Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program in Arkansas - AR

By K'Lee Banks, allied health world contributing writer
Published: March, 10 2011

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Since the average nursing professional typically holds an undergraduate degree, he or she may want to consider advancing into a neonatal nurse practitioner program in Arkansas. The state of Arkansas has 35 accredited nursing programs suitable for bachelor’s degrees in neonatal nursing; however, only five of those programs offer neonatal nurse practitioner students the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program.

Nurses who want to become neonatal nurse practitioners should consider a neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP) program in Arkansas. Since programs are limited in Arkansas, nursing students may consider online nursing programs, but remember that clinical hours are still mandatory to complete the practical application and hands-on experience.

If registered nurses currently only have associate’s degrees, but would like to become neonatal nurses, they need to earn bachelor’s degrees in nursing. The state of Arkansas, like many other states, holds a statewide articulation agreement regarding transferring credits between community colleges and universities or four-year colleges. This facilitates entrance into bachelor’s degree nursing programs.

A master’s degree in nursing (MSN) is the next step for nurses who want to become neonatal nurse practitioners. Supplementary higher education and clinical experience is crucial for advanced practice nurses who often provide primary care or may practice independently in caring for newborns.

Brief Overview of Nursing Programs

Even though variations exist between nursing schools, programs, and specializations, some typical or common courses generally comprise nursing programs, in addition to general studies:

Fundamentals of nursing.
Maternal and child nursing.
Anatomy and physiology.
First aid.
Health and wellness.
Diagnostics and advanced assessment.
Health assessment.
Pharmacology.

All nursing students, on campus and online, must also complete a mandatory number of clinical hours in an approved hospital or nursing facility to acquire their hands-on experience.