Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs in Maryland (Online & Campus) – 2025
Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
While graduates of neonatal nurse practitioner programs in Maryland work with all types of babies, including healthy newborns, their unique skill sets are particularly honed to caring for critically ill neonates born prematurely or with conditions like low birth weight, cardiac defects, or other congenital abnormalities that are potentially life-threatening. The demand for the services that NNPs provide is growing steadily in the Old Line State and is expected to be 42 percent higher in another decade than it is today. As a neonatal nurse practitioner, your yearly compensation will average $137,770. Want to learn more about this career track? The list below of the best neonatal nurse practitioner programs in Maryland is a good starting point.
FOLLOWING ARE THE NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN MARYLAND (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the campus-based and online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner programs in Maryland.)
1. University of Maryland - Baltimore
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, and Postdoctoral Certificate
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The post-baccalaureate DNP Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Maryland will prepare you for advanced practice roles in neonatal ICUs, step-down units, developmental clinics, newborn nurseries, and primary care settings. The program offers three-, four-, and five-year plans of study, allowing you to find a schedule that does not interfere with your personal life and career.
This neonatal nurse practitioner program in Maryland features a hybrid learning format that combines synchronous and asynchronous course delivery. The 80-credit curriculum includes classes such as Integration of Multiple Health Problems & Complex Clinical Syndromes, Diagnosis & Management of Common Health Conditions: Episodic & Chronic, and Advanced Pediatric Pathophysiology, Developmental Assessment, and & Health Promotion.
With over 1,000 clinical practicum hours embedded in the curriculum, you will have ample opportunities to learn, practice, and master essential skills relevant to the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner role. You will collaborate with faculty and clinical placement advisors to identify clinical placements and preceptors experienced in neonatal care.
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the BSN-to-DNP program at the University of Maryland, you must hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an ACEN-, CCNE-, or NLN CNEA-accredited college or university and have an active, unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Nurse. You must have two years of NICU experience as a Registered Nurse before you can begin any clinical course.
To begin the admission process, you should visit the Admissions Dashboard on the college website and fill out an application. You are required to submit a personal essay, a typed curriculum vitae or resume, a copy of your RN license, two letters of recommendation, and official transcripts from every post-secondary school you attended. An undergraduate cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 is required.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you previously earned a master’s degree in nursing and you now wish to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and specialize in neonatal care, the MSN-to-DNP program at the University of Maryland is an excellent choice. The program admits students in the fall of each year and can be completed in as few as two years.
The 37-credit curriculum offers a blended learning format that combines face-to-face instruction with online classes. Some classes are synchronous, and others are asynchronous via web conferencing. Synchronous web conferencing is typically required up to five times per semester. You may be eligible to transfer up to 500 practicum hours from your master’s nursing program. All students must complete a minimum of 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours. Therefore, if you bring fewer than 500 hours from your master’s program, additional clinical credits may be required to meet the DNP competencies for national certification.
MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Registered Nurses with a Master of Science in Nursing degree and an active, unencumbered license to practice as an RN may apply to the MSN-to-DNP program. To be considered, you must complete an online application and submit two letters of recommendation, a personal essay, a CV or resume, a copy of your RN license, and official transcripts from all colleges and universities reflecting a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale. Finally, before beginning any clinical course, you must show proof of completion of at least two years of RN experience in a neonatal intensive care unit.
Postdoctoral Certificate Program Details: The postdoctoral certificate program is designed for doctorally prepared registered nurses who wish to specialize in neonatal nurse practitioner practice. The program features a 43-credit curriculum, which includes 885 clinical hours. However, a GAP analysis of your previous transcripts will be utilized to determine any transferable credits, which could lower the number of credits you need to complete the certificate program.
Postdoctoral Certificate Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission to the postdoctoral certificate program, you must have a graduate degree in nursing, including a doctoral (DNP, PhD, or EdD), and possess an active RN license. You are required to complete the Pre-Application Assessment Form, which is used to evaluate your academic work via a GAP analysis of your courses and clinical experiences. Additionally, you must complete an online application and provide a copy of your RN license, a current CV or resume, two letters of reference, an admission essay, and copies of all post-secondary transcripts. Once your eligibility for admission is verified and all supporting documentation reviewed, the final step in the application process is to interview with program faculty.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• As a student in the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Maryland, you will have access to the school’s state-of-the-art simulation center, which features neonatal simulation models. In the center, you will learn procedural expertise and collaborative management approaches to neonatal care using real-life scenarios in a safe, controlled environment.• Pursuing a doctoral degree or postdoctoral certificate is a major commitment with many things to consider. One of the most important components of these programs is the clinical experience. At the University of Maryland, program faculty are committed to helping you find clinical sites and preceptors who are appropriate and will help you meet course and program objectives.
• Your nursing education is a crucial investment. At the University of Maryland, you will find multiple options to help you afford earning your graduate degree or certificate. For example, the school offers Merit Scholarships, Donor-Funded Scholarships, the Conway Scholarship, and graduate assistantships.
