Doctor of Nursing Practice
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
About the Program
The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) doctoral degree at St. Catherine University prepares registered nurses to provide acute, chronic, critical and primary care to neonates and children through the age of two. Our graduates offer high-quality, compassionate, patient-centered care with dedication and commitment to social justice and health equity.
St. Kate’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree combines a commitment to nursing excellence with a passion for innovation and transformational leadership. In our program you will be prepared to:
• Complete physical examinations and developmental evaluations; diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions; and provide nutritional guidance
• Facilitate the provision of family-centered care, and encourage families to be active members of the healthcare decision-making process for their children.
• Work with physicians and other healthcare professionals across settings such as Level IIV nurseries, outpatient high-risk-infant follow-up, and developmental clinics.
Our Curriculum
The 68-credit NNP program can be completed in three years of full-time study; an extended 4-year option is also available. Courses are offered in a hybrid learning format, blending the convenience of online learning with the benefits of in-person meetings on our St. Paul campus, and enhancing the connections between faculty and students.
You’ll benefit from our small class sizes and personal attention from our faculty, who will mentor and support you throughout the program. You’ll build lasting relationships with faculty and classmates as you share your nursing experiences together. And the in-person components of the program will maximize your learning with simulations, labs, interprofessional connections and professional development.
810 hours of hands-on, direct patient care are required for the DNP program. St. Kate’s faculty will help you make connections with leading healthcare providers for access to high-quality clinical experiences.
Tuition and Fees
The 2024–25 tuition rate for the NNP program is $1,200 per credit. Additional costs include fees for student services and technology ($330 per term) and books (prices vary by course).
How to Apply
Application deadline: January 15 for Fall enrollment. Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis
To be eligible for admission, applicants must have:
• A bachelor’s or graduate degree from an institution accredited by a nationally recognized, regional accrediting association.
• The baccalaureate nursing program (i.e., initial major or upper division, postbaccalaureate second major) or comparable master's-level program in which the nursing degree is awarded must be accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• GPA of 3.0 or higher, and a grade of not less than B- in every nursing course.
• A current unencumbered RN license
• Preferred (but not required): Two years of recent clinical practice as a registered nurse, with at least one year of experience in the area of specialization.
The NNP application requires the following materials:
• Admission essay
• Current résumé
• Video statement
• One recommendation
• Transcripts from all degree-granting institutions
• Official scores from TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo (if native language is not English)
• Credential evaluation from World Education Services (if college/university coursework was completed outside the U.S.)
Visit our website for detailed application information
St. Catherine University Nursing Programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
This document provides information about graduate studies at St. Catherine University. The information may change at any time. Contact the Office of Graduate Admission to confirm program and application details.
DNP: Nurse Practitioner Sample Plan of Study
Start in the Fall semester and complete the 68-credit Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program in three years. An extended 4-year plan is also available.
Sample Plan of Study: Fall start, 3-Year track for Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
FALL SPRING SUMMER
Year 1 Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice
Introduction to Biostatistics
Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan
Informatics for Advanced Nursing Practice
Interprofessional Perspectives and Competencies
Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
Embryology & Pathophysiology of the Neonate
Neonatal Pharmacotherapeutics
Sample Plan of Study: Neonatal NP Track (continued)
Year 2
Year 3
Leadership for Advanced Nursing Practice
Advanced Neonatal Assessment, Diagnostics and Procedures
Neonatal Management I: Common Neonatal Conditions
Advanced Outcomes Measurement and Evaluation
Advanced Evidence-Based Practice
Neonatal Management II: The High-Risk Neonate
Neonatal Clinical I
DNP Integration I
Neonatal Management III: Complex Conditions of the Neonate
Healthcare Economics and Finance
Neonatal Clinical II
Healthcare: Power, Policy and Politics