Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)

1. BSN degree from an accredited institution.
2. Active, valid, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state(s) of clinical placement.
3. Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 (including upper-division coursework).
4. Minimum of 2 years of recent RN experience in a Level III neonatal nursery or equivalent acute care neonatal setting.
5. Application documents: official transcripts, resume/CV, personal statement, and three professional references (one preferably from a clinical manager).

The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) specialization at UTMB prepares registered nurses to become expert advanced practice clinicians focused on the healthcare needs of neonates, particularly those in NICU and delivery settings. The track combines advanced coursework in neonatal physiology, advanced health assessment, pharmacology, neonatal diagnostics, and professional nursing roles with substantial clinical practicum experiences across neonatal care environments. Students develop competencies in evidence-based clinical decision-making, risk assessment, interdisciplinary collaboration, family-centered care, and quality improvement. Graduates are eligible to sit for national certification through the National Certification Corporation (NCC) as NNPs upon completion.