Master of Science in Nursing - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Alyssa Weiss, Program Director
The neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) provides population-focused health care to preterm (<37 weeks) and term neonates, infants, and children up to 2 years of age. As a key member of an interprofessional team, the NNP participates in a wide variety of complex patient care activities in settings that include, but are not limited to, all levels of neonatal inpatient care in both academic and community-based settings; transport, acute care, and chronic care settings; delivery rooms; and outpatient settings. Student clinical experiences are designed to prepare the graduate to practice as an NNP providing direct patient care in a newborn nursery, or in a Level II, III, or IV NICU. Successful completion of the program qualifies students to register for the examination for certification as neonatal nurse practitioner. For admission requirements see the website for the School of Nursing at http://www.odu.edu/nursing or contact the program director. The MSN - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program is offered in an online/hybrid format.
Admission
Program Application Deadlines
Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner - Priority Deadline May 1
Admission Requirements for the MSN Graduate Program
In addition to meeting University requirements, applicants must meet the admission criteria below.
*Note: Some MSN tracks may have additional requirements. See program description for more information.
- Current, unencumbered license as a registered nurse (RN), and preferred 1 year of current experience in the role.
- Must have completed an undergraduate physical/health assessment course and an undergraduate statistics or research course as confirmed by an official college transcript. Applicants who have not completed these prerequisites prior to the application deadline will not be reviewed for admission.
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing or related science field from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average.
- Three letters of recommendation with at least one from a former faculty member and at least one from a former employer while in the RN role.
- A 500-700 word essay that addresses the applicant's goals and reasons for seeking certification as an advanced practice nurse.
- A minimum of 2 years of neonatal intensive care nursing experience prior to the start of clinical courses is required.
Curriculum Requirements
Core Courses
Tracks in the MSN programs share a set of core courses that meet nursing accreditation and state approval guidelines for the degree. Regardless of the role concentration, all MSN students are required to complete the following 22 credits* of core courses.
Course List | Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| NURS 709 | Evidence-Based Research for Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 719 | Family and Community Primary Care Assessment | 1 |
| NURS 761 | Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 770 | Pathophysiology for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 771 | Physical Assessment for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 800 | Integrative Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice Roles | 3 |
| NURS 802 | The Business of Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 809 | Advocacy for Healthcare Public Policy for Advanced Practice | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 22 |
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Concentration
In addition to the 22 credits of MSN core courses, the following courses are required for degree completion of the NNP/MSN for a program total of 49 credits.
Each semester in the program students are assessed a non-refundable program fee of $450 to be paid in addition to tuition. The fee covers a variety of program-related expenses outside of tuition and books.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| NURS 751 | Developmental Neonatal Physiology | 2 |
| NURS 772 | Foundations of Advanced Neonatal Care | 3 |
| NURS 773 | Pharmacology for Advanced Neonatal Care | 3 |
| NURS 774 | Advanced Neonatal Care: High Risk Management I | 3 |
| NURS 775 | Advanced Neonatal Care: High Risk Management II | 3 |
| NURS 776 | Advance Neonatal Nursing Practicum I | 3 |
| NURS 778 | Advanced Neonatal Nursing: Practicum II | 4 |
| NURS 779 | Seminar in Pediatrics: Management of Chronic and Complex Neonatal Clinical Problems | 2 |
| NURS 789 | Advanced Neonatal Nursing Practicum III | 4 |
| 27 |
| 22 |
| Total Credit Hours | 49 |
Additional Requirements
MSN Degree Requirements
In addition to general University requirements, the following apply to candidates for the Master of Science in Nursing degree:
- Only degree-seeking or nursing certificate students may take graduate MSN nursing courses.
- Full-time study only for PMHNP and Midwifery. Full and part time options are available for CNS, PNP, FNP and NNP. Contact the graduate nursing office regarding study options for each program at (757) 683-4298 or the program director for the specific role.
- A comprehensive portfolio evaluation covering the program of study will be required for MSN students not electing to complete a thesis.
- The student must make clinical site arrangements three months in advance to take a nursing practicum to assure appropriate and available placement for the learning experience. The student must coordinate approval of clinical sites with the Program Director and School of Nursing Student Clinical Services Coordinator.
- The B grade (3.00) is the minimal acceptable grade for all courses with a NURS prefix or any course required for the degree for continuation in the master’s program. Satisfactory performance in the laboratory or practicum component of a nursing course is required. Students achieving less than a B grade (3.00) in a nursing course may request an opportunity from the role program director to repeat the course once. Two course failures will result in termination from the nursing program. Students may not progress with an incomplete in prerequisite courses as listed in the curriculum plan.
Additional requirements include physical exams, CPR certification, immunization requirements, computer competencies and technical standards, background checks and urine drug screening.
Transfers Between MSN Programs
Students may not transfer between programs in the MSN. Any student wishing to change programs may apply to a new program for admission during the regularly scheduled application process and deadline for the program. Their applications will be considered and reviewed as a new admission with the entire application pool.
Progression to the DNP
MSN students wishing to pursue a DNP must declare their intention before the final semester of their MSN program. If pursuing the DNP Advanced Practice program, NURS 805 and NURS 865 are taken in the final semester of the MSN program. Any student who has completed their MSN and did not declare their intent to pursue the DNP must apply and be considered with all post masters applicants as a new admission to the DNP program.
Transfer Credit Evaluation Policy
Any transfer credit requests must be submitted to the concentration program director within two weeks of notification of admission to the program. Once coursework has commenced for your program of study, all coursework must be completed at Old Dominion University, and no further transfer credits will be awarded.
