Jefferson College of Health Professions Announces
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program

Philadelphia, August 2003 - Jefferson College of Health Professions of Thomas Jefferson University has added the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner specialty to its graduate program offerings. Beginning with the fall 2003 semester, students can enroll in the program on a full- or part-time basis with courses available in class or on-line. The Pennsylvania Board of Nursing approved program offers a master's degree for registered nurses who want to work in the expanded role of neonatal nurse practitioner.

The 36 credits needed for the degree can be completed in 15 months on a full-time basis. Part-time scheduling can vary depending on individual needs. The program is a collaborative endeavor between JCHP's Department of Nursing and Jefferson Medical College/Thomas Jefferson University Hospital's Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology.

According to JCHP graduate nursing program director, Mary Bowen, CRNP, JD, DNS, "Neonatal nurse practitioners are in short supply within the profession. Many positions are available regionally and throughout the Jefferson Health System. Jefferson graduates are extremely well received in the workforce with most students receiving multiple job offers. Our students are also able to go directly into their chosen field because of the excellent clinical opportunities they are afforded here which includes state-of-the-art hospital care with the most advanced surgical and high tech procedures."

Neonatal Nurse Practitioners provide direct care to infants and their families in neonatal intensive care units as well as follow-up care. The NNP manages a caseload of neonatal patients in consultation and collaboration with physicians and other members of the healthcare team. Using knowledge of pathophysiology, pharmacolgy and physiology the NNP exercises independent judgement in the assessment, diagnosis, plan of care of infants and in the performance of certain delegated procedures. As an advanced practice neonatal nurse the NNP is also involved in education, consultation, and research.

For over 100 years Jefferson has been educating men and women in the art and science of nursing. Nursing education has been an integral part of Jefferson since its inception in 1891 as The Jefferson Medical College Hospital School of Nursing. The Department of Nursing was established in 1970 in the College of Health Professions.

Jefferson offers a flexible range of full- and part-time program options based on past education, professional experience, work schedule and special interest. These include the undergraduate BSN and graduate MSN programs. Programs feature individualized plans of study and advisement, credit for prior education and practice experience and students in accelerated programs earn graduate credits while in the undergraduate phase at undergraduate tuition rates. Full scholarships in return for a practice commitment at JHS hospitals were available to JCHP fast track and senior prelicensure students during the 2003-04 year. It is anticipated that similar opportunities will be available for 2004-05 applicants.

For more information about the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program or any of the other graduate programs at JCHP, contact Mary Bowen, CRNP, JD, DNS at mary.bowen@jefferson.edu or 215-503-6057.

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