Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)

Providing urgent, specialized care for premature infants

Neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) are advanced practice nurses who focus on the management and care of critically ill infants and their families. The scope of their practice covers birth through two years of age. Their role encompasses activities that detect illness, facilitate restoration and maintenance of the health of neonates as well as advocacy for quality patient and family care. NNPs practice in newborn nurseries and levels II, III, and IV neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

The neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) program at FPB was reestablished in 2001 with support from Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Students have clinical experiences at a number of area hospitals with certified Neonatal Nurse Practitioners serving as preceptors. The didactic portion of this program is on-line with the majority of the required prerequisites in intensive format or on-line. Clinical sites will be established in Level III NICU's for long-distance students in the area where they are residing.

These hospital systems include but are not limited to: Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Children's Hospital and their affiliates, MetroHealth Medical Center, and Akron Children's Hospital. These Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU's) provide students with a wide range of experiences in the management of acute and chronically ill high risk neonates throughout their hospitalization.

The nurse graduate of the NNP program has the knowledge and skills to assess, plan, intervene appropriately and evaluate care of neonates as well as provide education for parents and families. Students are eligible to take the NNP certification examination through the National Certification Corporation upon graduation.

NNPs focus on the management and care of critically ill infants, chronically ill infants and their families. NNPs are in high demand with over 600 opened positions nationwide. One year of full-time, Level III NICU nursing is required prior to beginning this program.

• Please download our information sheet (PDF)

Resources are available specific to the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program. A post-master’s certificate option is available for this program. Contact Amy Bieda for more information.

Sample Full-Time Curriculum

Fall Semester I

Spring Semester I

Summer Semester I

Fall Semester II

Accumulated Total Hours: 40

The Advanced Practice Core courses are co-requisites or pre-requisites for the clinical nursing courses. Clinical nursing courses must be taken in the semester and sequence listed above. Clinical course availability is based upon enrollment.

Sample Part-Time Curriculum

Fall Semester I

Spring Semester I

Summer Semester I

Fall Semester II

Spring Semester II

Summer Semester II

Fall Semester III

Accumulated Total Hours: 40

The Advanced Practice Core courses are co-requisites or pre-requisites for the clinical nursing courses. Clinical nursing courses must be taken in the semester and sequence listed above. Clinical course availability is based upon enrollment.

Contact Amy Bieda for more information about the NNP Program.