The NNP program trains nurses to care for neonates in critical settings, including NICUs and clinics.
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Apply by June 30, 2026.
Submit your application soon to be considered for the upcoming cohort and allow time for any remaining requirements.
The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) program is all about preparing advanced practice nurses to provide top-notch care for both low and high-risk neonates and their families. This hands-on, in-depth program will get you ready to work in a variety of critical settings, including Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), labor and delivery, well-baby units, outpatient clinics, and even during neonatal transport services.
You'll dive into coursework on advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment—all geared specifically toward neonates. The program also focuses on diagnostic reasoning across the lifespan, meeting the LACE requirements for practice. After graduation, you’ll be eligible to sit for The National Certification Corporation’s (NCC) exam to become a Certified Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.
The NNP program trains nurses to care for neonates in critical settings, including NICUs and clinics.
Did you know?
In our NNP program, you get:
Level IV NICU placement: Coordinated as part of your program support.
Help staying on track: Structured support to maintain momentum toward on-time graduation.
No placement service fees: LLUSN coordinates your placement—no paid third-party placement services needed.
World-renowned training site: Learn in the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital environment.
The School of Nursing accepts Neonatal students in the Fall and Winter Quarters. All admission requirements must be completed by the deadline. Deadlines are as follows:
Fall – April 15 (quarter begins in September)
Winter – October 1 (quarter begins in January)
Education
Baccalaureate degree or equivalent in nursing from an accredited institution.
Academic Performance
Minimum GPA of 3.0, both cumulative and in nursing coursework.
Licensure
Current unencumbered United States RN license at the time of application.
California RN license must be obtained before the start of classes and maintained throughout the program.
Experience
Minimum of one year of full-time RN experience is required before matriculating into clinical courses (applies to most programs).
Certification
Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR) certification.
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification required before matriculation and must be maintained until program completion.
Recommendations Two electronic recommendations following:
Required: Recent nurse manager or director
Additional may be either of the following:
Nursing peer
Spiritual advisor
Interview Process (if granted by the Admissions Committee)
Completion of the Emotional Intelligence Interview Process, which includes a meeting (in person or via Zoom) with the program coordinator and another Graduate Nursing Program faculty member.
There are two fees associated with the application:
$70 for the initial NursingCAS application and a $50 secondary application fee.
NursingCAS Applicants - Transcripts must be sent by the issuing institution(s) directly to NursingCAS. You must submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions that you have attended. This includes all colleges, universities, military credit, and unaccredited schools. Transcripts provided in any other manner are considered unofficial and will not be accepted for admission.
Returning LLU Applicant - If transcripts were previously sent to Loma Linda University prior to your NursingCAS application, please contact [email protected] with your full name, application term, program name, and a brief message requesting assistance with the transcript process.
Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) As a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP), you’ll be equipped to deliver advanced, life-saving care in neonatal intensive care units. At Loma Linda University School of Nursing, you’ll gain the expertise to manage complex medical conditions in critically ill newborns, collaborate with multidisciplinary NICU teams, and provide compassionate support to families during their most challenging moments.
Postpartum Resuscitation and Stabilization In labor and delivery settings, NNPs play a vital role in newborn resuscitation and post-delivery stabilization. You’ll assess and care for infants immediately after birth, identify and address urgent health concerns, and guide families through the first critical hours of life to ensure a healthy start for every baby.
Well-Baby Units You’ll also be trained to provide expert neonatal care in well-baby nurseries, where you’ll monitor newborn health, manage minor complications, and educate parents on newborn care. This foundational experience helps families transition confidently from hospital to home.
Outpatient Clinics, Regional Infant Centers, and Neonatal Transport Graduates of Loma Linda’s Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program are prepared to work in outpatient clinics, regional infant centers, and high-risk follow-up programs, offering continued care to premature or medically fragile infants. You’ll also be qualified to participate in neonatal transport services, ensuring the safe transfer of newborns who require specialized care—while delivering expert support throughout the journey.
Take charge of your learning with Loma Linda’s Hybrid model. Enjoy the freedom of online learning—without sacrificing the in-person experiences that make you a confident, practice-ready nurse practitioner. Study remotely when life demands it, then join us on campus to refine the hands-on clinical skills that set Loma Linda graduates apart.
All DNP programs are offered in our Hybrid format, blending online instruction with scheduled live sessions for real-time connection and collaboration. During each 11-week quarter, you can attend in person or online for select core courses—usually around mid-quarter (week 5).
Clinical placement can feel like the biggest “unknown” in nurse practitioner education. Here’s what you can expect at LLUSN.
Step 1: Plan early
We outline requirements and timing so you know what’s coming before clinical quarters begin.
You’ll receive guidance on what documents, certifications, and onboarding items are needed for clinical readiness.
Step 2: Placement coordination
Our team coordinates your clinical placement as part of your program support.
Placements are arranged at a Level IV NICU at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital or within Southern California, typically within a 90-mile radius of Loma Linda (varies by clinical needs and availability).
Step 3: Stay on track support
Schedules and expectations are communicated early so you can plan work and life around key dates.
