[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-sm text-right”]Source: American Associateion of Nurse Practitioners[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Does a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Do?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NNPs typically work in hospital inpatient units like the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), but some work in delivery rooms and clinics. These nursing professionals provide critical care to sick and premature infants and assist their families, which can be emotionally demanding but also rewarding. NNPs work closely with specialty physicians and often supervise registered nurses (RNs).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Featured Online MSN Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Where Do Neonatal Nurse Practitioners Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to data collected by the National Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NANNP), most NNP jobs are in [hen-ui-link href=”https://nann.org/uploads/NNPWorkforceWhitePaper.pdf” target=”_blank”]hospitals or hospital systems[/hen-ui-link]. Almost 60% of NNP work primarily in a level III NICU and approximately 33% work in level IV units, which treat the most serious cases.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NNPs might find work in these common settings:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Level III NICU[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Level III NICU NNPs order tests and adjust treatments as needed, coordinate care with specialists such as respiratory therapists, and communicate with parents.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Level IV NICU[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]At this level, NNP jobs may include tasks such as putting infants on life support, determining immediate analysis of tests and escalation of care, and collaborating with other neonatal specialists on treatment plans.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Community/Home Care[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NNPs work with families with severely ill newborns on their ongoing treatment, educating them on how to care for their child’s condition and when to seek further treatment. They may also act as primary care providers for infants with serious health problems.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Neonatal Nurse Practitioners vs. Neonatal Registered Nurses[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While professionals in both roles provide necessary care to infants, the additional training and education that NNPs undergo enables them to provide a higher complexity of care than neonatal RNs and to take on leadership roles. Neonatal RNs hold at least two years of education and complete an RN certification exam. Neonatal NPs must earn a graduate degree and pass an advanced certification exam.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Earn a BSN.[/hen-ui-heading]While nurses can be licensed as RNs with an associate degree in nursing, nurse practitioners need to [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/”]earn a BSN[/hen-ui-link] or equivalent.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Pass the NCLEX-RN to receive RN licensure.[/hen-ui-heading]Nurses need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN) to earn their license. This [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nclex/guide/”]national nursing exam[/hen-ui-link] mostly consists of adaptive multiple-choice questions.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Gain nursing experience.[/hen-ui-heading]Most MSN-NP programs require or at least give admission preference to applicants with 1-3 years of full-time RN experience. Applicants must maintain an unrestricted RN license.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Earn an MSN or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).[/hen-ui-heading]NNPs must complete an advanced degree. [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/”]MSN programs[/hen-ui-link] usually take two years of full-time study, plus field work. [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/dnp//”]DNP degrees[/hen-ui-link] can take longer to complete.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Pass the NNP certification exam to become board certified.[/hen-ui-heading]This national examination, administered by the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.nccwebsite.org/certification-exams/details/6/neonatal-nurse-practitioner” target=”_blank”]National Certification Corporation[/hen-ui-link], assesses whether a graduate can safely provide care as an NNP.[/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Do Neonatal Nurse Practitioners Make?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NNPs can gain access to high salaries and ample job opportunities. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners survey results, NNPs earned a 2019 [hen-ui-link href=”https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-MQsMuhMAcxDIomDrw1j4-6PUjROAy5U/view” target=”_blank”]median base salary of $122,500[/hen-ui-link] and a median annual total compensation of $130,500.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Salaries for NNPs vary significantly by geographic location and workplace setting. The 2019 annual base salary for a [hen-ui-link href=”/state/california/nurse-practitioner-programs/”]nurse practitioner in California[/hen-ui-link] [hen-ui-link href=”https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-MQsMuhMAcxDIomDrw1j4-6PUjROAy5U/view” target=”_blank”]was $130,000[/hen-ui-link], compared to a base salary of $105,000 in both Arkansas and Kentucky. Nurse practitioners working in hospital inpatient settings earned an annual median base salary of $131,000, while those working in community health centers earned $102,000 per year.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In line with nurse practitioners as a whole, NNPs are in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 52% job growth rate for nurse practitioners between 2020 and 2030, much higher than the national average for all occupations.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-article-card title=”Find State-Specific Salary Data” href=”/nurse-practitioner/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How long does it take to become an NNP?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It takes at least six years to become an NNP, including six years of education (BSN and MSN), plus the two years of RN experience typically required for admission to an MSN program.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Can NNPs prescribe medicine?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Like all nurse practitioners, NNPs can prescribe medications in most states, including controlled substances. In some states, nurse practitioners must work in collaboration with or under the supervision of a physician to prescribe controlled substances.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How much does an NNP make in a year?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]AANP survey results report a 2019 median annual base [hen-ui-link href=”https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-MQsMuhMAcxDIomDrw1j4-6PUjROAy5U/view” target=”_blank”]of $122,500[/hen-ui-link] and a median annual total compensation of $130,500. Salaries vary significantly by geographic region and workplace setting. NNP salaries are highest in larger communities with higher costs of living.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Where do NNPs work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most NNP jobs are in hospital inpatient settings, typically in NICUs. Some NNPs work in community or clinic settings, usually assisting families in caring for a child after release from the NICU.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Resources for Neonatal Nurse Practitioners[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.coinnurses.org/” target=”_blank”]Council of International Neonatal Nurses[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]COINN seeks to improve neonatal outcomes globally through promoting standards, advocacy, and sharing resources. While individuals are welcome to join, it works primarily as an international affiliation of organizations that seeks to strengthen neonatal nursing worldwide.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”http://nann.org” target=”_blank”]National Association of Neonatal Nurses[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NANN issues publications, provides continuing education and other professional development, and offers fellowships. Membership is open to nursing students and RNs. NANN members who are NPs can join a special section for NNPs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.awhonn.org/” target=”_blank”]Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]AWHONN’s mission focuses on nurse empowerment, research, and advocacy. It offers professional continuing education, such as fetal heart monitoring courses, and advocates for women’s and infant health. Membership is open to nurses and nonnurses, but only RNs can vote or hold office.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nbnpa.enpnetwork.com/” target=”_blank”]National Black Nurse Practitioner Association[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Focused on advancing the careers of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), NBNPA fosters community and practices philanthropy. To facilitate their mission, NBNPA promotes networking and provides scholarships. Membership is open to APRNs; monthly meetings occur in the Houston, Texas area.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Pages[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”44511,34307,45561,34159″][/hen-ui-article-row]