Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Certificate Program

Program Description

The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) University Statutory Certificate Program is designed to prepare nurses who seek advanced knowledge and skill in caring for critically ill neonates and their families. The core curriculum provide students with an in-depth understanding of science and technology of advanced nursing practice as well as humanistic relational empathy to enable them to practice in the neonatal intensive care unit. NNP's who are prepared at this master's degree level exercise sophisticated clinical judgment based on advanced theoretical and scientific knowledge and serve as models of collaborative practice with other health care professionals through clinical case management of critically ill neonates and their families. MS prepared NNP's lead in the advancement of contemporary professional nursing by contributing to practice, research and theory building.

Graduates are eligible for certification as a Certified Neonatal Nurse Practitioner in New York State . Graduates are also eligible to take the certifying examination offered by National Certification Corporation (NCC).

Admission

Please contact the Office of Student Services for details regarding admission and financial aid packages. Faculty review applications on a rolling basis so that students may apply to begin this program in the fall semester. Please note, applications for the Neonatal NP Certificate Program can only be submitted online.

Admission criteria include:

Current New York State nursing license or eligibility
Master's degree in nursing from an NLN or CCNE accredited program
One year of practice experience in a critical care environment where high risk neonatal care is provided
Satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Personal interview with program director
Three references attesting to applicant's academic ability and potential
Personal goal statement that is congruent with program goals (two pages, double-spaced, 12 pt. font)
Resume or Curriculum Vitae

Students must secure a site and preceptor for primary care student practice that is acceptable to the program director.

Curriculum

Courses	Credits
Advanced Assessment of the Neonate	2
High Risk Antepartum/Intrapartum	2
Pediatric Primary Care I	1
Advanced Assessment of the Neonate-Clinical	2
Pathophysiology and Management HR Neonate I	2
Management HR Neonate Clinical I	2
Seminar on Care of HR Neonate I	1
Pathophysiology and Management HR Neonate II	2
Management HR Neonate Clinical II	2
Practicum: Case Management HR Neonate	5
Seminar on Care of HR Neonate II	2
Core Clinical sequence	23
Depending on previous Master's program, the following courses may be added :
Maternal/Fetal Physiology	2
Advanced Physiology	3
Advanced Neonatal and Pediatric Pharmacology	3
Incorporating Genetics into Advanced Nursing Practice	3
Family Theory	2
Total Credits: Minimum 25 but may be more depending on previous Master's credits.	28

The above listing represents the basic post-master's statutory certificate in this major. Individual students may need additional course work, depending on previous study and experience. Students may receive advanced standing or exemption, based on standard School policy.

School of Nursing

The School of Nursing has paved the way for professional nursing since 1892 and continues to lead the field as the foremost institution for advanced practice nursing.

The School of Nursing is a designated World Health Organization Collaborating Center for International Nursing Development in Advanced Practice. With urban clinical sites, expert faculty practitioners, cutting edge research, and the strength of the Columbia name and reputation, the School of Nursing produces graduates who possess the skills necessary to bring advanced practice nursing into the new millennium. As medical advances offer a cascade of new and useful therapies, the need for more health care providers will increase exponentially. Our country will face many health care challenges in the next 20 years, and nurse practitioners are essential to providing access to quality primary care.

Founded in 1892 as Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, the School became part of Columbia University in 1937 and began offering the baccalaureate degree. It is one of the oldest schools of nursing in the US. In 1956, it became the first nursing program in the country to awards a master’s degree in a clinical nursing specialty. In 1999, the School granted its first doctoral degree. More than 9,000 nurses have graduated since the School opened.

The School shares the Columbia University Health Sciences Campus with the School of Public Health, the School of Dental and Oral Surgery, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Each of these schools adds to the richness and diversity of the educational experience of students and faculty.

School of Nursing faculty have substantial experience in curriculum, instructional design, and research. They maintain expertise in their areas of teaching responsibility through participation at local, regional, and national conferences, involvement in scholarly presentations and publications, and faculty practice.

Columbia University School of Nursing is distinguished by the clinical excellence of its programs and graduates. Columbia nurses are making crucial contributions and improving the health of individuals wherever they practice.