If a clinical change occurs, our team helps coordinate next steps so your progress stays as smooth as possible.
Bottom line: You are not alone in clinical planning—LLUSN is built to support consistency and momentum.
Do I have to find my own preceptor or clinical site? No. LLUSN guarantees and coordinates your placement as part of your program support.
Does LLUSN charge a clinical placement fee? No. There are no separate placement fees charged by LLUSN.
What if I’ve heard of students paying for placement services? Some NP students nationally choose to pay third-party placement services depending on their program, region, or personal situation. That is not a fee charged by LLUSN.
How far will I need to travel? Clinical placements are usually arranged at the Loma Linda University's Childrens Hospital Level IV NICU or within Southern California, typically within a 90-mile radius of Loma Linda. Travel can vary by course needs, site availability, and your schedule.
Can I request a specific site? You may share preferences, and we’ll consider them when possible—clinical decisions must align with learning outcomes, availability, and onboarding requirements.
Will clinical placement delay my graduation? We coordinate early and support you throughout the process to help you stay on track. Like any clinical program, timelines can be influenced by onboarding/site requirements, but our model is designed to reduce uncertainty.
Hands-On Learning that Sets You Apart
Our Hybrid model gives you the freedom of online learning—without losing what makes nursing education truly powerful: real, in-person experience.
While many classes can be completed remotely, some courses require on-campus attendance for essential labs, simulations, or clinical intensives. These aren’t just “requirements”—they’re your chance to step into our state-of-the-art simulation labs, connect with expert faculty, and practice the advanced skills that set you apart in the real world.
Schedules for all required in-person sessions are provided early each quarter, so you can plan ahead and balance your life with confidence.
NGRD 624 – Advanced Health Assessment (4 units)
This class includes 4–6 on-campus lab sessions during the quarter. You’ll develop your advanced assessment skills with direct and expert feedback.
Clinical and Practicum Courses
Direct Clinical Hours: 630–750 hours (varies by specialty). Clinical placements are arranged within Southern California, typically within a 90-mile radius of Loma Linda.
DNP Project: Completed in your workplace, allowing you to apply evidence-based practice directly in your professional environment.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates are prepared for certification by the National Certification Corporation (NCC).
Advanced practice nurse graduates, Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), are certified by the State of California Board of Registered Nursing and eligible to apply for certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Corporation, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, as appropriate for the area of professional practice. The California State Board has approved all programs offered at the Loma Linda University School of Nursing. Many states may offer a compact license to individuals already licensed in California. If this opportunity is of interest to you, please contact your program director. Students who decide to pursue a license in another state should check with the applicable licensing authority in that state.
When evaluating the cost of a BS-to-DNP pathway, it helps to compare what’s included—not just the headline tuition number.
Included at LLUSN:
Guaranteed clinical placement coordination (no separate placement fees charged by LLUSN)
Direct clinical hours (program requirements vary by specialty)
Hyperflex delivery with required in-person skill-building when it matters
DNP project May be completed at your workplace, depending upon contracts and workplace policy, allowing you evidence-based practice in the real world
Structured planning support to help you maintain momentum toward graduation
A note on “hidden costs” in the broader NP landscape: In some programs nationally, students may spend substantial time searching for sites—or choose to pay third-party placement services. LLUSN is designed to reduce that uncertainty by coordinating placement as part of program support.
Want help planning financially? We’re happy to walk through a realistic cost-of-attendance plan and timeline with you.
Loma Linda University's Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) concentration offers a comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum designed to prepare you for a rewarding career in neonatal care. With a focus on compassionate service, clinical excellence, and hands-on training in real-world settings, you'll be ready to provide specialized care to newborns in various healthcare environments.
Loma Linda University is committed to whole-person care and is recognized for its dedication to health sciences education. By choosing Loma Linda, you join a legacy of professionals making a profound impact on the health and well-being of infants and their families across the world.
Dr. Toby D. Richards, DNP Program Coordinator, SN-Nursing (Neonatal, NP), School of Nursing Assistant Professor, Nursing – Graduate
As Program Coordinator, Dr. Richards supports the Neonatal NP student experience—from program guidance to helping students stay on track through key milestones.
Loma Linda University’s NNP program is designed to reduce the biggest uncertainty in graduate nursing education: clinical placement. With placement coordination built into the program, you can stay focused on learning—not scrambling for sites. You’ll train in a world-class Level IV NICU environment and gain broad exposure across neonatal care to graduate confident and practice-ready.
➡ Why Choose Loma Linda?
Guaranteed Clinical Placements
You read that correctly: clinical placement is included. You won’t be asked to find your own site—our team coordinates your placement as part of your program support, with no separate placement fees charged by LLUSN. The result is a more reliable clinical experience so you can stay on track and focus on becoming an exceptional NNP.
➡ Why Choose Loma Linda?
Hyperflex: Online when you want. In person when it matters.
Our DNP coursework is built for working nurses—combining flexible online learning with live sessions and required on-campus intensives. You’ll get the convenience of remote study plus hands-on experiences that help you strengthen advanced clinical skills, build confidence, and apply what you’re learning in real-world neonatal practice.
