Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
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
Revised Plan of Study (Starting Academic Year 25-26)
Legacy Plans of Study (Prior to 25 Fall Semester)
Fall 2025
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
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
NURS 6675 – Healthcare Finance & Economics
NURS 6676 – Informatics and Healthcare Technologies
NURS 6677 – Systems‑Based Practice & Leadership
NURS 7290 – Embryology & Neonatal Transition
Fall 2026
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
NURS 6673 – Quality & Safety
NURS 7171 – Neonatal Pathophysiology II
NURS 7306 – Neonatal Diagnostic Reasoning II
NURS 7931 – NNP Practicum I
NURS 7676 – Neonatal Procedures & Simulation II
Summer 2027
NURS 7911 – Doctor of Nursing Project Planning
NURS 7932 – NNP Practicum II
Fall 2027
NURS 7482 – Professional Issues for the Nurse Practitioner
NURS 7933 – NNP Practicum III
NURS 7912 – Doctor of Nursing Project Implementation
Spring 2028
NURS 7913 – Doctor of Nursing Project Evaluation & Dissemination
NURS 7934 – NNP Practicum Immersion
Program Total Credits: 74
View the University of Utah Catalog.
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