Master of Science in Nursing (Neonatal Nurse Practitioner)
About This Program
Our master's specialty degree prepares students for a career as a neonatal advanced practice registered nurse. Students in this program are prepared to sit for the NCC certification exam as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. Both full-time and part-time study options are available as well as online and classroom-based programs.
competencies
- Upon completion, students will be able to assess, diagnose, and manage the high-risk neonate with acute and critical, single, and multi-system health problems using evidence-based knowledge.
- Upon completion, students will be able to use pharmacologic and technologic therapies in the management of the high-risk neonate's complex acute and chronic illnesses.
- Upon completion, students will be able to collaborate with other health professionals to promote health outcomes for acutely and critically ill neonates and their families.
- Upon completion, students will be able to develop plans for health promotion and disease prevention in the care of the high-risk neonate within their family system.
Admissions Criteria
Applicants for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree must meet the general requirements for graduate admissions as well as the requirements detailed below.
All graduate nursing students must have an unencumbered Registered Nursing License as designated by the Board of Nursing (BON) for clinical courses. It is imperative that any student whose license becomes encumbered by the BON must immediately notify their department chair. The complete policy regarding encumbered RN license is available on the Department of Graduate Nursing website under Clinical Requirements.
Unconditional Admission
For unconditional admission to the MSN, applicants must have:
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher on the last 60 hours of courses in the bachelor's degree program (as calculated by UTA Admissions).
- Two years of clinical experience as a Registered Nurse (RN) in a Level III or IV NICU. International students must have two years of clinical experience in a healthcare system in the United States (or equivalent).
- BSN from ACEN or CCNE Accredited Program (evaluated by the Associate Dean or designee).
Probationary Admission
When admitted on probation, a student must maintain a 3.0 GPA in the first two semesters of enrollment in the graduate program. Probationary students are admitted for part-time study only.
If a person does not meet probationary admission requirements, he or she may request review by a Committee of the Graduate Nursing Faculty. The Committee may request completion of coursework and/or additional information to support the individual's petition for admission.
UTA offers probationary admission to the MSN for applicants who have:
- A GPA between 2.8 and 2.99 on the last 60 hours of courses in the bachelor's degree program (as calculated by UTA Admissions).
- GRE scores of at least 430 or 149 Verbal; 430 or 141 Quantitative; 3.5 Analytical Writing; and 430 Analytical.
Provisional Admission
An applicant unable to supply all required documentation prior to the admission deadline but who otherwise appears to meet admission requirements may be granted provisional admission.
Deferred Status
Deferred decision is granted when a file is incomplete or when a denial decision is not appropriate.
Denial of Admission
An applicant will be denied admission if they have less than satisfactory performance on a majority of admission criteria listed in the MSN Admission Table.
Admission Policy for Individuals Ineligible to Continue Graduate Study
Applicants who are on academic probation or who are ineligible to continue graduate study at another university are ineligible for admission. However, applicants may submit a petition to be reviewed by a Committee of the Graduate Nursing Faculty.
The committee will make a decision regarding admission based on the following:
- GPA on the last 60 hours of BSN, graduate GPA, GRE scores (if applicable), and English language score (if applicable);
- Official transcripts from BSN and all universities attended following completion of BSN;
- A narrative statement from the potential student providing a rationale for their ineligibility in the previous graduate program;
- A letter of reference from a graduate faculty in the previous program; and
- A plan for successful study at UT Arlington.
The admission committee reserves the right to ask for additional materials as needed. The committee will make its recommendation regarding admission to the Associate Dean or their designee of the Graduate Nursing Programs.
Curriculum
A degree plan is developed for the student upon admission to the MSN Program. Students are required to have any changes in degree plan approved by a Graduate Academic Advisor prior to registration.
| MSN Core Courses | ||
| NURS 5327 | EXPLORATION OF SCIENCE AND THEORIES FOR NURSING | 3 |
| NURS 5366 | PRINCIPLES OF RESEARCH IN NURSING | 3 |
| NURS 5367 | EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE | 3 |
| Specialization in NP Neonatal Care | ||
| NURS 5204 | NEONATAL NURSING I | 2 |
| NURS 5220 | ADVANCED HEALTH ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSTIC REASONING | 2 |
| NURS 5110 | NEONATAL ASSESSMENT LAB | 1 |
| NURS 5315 | ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY | 3 |
| NURS 5334 | ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSE PRACTITIONERS | 3 |
| NURS 5450 | NEONATAL NP CLINICAL PRACTICE | 4 |
| NURS 5537 | NEONATAL NURSING II | 5 |
| NURS 5447 | NEONATAL NURSING III | 4 |
| NURS 5610 | NEONATAL NP ADVANCED PRACTICUM | 6 |
| Functional Role | ||
| NURS 5350 | ROLE OF THE NURSE IN ADVANCED PRACTICE | 3 |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
Advising Resources
Graduate nursing students will be assigned a degree plan once admitted to the program. They are encouraged to make phone, in-person, or virtual appointments as needed to discuss their academic progression.
Location:
554 Pickard Hall
Email:
msnadvising@uta.edu
Phone:
817-272-2776