If you're interested in pursuing neonatal nursing as an advanced practice specialty, you can choose from master's, post-master's certificate or doctoral programs in the field. Read about characteristics of top neonatal nursing schools.
What Should I Look For in a Neonatal Nursing Program?
If you're seeking a top school for neonatal nursing, you might look for colleges and universities that offer neonatal nursing education in combination with another specialty, such as pediatric nursing, which could lead to more job options once you've graduated. You also might look for schools that offer clinical practicums at pediatric hospitals that are highly ranked in the area of neonatalogy, as well as nursing schools that have received national recognition. Additionally, you might seek a program whose graduates boast high passage rates on the National Certification Corporation's Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NP) certification exam.
<h2 id="section---WhatAreSomeTopNeonatalNursingSchools">What Are Some Top Neonatal Nursing Schools?</h2><h3 id="section---DukeUniversityInDurhamNC">Duke University in Durham, NC</h3><p><i>U.S. News & World Report</i> ranked Duke University #2 for best nursing schools: master's and Duke's Children's Hospital and Health Center was named the 17th best pediatric hospital for neonatology. Duke's Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with a specialty in neonatal NP can be completed full- or part-time. Candidates for this degree undertake clinical experience in nursery settings. Neonatal NP programs offered through Duke include the following:
</p><ul><li>MSN with Neonatal NP Specialty
</li><li>Post-master's Certificate in Neonatal NP
</li></ul><h3 id="section---VanderbiltUniversityInNashvilleTN">Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN</h3><p>Vanderbilt University was ranked #8 for best nursing schools: master's in the nation by <i>U.S. News</i> in 2019 and the Monroe Carell, Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt ranked 18th for neonatology. Vanderbilt offers neonatal NP students the chance to continue working as they pursue their graduate-level certificate or degree through a combination of online and weekend courses, as well as clinical placements close to their homes. Neonatal NP programs at Vanderbilt include the following:
</p><ul><li>Master of Science in Nursing with Neonatal NP Specialty
</li><li>MSN for BSN Certificate-Prepared Neonatal NPs
</li><li>Post-master's Certificate in Neonatal NP
</li></ul><h2 id="section---TenSchoolsThatOfferNeonatalNursingDegrees">Ten Schools That Offer Neonatal Nursing Degrees</h2><p></p><table border="1"><tr><th>College/University</th><th>Institution Type</th><th>Location</th><th>Estimated Graduate In-State Tuition*</th></tr>
<tr><td>East Carolina University </td><td>4-year, Public</td><td>Greenville, NC</td><td>$8,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>University of Pennsylvania</td><td>4-year, Private</td><td>Philadelphia, PA</td><td>$39,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ohio State University</td><td>4-year, Public</td><td>Columbus, OH</td><td>$12,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>University of Indianapolis</td><td>4-year, Private</td><td>Indianapolis, IN</td><td>$37,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Wayne State University</td><td>4-year, Public</td><td>Detroit, MI</td><td>$18,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Case Western Reserve University</td><td>4-year, Private</td><td>Cleveland, OH</td><td>$45,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Stony Brook University</td><td>4-year, Public</td><td>Stony Brook, NY</td><td>$13,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Thomas Jefferson University</td><td>4-year, Private</td><td>Philadelphia, PA</td><td>$22,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Northeastern University</td><td>4-year, Private</td><td>Boston, MA</td><td>$24,000</td></tr>
<tr><td>Emory University</td><td>4-year, Private</td><td>Atlanta, GA</td><td>$42,000</td></tr>
</table><p><i>*Source: NCES, U.S. Department of Education</i></p>
