3 answers
Braylie
Student
Battle Ground, Washington
1
Question
Updated
1066 views
What are the best college Universities for a degree in Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit nursing in the United States??
What are the best College Universities for a degree in Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit nursing in the United States?
Login to comment
3 answers
Jean Noel Sanchez
Developer/Data Analyst
200
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jean Noel’s Answer
Hi - To specialize in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nursing, the educational path depends on whether you are seeking an undergraduate degree (BSN) to become a NICU Registered Nurse or an advanced graduate degree (MSN or DNP) to become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP).
Universities do not offer a specialized bachelor's degree called "NICU Nursing"—all bedside NICU nurses earn a standard Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and gain NICU clinical experience during or after their studies. Specialty degrees exist at the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) levels as Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) programs.
Top Graduate Programs for Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
These universities feature top-ranked graduate nursing schools with specialized NNP tracks, high board-exam pass rates, and placement access to Level III and Level IV NICUs:
University Location Available Degrees Key Highlights
Duke University Durham, NC MSN, Post-Master's, DNP Hybrid distance format with high-fidelity simulation on campus; top national board pass rates.
Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN MSN, Post-Master's Hybrid/block-schedule format paired with clinical hours at Vanderbilt’s Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital.
University of Pennsylvania (Penn) Philadelphia, PA MSN, Post-Master's, DNP Directly affiliated with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), one of the top pediatric centers in the nation.
The Ohio State University Columbus, OH MSN, BSN-to-DNP Distance-enhanced format offering preceptor support and high employment placement within 3 months of graduation.
Rush University Chicago, IL DNP Nationally recognized practitioner-teacher model with strong clinical integration at Rush University Medical Center.
Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH MSN, DNP Strong focus on advanced neonatal physiology, pharmacology, and clinical training at Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital.
Top Undergraduate Programs (BSN) with Strong NICU Pathways
If you are just starting college and want to become a NICU Registered Nurse, choose a BSN program attached to a major academic medical center with a Level IV pediatric/neonatal hospital. These schools offer clinical rotations, electives, and externships in high-acuity NICUs:
• University of Pennsylvania (School of Nursing) – Direct clinical rotations at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
• University of Washington – Clinical partnerships with Seattle Children’s Hospital and UW Medical Center.
• Emory University (Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing) – Clinical opportunities at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA).
• Johns Hopkins University – Access to the Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children's Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
• University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) – Home to a Level IV NICU and one of the largest regional neonatology centers in the Southeast.
Recommended Educational Path
1. Earn a BSN: Complete an accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a licensed Registered Nurse.
2. Gain Clinical NICU Experience: Work for 1 to 2 years in a Level III or Level IV NICU. Most NNP programs require at least 24 months of recent, full-time high-acuity NICU experience prior to admission.
3. Enroll in an NNP Program: Earn an MSN or DNP in the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner track.
4. Obtain Board Certification: Pass the National Certification Corporation (NCC) exam to earn the NNP-BC credential.
Universities do not offer a specialized bachelor's degree called "NICU Nursing"—all bedside NICU nurses earn a standard Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and gain NICU clinical experience during or after their studies. Specialty degrees exist at the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) levels as Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) programs.
Top Graduate Programs for Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
These universities feature top-ranked graduate nursing schools with specialized NNP tracks, high board-exam pass rates, and placement access to Level III and Level IV NICUs:
University Location Available Degrees Key Highlights
Duke University Durham, NC MSN, Post-Master's, DNP Hybrid distance format with high-fidelity simulation on campus; top national board pass rates.
Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN MSN, Post-Master's Hybrid/block-schedule format paired with clinical hours at Vanderbilt’s Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital.
University of Pennsylvania (Penn) Philadelphia, PA MSN, Post-Master's, DNP Directly affiliated with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), one of the top pediatric centers in the nation.
The Ohio State University Columbus, OH MSN, BSN-to-DNP Distance-enhanced format offering preceptor support and high employment placement within 3 months of graduation.
Rush University Chicago, IL DNP Nationally recognized practitioner-teacher model with strong clinical integration at Rush University Medical Center.
Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH MSN, DNP Strong focus on advanced neonatal physiology, pharmacology, and clinical training at Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital.
Top Undergraduate Programs (BSN) with Strong NICU Pathways
If you are just starting college and want to become a NICU Registered Nurse, choose a BSN program attached to a major academic medical center with a Level IV pediatric/neonatal hospital. These schools offer clinical rotations, electives, and externships in high-acuity NICUs:
• University of Pennsylvania (School of Nursing) – Direct clinical rotations at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
• University of Washington – Clinical partnerships with Seattle Children’s Hospital and UW Medical Center.
• Emory University (Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing) – Clinical opportunities at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA).
• Johns Hopkins University – Access to the Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children's Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
• University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) – Home to a Level IV NICU and one of the largest regional neonatology centers in the Southeast.
Recommended Educational Path
1. Earn a BSN: Complete an accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a licensed Registered Nurse.
2. Gain Clinical NICU Experience: Work for 1 to 2 years in a Level III or Level IV NICU. Most NNP programs require at least 24 months of recent, full-time high-acuity NICU experience prior to admission.
3. Enroll in an NNP Program: Earn an MSN or DNP in the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner track.
4. Obtain Board Certification: Pass the National Certification Corporation (NCC) exam to earn the NNP-BC credential.
Thanks for the help.
Braylie
Colleen Sanders, MSN, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
4
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Colleen’s Answer
To build on Jean's response, it's essential to choose a BSN program that is approved by the state board of nursing and accredited. Look for programs accredited by CCNE, ACEN, or CNEA.
Another way to judge a program's quality is by checking the first-time pass rate of its graduates on the NCLEX-RN exam. This test is necessary for becoming a licensed RN. You need to attend a board-approved and accredited program to qualify for this exam. If a nursing program doesn't show its NCLEX-RN pass rate on its website, you can find it on the state board of nursing's website where the school is located. A pass rate above 90% is excellent!
CCNE accredited program directory is here: https://www.aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation/find-accredited-programs
ACEN accredited program directory is here: https://www.acenursing.org/search-programs
CNEA accredited program directory is here: https://cnea.nln.org/accredited-programs
Here is national data on pass rates for the NCLEX-RN so that you can compare to the programs you are looking at: https://www.ncsbn.org/exams/exam-statistics-and-publications/nclex-pass-rates.page
Another way to judge a program's quality is by checking the first-time pass rate of its graduates on the NCLEX-RN exam. This test is necessary for becoming a licensed RN. You need to attend a board-approved and accredited program to qualify for this exam. If a nursing program doesn't show its NCLEX-RN pass rate on its website, you can find it on the state board of nursing's website where the school is located. A pass rate above 90% is excellent!
Colleen recommends the following next steps:
Leila Abdel, M.Ed
Associate Director of Placement Operations
5
Answers
Redford Charter Township, Michigan
Updated
Leila’s Answer
I wanted to provide a bit of a different perspective on your question. NICU nursing is very specialized, but it will take a bit to get there. While you are studying for nursing, I would really focus on becoming the best well-rounded nurse you can. While in nursing school, you will get exposure to a lot of different units and specialties, and you may find that you like something more (or not) than being in the NICU.
Being in person at a hospital (clinical rotations), will help you get real world experience and see first hand what your role will look like as an RN and help you apply what you are learning in class to your patients. I would do your best in every subject, and make sure you especially focus on your pediatric courses and clinical experience.
Allow yourself grace to change or grow in your goals, and don't be discouraged if you don't get a NICU job right out of college. You may need experience with general pediatrics or on another unit before moving into the NICU, as it is highly specialized. Wishing you the best!
Being in person at a hospital (clinical rotations), will help you get real world experience and see first hand what your role will look like as an RN and help you apply what you are learning in class to your patients. I would do your best in every subject, and make sure you especially focus on your pediatric courses and clinical experience.
Allow yourself grace to change or grow in your goals, and don't be discouraged if you don't get a NICU job right out of college. You may need experience with general pediatrics or on another unit before moving into the NICU, as it is highly specialized. Wishing you the best!