Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)

Neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) are experts in neonatal care and provide advanced medical management and support to families during times of significant stress. Practitioners work collaboratively with other health care providers in both acute and non-acute settings as they assess, diagnose and manage the health of newborns and infants. Family-centered and development care are also focuses of a neonatal nurse practitioner.

An NNP is an advanced practice registered nurse who specializes in the care and treatment of preterm and full-term newborn infants through the first few years of their lives. The NNP manages high-risk infants in an intensive neonatal hospital setting independently and often in collaboration with a neonatologist or other specialist. NNPs also may work in private practices outside of the acute care setting.

According to the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN), nurse practitioners with less than five years of experience earned a mean base salary of $119,000, from their 2020 Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Workforce Survey of over 800 NNP responses.

Prior education, certification and clinical practice are among the requirements for acceptance into a nurse practitioner program. We’ve based these steps off of the National Certification Corporation (NCC) – Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP-BC) certification. Here is a step-by-step guide to becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner.

NNP programs are MSN level degrees, and RNs are required to have current, valid experience to be considered for admission to the program. 

Neonatal nurse practitioner programs are offered across the country in both on-campus and online formats, such as online nurse practitioner programs. Because many nurses are working full time while taking classes, programs may offer a mix of weekends on campus, phone conferences, online blackboards and clinicals in the nurse’s hometown to avoid the need for frequent travel to campus or relocation while in school.

After graduation, students will be able to sit for the national certification exam offered by the NCC and then work as entry-level providers. Many schools will post pass/fail rates on the NCC certification as it relates to their graduates, and applicants may consider this data when applying to the school.

While attending the program full time will reduce time to degree completion, it is not always possible for working RNs. Individual program length will vary according to a student’s personal circumstances and schedule. Nurses who already hold a master’s degree may apply for a post master’s certificate program and will complete classes as determined by their university’s program administrators.

National Certification Corporation (NCC) – Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP-BC)
Eligibility Requirements: Active RN license, master’s degree or higher from a graduate nurse practitioner program.
Fees: $325 for application and testing.
Renewal: Certifications must be renewed every three years; the renewal fee is $100.

Information on the NCC certification for neonatal nurse practitioner was retrieved as of October 2021. For the most up-to-date information, refer to NCC’s website.

Last updated October 2021.