates work in acute and critical care settings, delivering care and management of infants in areas such as neuromuscular problems, fluid and nutritional requirements, drug addiction, respiratory distress, cardiac defects, metabolic conditions and renal anomalies. Graduates are prepared to take the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner certification exam offered by the National Certification Corporation.
The neonatal nurse practitioner program excels in equipping students with the advanced clinical skills and compassionate care techniques essential for addressing the complex needs of our smallest patients.
Our comprehensive curriculum, hands-on training, and dedicated faculty ensure that graduates are exceptionally prepared to make a profound impact in the neonatal care field from day one.
Take the Next Step
The Neonatal NP specialty is available as part of the Master of Science in Nursing, Post-Master's Certificate and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. Contact our admissions counselor Lauren Watt with questions. For more information from the specialty director, view this webinar.