Advance your career as a neonatal nurse practitioner with Duke University’s NNP program.
The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) MSN program at Duke University School of Nursing provides you with advanced knowledge, skills, and clinical experiences to care for low- and high-risk neonates, infants and toddlers to age 2, and their families. You’ll learn to provide care in diverse settings, such as neonatal intensive care units, special care nurseries, newborn nurseries, delivery rooms, and developmental clinics.
As an NNP MSN student at Duke University, you’ll be part of the #3 nursing master’s program in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report. Our neonatal program prepares graduates to enter the workforce as practicing NNPs while equipping them as scholars, mentors, educators, and healthcare professionals.
While our neonatal MSN program is primarily distance-based (online with five required campus sessions), you’ll join a small cohort that will become your own community as you support each other throughout your program. Along the way, you’ll learn from expert faculty members who are easily accessible and focus on your success in the classroom and beyond.
Before a student begins NNP clinical courses, they must have the equivalent of 2 years of nursing experience (within the past 5 years) in the care of critically ill neonates or infants in a level III or IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Students may enroll in preclinical courses while obtaining the necessary practice experience. Students are expected to continue working in the NICU during the program.
#3
Best Nursing Schools Master's
Preparing students to provide care for low and high-risk neonates, infants, toddlers up to two years of age, and their families in diverse settings such as the neonatal intensive care unit, special care nursery, newborn nursery, delivery room, and developmental clinic.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate
For students who already have a master’s from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited nursing school or in another approved discipline, we also offer a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate. This program allows you to build on your expertise with specialized skills and knowledge, advancing your career potential.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner MSN Program Highlights
As you complete your neonatal nurse practitioner education, you’ll learn and practice at one of the most advanced health systems in the world. Our neonatal MSN program offers you a number of advantages, including:
Distance-based learning:
Our NNP program is distance-based, with interactive online learning, clinical practice experiences near where you live and on-campus intensives here at Duke, allowing you to continue to work while completing your degree.
Global clinical network:
Duke’s extensive footprint allows you to complete your clinicals near home through our network of more than 2,000 worldwide facilities and practices. You’ll partner with our clinical placement team to facilitate this process.
Full-spectrum preparation:
Duke’s neonatal nurse practitioner education is offered in diverse environments and scenarios. Our advanced curriculum includes courses covering topics such as embryology, pathophysiology, development, pharmacology and complex care of neonates, infants and toddlers up to 2 years of age. Students are mentored to create poster abstracts and submit manuscripts for publication.
Prioritizing your success:
Duke provides extensive instructional support resources, including high-fidelity simulation experiences. Our faculty are experts in distance-based education and advancing the role of nurse practitioners.
What Can You Do With a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner MSN?
With your neonatal nurse practitioner education and your NNP MSN from Duke, you will be well prepared to pursue or further your professional health care career in settings such as:
- Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs)
- Special care nurseries
- Newborn nurseries
- Delivery rooms
- Developmental clinics
Nurse practitioners are in extremely high demand. By earning your NNP MSN at Duke, you will be ready to help meet this exceptional need. Our recent graduates have enjoyed the following outcomes:
- 100% of our NNP MSN graduates have passed the NCC board in the past two years
- 100% of our recent NNP MSN graduates are employed, with most obtaining jobs before they even graduate
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects job opportunities for advanced practice registered nurses to grow up to 38% by 2032, making it one of the fastest-growing career fields in the country. While exact figures vary depending on location, experience, practice specialty and other factors, the BLS reports a median annual salary of $129,480 for APRNs, with the highest 10% earning more than $211,820.
Program Director
Desi Newberry
DNP, NNP-BC
Dr. Desi Newberry is a Duke University School of Nursing associate professor and director of the NNP major. Dr. Newberry is a board-certified NNP with over 20 years of experience. Dr. Newberry has authored and co-authored three book chapters and over 40 articles in peer-reviewed national neonatal nursing journals. She also serves as a section editor for the neonatal nursing journal Advances in Neonatal Care. Dr. Newberry received the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) 2023 Leadership Award.
Learn more about Desi Newberry: Scholars@Duke
Meet Our MSN Faculty
Our internationally renowned AGACNP faculty foster a supportive learning environment that prioritizes your academic and professional success. They bring their real-world experience as nurse practitioners into the classroom, equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in your field.
The Duke Difference
Earn your Duke nursing degree or certificate while you continue to work.
Discover our unwavering focus on creating innovative, nurse-led models of care.
Learn from experts in distance-based and hybrid education for over 20 years.
Learn & practice at one of the most advanced health systems in the world.
Our faculty are leaders in their field, with real world clinical experience.
We have exceptional students, learning alongside talented & dedicated classmates.
MSN Admissions
The MSN program employs a holistic admissions strategy. We consider each candidate’s unique life experiences alongside their academic performance, grades and test scores. This ensures that our nurse practitioner students represent the diversity of patients you will care for in your career.
If you need additional assistance, contact our admissions team by email or phone: 877-415-3853.
We offer DROP-iN Chat for virtual Q+A Sessions along with PROGRAM INFORMATION SESSIONS for application help.
Student Testimonials
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I was impressed by the work that is being done by many of the professors at our nursing school and how it was aimed at advancing social justice and promoting health equity.
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Duke University School of Nursing was my first option when I decided to pursue my PhD in Nursing, mostly because of the prestige of the school. I was initially skeptical about applying because I felt I wasn’t good enough to gain admission into such a prestigious school, but my initial conversations with some of the professors in the school changed my mind. The availability of the funding also provided an added incentive especially for an international student.
Financial Aid and Scholarships for MSN Students
As part of our mission to meet the needs of nurse practitioners nationwide, Duke School of Nursing offers a variety of financial aid options for MSN students. These include merit- and need-based scholarships up to full tuition for select MSN students. There are also federal student loan options to fully fund your MSN degree.
Learn More About Financial Aid & Scholarships