Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Specialization (B.S.N. to D.N.P.)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Program Faculty and Contact Information

Program Information
The Doctor of Nursing Practice prepares advanced practice nurses to transform clinical practice as expert clinicians and leaders with a special focus on rural and under-served populations. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program (NNP) is offered in partnership with the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Nursing. The program prepares graduates to provide assessment diagnosis, and medical management of neonates and their families from admission through discharge in collaboration with other health care providers in specific clinical settings. Graduates with this specialization are eligible for the neonatal nurse practitioner examination via the National Certification Corporation.

Program Objectives
The graduate of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program will:

Analyze significant practice issues with the theoretical and scientific underpinnings of knowledge-based practice
Employ advanced clinical judgment to assess, design, deliver and evaluate evidence-based care of individuals in complex health and illness situations
Apply a broad system perspective to design, implement and evaluate culturally congruent policies and practices to improve care for a diverse population
Lead health care inter-professional and intraprofessional teams to transform care
Initiate ethically sound practice changes to address complex interwoven organization, population, fiscal and policy trends
Demonstrate proficiency in the use of information technology to improve health care within systems
Implement evidence-based clinical prevention and health promotion activities to improve the health of populations

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure
Accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice at South Dakota State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, 202-887-6791.

Licensure
Students must provide evidence of professional registration by submitting a copy of the most current RN license.

Certification
After completing the program of study, graduates may be eligible to complete certification through several professional organizations.
Nursing Certification - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Course Delivery
Nursing courses are delivered face-to-face and enhanced with web-based instruction. Online course delivery is also offered for specified courses. Courses are offered fall, spring and summer semesters. Selected nursing and elective courses are available in summer semesters.

The College of Nursing has agreements for distance education and hybrid courses with the University of Missouri-Kansas City for Neonatal Nurse Practitioner courses, and the University of Missouri-Columbia for Family Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist courses. Students in these specializations receive their degree from SDSU.

Facilities and Services
The College of Nursing provides world-class facilities and a variety of students services and programs for graduate student engagement.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Bachelor’s to Doctor of Nursing Practice

74 Credits

Core Requirements

NURS 615 - Advanced Nursing Practice – Introduction to Roles and Issues
Credits: 3
NURS 623 - Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan - Application to Advanced Practice Nursing Credits: 4
NURS 626 - Research Methods for Advanced Practice Nursing
Credits: 3
HSC 631 - Biostatistics I
Credits: 3
NURS 670 - Health Policy, Legislation, Economics and Ethics
Credits: 3
NURS 675 - Cultural Competence in Health Care
Credits: 3
NURS 750 - Transformational Leadership in Nursing
Credits: 3
NURS 760 - Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Across the Lifespan
Credits: 3
NURS 835 - Ethical Issues Influencing Practice and Research in Health
Credits: 3
NURS 850 - Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations for Evidence-Based Care
Credits: 3
NURS 855 - Translational Research in Health Care
Credits: 3
NURS 860 - Health Operations and Financial Management for Nurse Managers
Credits: 3
NURS 875 - DNP Practicum Credits: 5
NURS 880 - DNP Project Credits: 8

University of Missouri- Kansas City courses:

N5547N - Advanced Assessment of the Neonate Credits: 3
N5548N - Physiology/Phathphysiology of the Neonates Credit: 2
N5549N - Pharmacology for the Neonate Credits: 3
N5564N - Neonatal Nursing I Credits: 3
N5566N - Neonatal Nursing II Credits: 3
N5572-NI - Preceptorship I Credits: 5
N5572-NII - Preceptorship II Credits: 5

Total Credits: 74 (SDSU = 50; University of Missouri = 24)

NOTE:

A minimum of 600 preceptorship hours are required by the National Certification Corporation to be eligible for the NNP certification. Preceptorship hours are included in only the following courses (N5572-NI and N5572-NII).

Clinical Courses offered through the University of Missouri – Kansas City.

University of Missouri coursework is subject to change – contact the SDSU Graduate Nursing Department for updated information.

There are online campus requirements – refer to the Graduate Nursing webpage for additional information.

Additional Admission Requirements for Bachelor’s to Doctor of Nursing Practice

GRE: Not required
TOEFL: Score of 600 paper-based, 220 computer-based, 100 Internet-based, OR
IETS: 7.0 total band

In addition to meeting the Graduate School admission requirements, applicants for graduate study for the Bachelors to Doctor of Nursing Practice must have:

Current RN licensure.
Bachelors degree in nursing from an NLNAC or CCNE Accredited program with a minimum cumulative 3.3 GPA.
Additional specific RN experience working with pediatric and/or neonatal populations may be required based on the University of Missouri requirements.
1500 hours of documented nursing practice experience prior to the first clinical lab.
Completed application to both SDSU Graduate School and the SDSU College of Nursing - Graduate Nursing Program
FBI background check
Drug screening
Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers.
Specialty certification, e.g. NALS (Neonatal Advanced Life Support) or as required by the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Submit written response to questions regarding educational goals, scholarly practice interest and desired practice career.
Completed an approved statistical methods course with a grade of ‘C’ or higher within the past 5 years.
Interview with graduate faculty and/or graduate admissions committee member(s).

Total enrollment in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program may vary depending upon available clinical facilities and qualified faculty. Applicants are selected competitively from those qualified for the program. Applicants should check with the Graduate Nursing office for application deadlines.

General Requirements

Graduate students must consult with their advisor prior to registration for graduate work.

Registration is completed by the Graduate Nursing Department.