ADVANCE CARE FOR NEWBORNS AND FAMILIES
With expertise in embryologic, physiologic, and pathophysiologic foundations of neonatal conditions, Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNP) provide advanced, comprehensive care to high-risk newborns and their families.
Differentiated Student Expected Outcomes
The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner is prepared to:
- Provide advanced, evidence-based care to high-risk infants and their families by applying theory, research, and clinical expertise in the neonatal setting.
- Design, implement, and evaluate health care strategies while engaging in evidence-based practice and research implementation to improve neonatal outcomes.
- Demonstrate leadership and adaptability to influence policy, drive innovation, and contribute to the ongoing advancement of the neonatal nurse practitioner profession.
Emphasis Information
Fall 2025 (Semester credits: 10)
NURS 6670 – Advanced Evidence‑Based Practice and Research
NURS 6671 – Biostatistics for Evidence‑Based Practice
NURS 6760 – Role of the Nurse Practitioner
NURS 6780 – Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
Spring 2026 (Semester credits: 11)
NURS 6672 – Advanced Population Health
NURS 6767 – Clinical Diagnostic Reasoning
NURS 6782 – Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan
NURS 7406 – Advanced Health Assessment of the Neonate
Summer 2026 (Semester credits: 8)
NURS 6675 – Healthcare Finance & Economics
NURS 6676 – Informatics and Healthcare Technologies
NURS 6677 – Systems‑Based Practice & Leadership
NURS 7290 – Embryology & Neonatal Transition
Fall 2026 (Semester credits: 12)
NURS 7170 – Neonatal Pathophysiology I
NURS 7407 – Advanced Neonatal Pharmacology
NURS 7305 – Neonatal Diagnostic Reasoning I
NURS 7373 – Management of Pediatric Patients: Newborn–Early Childhood
NURS 7675 – Neonatal Procedures & Simulation I
Spring 2027 (Semester credits: 12)
NURS 6673 – Quality & Safety
NURS 7171 – Neonatal Pathophysiology II
NURS 7306 – Neonatal Diagnostic Reasoning II
NURS 7931 – NNP Practicum I (120 direct clinical hours)
NURS 7676 – Neonatal Procedures & Simulation II
Summer 2027 (Semester credits: 5)
NURS 7911 – Doctor of Nursing Project Planning
NURS 7932 – NNP Practicum II (180 direct clinical hours)
Fall 2027 (Semester credits: 9)
NURS 7482 – Professional Issues for the Nurse Practitioner
NURS 7933 – NNP Practicum III (300 direct clinical hours)
NURS 7912 – Doctor of Nursing Project Implementation
Spring 2028 (Semester credits: 7)
NURS 7913 – Doctor of Nursing Project Evaluation & Dissemination
NURS 7934 – NNP Practicum Immersion (300 direct clinical hours)
Program Total Credits: 74
View the University of Utah Catalog.
Total cost estimate for the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program:
- Resident: $62,700
- Non-resident: $128,100
- Western Regional Graduate Program: $77,200
This cost estimate covers only tuition and mandatory student fees. Possible program and course fees are not included. Other expenses, such as book, supplies, and travel, are not reflected. Amounts are rounded to the nearest $100 and are based on the 2025-2026 College of Nursing tuition table provided by the Bursar and use the 2025 Program of Study for this specialty track. Possible tuition increases or changes to a student's program of study are not reflected. Tuition and fees are subject to change at any time. The University of Utah only charges resident rates during summer semesters.
Students are encouraged to use the University's Tuition Estimator tool below to get a more specific tuition estimate for each semester. Possible program and course fees are not included. Other expenses, such as books, supplies, and travel are also not reflected. The Cost of Attendance is an estimate of school-related expenses a student can expect for the academic year or semester of enrollment, and general Tuition Schedules are maintained by the University's Bursar's office. The University of Utah maintains comprehensive cost of attendance information in accordance with the Higher Education Act of 1965, section 472.
For additional questions, please reach out to Heather Clarkson at Heather.Clarkson@nurs.utah.edu.
Graduates are prepared to sit for national certification from the National Certification Corporation (NCC) as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP-BC). Upon successful completion of the exam, candidates are eligible to become certified or licensed to practice.
The National Certification Corporation requires the equivalent of 2 years of full-time clinic practice experience (within the last 5 years) as a registered nurse (RN) in the care of critically ill neonates or infants in critical care inpatient settings is required before a student begins clinical courses. Students may enroll in preclinical courses while obtaining the necessary practice.
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester
Opens: September 1
Closes: December 1, 11:59PM MT
Contact Us
Kim Friddle, PhD, NNP-BC, MS
Specialty Track Director
kim.friddle@nurs.utah.edu
Shelley Kern, MPC
DNP Program Manager
shelley.kern@nurs.utah.edu