Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) Concentration

The requirements for admission into the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program include:

• Application with personal statement
• Baccalaureate or Master’s degree in nursing from a program with institutional accreditation
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Science GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the United States with an unrestricted Registered Nurse license in California BEFORE matriculation and the California RN license must be maintained until program completion.
• Minimum of two years of full-time RN experience in a Level-3 or higher NICU acute care setting where the RN must have developed critical decision making and psychomotor skills; competency in patient assessment; proficiency in monitoring and calculating infusion rates for critical care medicines and monitoring those infusions; and the ability to use and interpret advanced monitor techniques including, but not limited to mechanical ventilation and invasive monitoring for cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological status. The equivalent of 2 years of full-time clinical practice experience (within the last 5 years) in the care of critically ill neonates or infants in critical care inpatient settings is required before a student begins clinical courses.
• Current certifications – American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.
• Three strong letters of recommendation using the LLU form provided.
  • Spiritual Advisor or Pastor
  • Immediate supervisor in the NICU in which the applicant is currently working
  • NICU co-worker
• Interview granted and performed by the Neonatal NP Program Admissions Committee
• Completion of Emotional Intelligence Screening and continued participation in the Emotional Intelligence Program and course work through completion of the program

• Application deadlines: Autumn (March 5th); Winter (September 15th)

There are two fees associated with the application:

• $70 for the initial NursingCAS application and a $50 secondary application fee.

NNP's are prepared for careers in a variety of settings, including:

• Neonatal intensive care units: With Loma Linda's NNP concentration, you'll be equipped to work in neonatal intensive care units, delivering life-saving care to critically ill newborns. Your advanced training will enable you to manage complex medical conditions, collaborate with NICU teams, and provide vital support to families during challenging times.
• Labor and delivery: After completing the NNP program at Loma Linda, you'll be equipped to provide expert neonatal care in labor and delivery. Your role will involve monitoring newborns, addressing any immediate health issues, and guiding families through the critical first hours of life, ensuring a smooth transition to both mother and baby.
• Well baby units: Loma Linda's NNP program equips you to work in well-baby units, where you'll care for healthy infants post-delivery. You'll use your specialized neonatal skills to assess newborns, manage minor health concerns, and provide guidance to parents, ensuring a smooth transition from hospital to home.
• Outpatient clinics and during transport services: Graduates of Loma Linda's NNP concentration are well-prepared to work in outpatient neonatal clinics, providing follow-up care to high-risk infants and managing their long-term health. Additionally, you'll be qualified to participate in neonatal transport services, ensuring the safe transfer of critically ill newborns to specialized facilities while providing expert care en route. 

1. The DNP Program has been approved as a hybrid program with much of the academic work completed in an asynchronous manner on line. Students are required to attend and actively participate in any scheduled Zoom and face-to-face meetings scheduled for the DNP Program courses.
2. Most of the DNP Program Core courses and the prerequisite clinical courses require that students participate on-campus for 4 to 8 hours during Seminar Week in the middle of each quarter. Students are also required to be on campus to take all course exams including the midterm and final exams.
3. NGRD 657 – Intermediate Statistics – has four mandatory synchronous class meetings during each quarter and students are required to participate in them either face-to-face or by Zoom.  Students must attend take the midterm exam and the final exam on campus during scheduled face-to-face meetings. Additional optional group sessions held both face-to-face and by Zoom are available for students enrolled in NGRD 657.
4. NGRD 624 – Advanced Health Assessment – has mandatory synchronous lab meetings every two weeks during the quarter.  Students must attend each of these sessions. The faculty coordinate the course exams including the midterm and final exams so that they are scheduled when the student is on campus for a scheduled lab session.
5. The CNS and NP clinical courses meet at least four (4) times per quarter face-to-face on campus and all exams are administered on campus.  The NP Program skills courses meet weekly during the quarter that the skills course is scheduled.  Attendance at each of the assigned labs is mandatory for students enrolled in the skills course.

Students in the CNS and NP clinical courses will be assigned clinical rotations in the Inland Empire (IE) region of Southern California (Riverside and San Bernardino Counties).  The CNS and NP Program faculty members arrange all clinical rotations for students as required by the California Board of Registered Nursing Regulations (Sections 1484, h (11) of Division 14 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations).

The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates are prepared for certification by the National Certification Corporation (NCC).

View Expected Cost of Attendance Here

Full Time Neonatal NP Sample Schedule

Part Time Neonatal NP Sample Schedule

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.