Guide to Online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs
Key Takeaways
- Neonatal nurses care for newborns with complex medical conditions and can pursue specialized education.
- Accredited programs teach neonatal health assessment, advanced pharmacology, and critical care skills, preparing graduates for AACN certification.
- Earning an advanced degree, such as an MSN or DNP, enhances expertise, career opportunities, and leadership potential in NICU settings.
Neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) play an essential role in treating newborns from birth to one month. Typical responsibilities include assisting new parents with post-birth care, testing newborns for common disorders, and helping families research and choose care strategies.
Qualifying for this career requires more than an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing. You must have a master’s degree to become an NNP. Explore the online neonatal nurse practitioner programs that can help you reach your career goals.
Career at a Glance: NNP
- According to Payscale, NNPs earned an average base salary of $120,310 as of October 2025.
- Between 2024 and 2034, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects nurse practitioner (NP) jobs to grow by 40%, which is much faster than average.
- Top employers for NPs include physicians’ offices, general medical centers, and outpatient care centers.
- Employers in Florida, Texas, and California hire the most NPs in the United States.
Types of Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs
You can advance your education with a master’s, doctorate, or post-graduate certificate. Registered nurses (RNs) with a bachelor’s or associate degree in nursing can earn a master’s to qualify for a nurse practitioner license. Doctoral degrees and certificate programs may appeal to practicing NPs who want to learn the latest nursing skills and best practices.
The following information provides a general overview of credit and time requirements; however, these vary among universities.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
44-55 credits
Required Credits
2 years (full time)
Program Length
MSN in neonatal nursing programs feature a rigorous curriculum emphasizing:
- Advanced practice
- Population health
- Care management
Although online neonatal nurse practitioner programs allow degree-seekers to complete coursework online, graduation requirements include many in-person intensives and/or clinical rotations. Practicing RNs may complete these in-person experiences at their job site. Graduates must earn this degree to qualify for a state-issued nurse practitioner license.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
76-82 credits
Required Credits
3.5 years (full time)
Program Length
DNP programs in neonatal nursing help nurses with a BSN or MSN advance their careers. Coursework may cover:
- The science of healthcare delivery
- Economic drivers in healthcare management
- Leadership development
Courses like these prepare graduates to work as healthcare administrators, healthcare consultants, and postsecondary instructors.
Like MSN degree programs, DNP programs require clinical rotations. Other graduation requirements may include writing a paper for publication or completing a comprehensive examination.
Post-Graduate Certificate
22-31 credits
Required Credits
31.5 years (full time)
Program Length
Post-graduate certificates in neonatal nursing are a great choice for practicing nurse practitioners who want to develop advanced practice skills and qualify for leadership roles specifically in neonatal nursing. In class, learners study:
- Neonatal assessment theory
- Neonatal disease process
- General assessment
Students then apply what they have learned in the online classroom during a role-playing practicum or clinical rotation. This experience helps students develop crucial decision-making skills and learn from expert NNPs.
Can I take neonatal nursing courses online?
Top universities offer online NNP programs. Degree and certificate programs may offer synchronous or asynchronous curricula. As scheduled online courses may conflict with your job, research synchronous course requirements closely before applying.
Although you can complete coursework online, master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs require in-person experiences. Fortunately, practicing registered nurses can complete these experiences on the job. Speak with a manager or human resources specialist to learn more about how your employer supports nurses in school.
How Much Does an NNP Program Cost?
Full-Time Annual Tuition and Fees for Health Programs
$18,275
Master of Science
$22,097
Professional Doctorate
$13,842
Graduate Certificate
Note: The above averages are based on 2019-2020 tuition and fees for full-time graduate students studying healthcare.
As you review these figures, keep a few things in mind:
- Online degrees and programs are often more affordable than in-person programs.
- Your total cost of attendance (COA) includes education-related expenses, such as textbooks and transportation.
- Public universities may waive out-of-state tuition for online degree-seekers.
- Some online programs waive fees and may provide free digital textbooks.
Beyond federal and institutional aid, explore private scholarships for nursing students. U.S. pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson provides undergraduate and graduate nursing students with a comprehensive list of the latest scholarship and grant opportunities. Searching by degree type can help you narrow down your options and start preparing an application portfolio.
How to Get Into an Online NNP Program
Comparing online NNP programs’ application requirements can help you find the best fit. Regardless of the degree or program, make sure to submit all application materials before the deadline. Reach out to enrollment advisors if you have questions or need help. See the chart below for a list of application requirements for each program type:
How to Choose the Best NNP Program for You
- 1
Identify your goals.
Identifying your goals well before applying to online neonatal NP programs may save you significant time and money on your education. Consider the following questions:
- What kind of nursing career do I want in 5-10 years?
- What is the potential return on investment on an MSN or graduate nursing certificate?
- How has extra education and training helped my peers at work achieve their goals?
Speaking with nurses, managers, and other medical professionals can help you make an informed decision and choose the program that offers what you need for professional success.
- 2
Check for accreditation.
Checking a nursing program’s accreditation status can tell you if a course of study:
- Meets high academic and ethical standards
- Provides a career-aligned curriculum
- Meets your state’s nurse practitioner licensure requirements
Top programs hold accreditation from either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Visiting either organization’s website can teach you more about the importance of accreditation and help you find a great program.
- 3
Consider format and length.
Whether you enroll in a certificate, master’s, or doctoral program, expect a blend of online coursework and in-person practica or clinical rotations. The latter is essential for master’s students pursuing the advanced practice license that all nurse practitioners are required to hold.
Also consider each program’s time to completion. Practicing NPs can become specialized in neonatal care in much less time via a certificate program than a doctoral program. However, you may need to enroll in the latter if your career goals include working as a senior healthcare administrator.
- 4
Compare costs and financial aid.
Lastly, compare programs’ COA with federal and institutional aid offers. Discovering financial aid gaps well in advance of starting your program can give you plenty of time to apply for private scholarships and grants.
If you need to take out student loans, take advantage of federal student loans before approaching private lenders. You may pay much less in interest compared to private loans. As of October 2025, federal student loans for graduate students charge a 7.9%-8.9% interest rate, depending on the type of loan.
Next Steps: Becoming a Certified NNP
Although the process of becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner can vary slightly between states, the following steps provide a general overview.
- Research your state’s NNP licensure requirements.
- Explore online neonatal NP programs with programmatic accreditation.
- Keep records of all supervised clinical or practicum experience.
- Pass the nurse practitioner exam required by your state.
- Submit a completed application with any required supporting materials to your state’s board of nursing.
Reach out to your state’s board of nursing if you have questions. Your program’s academic and career advisors can also answer your questions regarding the licensure process.