• As a nurse educator, I believe learning interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for practitioner success and positive patient outcomes. One of the things I like about the NNP at the University of Maryland is that Neonatal and Pediatric NP students take several clinical courses together. This means you can benefit from the expertise of faculty from both specialties, as well as from your peers with experience in pediatric care.
• According to the school, most graduates pass the NNP certification exam on their first attempt, which is a great indication of the program’s quality and strength. With outstanding pass rates, it is no surprise that the program is ranked among the best neonatal nurse practitioner programs in Maryland!
HOW MUCH DO NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER GRADUATES MAKE IN MARYLAND?
WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN MARYLAND EXPECT?
| Hourly | $48.73 |
| Weekly | $1,949 |
| Monthly | $8,450 |
| Annual | $101,360 |
HOW MUCH CAN GRADUATES OF NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN MARYLAND EARN WITH EXPERIENCE?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Entry-Level | $48.73 | $1,949 | $8,450 | $101,360 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $55.14 | $2,206 | $9,560 | $114,690 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $65.09 | $2,603 | $11,280 | $135,380 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $72.49 | $2,899 | $12,560 | $150,770 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $86.62 | $3,465 | $15,010 | $180,170 |
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN MARYLAND?
| Hourly | $66.24 |
| Weekly | $2,649 |
| Monthly | $11,480 |
| Annual | $137,770 |
HOW MUCH DO NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONERS EARN IN THE VARIOUS METROS OF MARYLAND?
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | $66.59 | $2,663 | $11,540 | $138,500 |
| California-Lexington Park | $59.65 | $2,386 | $10,340 | $124,080 |
| Cumberland | $62.46 | $2,498 | $10,830 | $129,920 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | $57.81 | $2,313 | $10,020 | $120,250 |
| Salisbury | $67.69 | $2,708 | $11,730 | $140,800 |
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN MARYLAND VS. OTHER SALARIES
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN MARYLAND VS. NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN THE NATION
| Average Maryland Neonatal NP Annual Salary | Average National Neonatal NP Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $137,770 | $138,310 | -$540 | -0.39% |
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN MARYLAND VS. NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARIES IN OTHER STATES
| State | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| California | $173,890 | -$36,120 | -20.77% |
| Nevada | $160,030 | -$22,260 | -13.91% |
| Washington | $156,510 | -$18,740 | -11.97% |
| New Jersey | $156,110 | -$18,340 | -11.75% |
| Oregon | $156,030 | -$18,260 | -11.70% |
| Massachusetts | $155,020 | -$17,250 | -11.13% |
| New York | $153,750 | -$15,980 | -10.39% |
| Connecticut | $147,450 | -$9,680 | -6.56% |
| New Mexico | $147,220 | -$9,450 | -6.42% |
| Minnesota | $145,330 | -$7,560 | -5.20% |
| District of Columbia | $145,160 | -$7,390 | -5.09% |
| Rhode Island | $143,660 | -$5,890 | -4.10% |
| Hawaii | $142,740 | -$4,970 | -3.48% |
| Arizona | $142,690 | -$4,920 | -3.45% |
| Delaware | $141,130 | -$3,360 | -2.38% |
| Iowa | $140,820 | -$3,050 | -2.17% |
| New Hampshire | $140,730 | -$2,960 | -2.10% |
| Texas | $139,950 | -$2,180 | -1.56% |
| Wisconsin | $138,140 | -$370 | -0.27% |
| Maryland | $137,770 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Utah | $137,590 | +$180 | +0.13% |
| North Dakota | $137,520 | +$250 | +0.18% |
| Pennsylvania | $137,190 | +$580 | +0.42% |
| Illinois | $136,600 | +$1,170 | +0.86% |
| Alaska | $135,810 | +$1,960 | +1.44% |
| Vermont | $135,740 | +$2,030 | +1.50% |
| Montana | $134,170 | +$3,600 | +2.68% |
| Idaho | $134,070 | +$3,700 | +2.76% |
| Oklahoma | $133,830 | +$3,940 | +2.94% |
| Wyoming | $133,000 | +$4,770 | +3.59% |
| Indiana | $132,740 | +$5,030 | +3.79% |
| Maine | $132,340 | +$5,430 | +4.10% |
| Ohio | $132,260 | +$5,510 | +4.17% |
| Colorado | $131,310 | +$6,460 | +4.92% |
| Nebraska | $130,980 | +$6,790 | +5.18% |
| North Carolina | $130,880 | +$6,890 | +5.26% |
| Georgia | $130,410 | +$7,360 | +5.64% |
| South Dakota | $130,230 | +$7,540 | +5.79% |
| Virginia | $130,110 | +$7,660 | +5.89% |
| Michigan | $129,900 | +$7,870 | +6.06% |
| Florida | $128,860 | +$8,910 | +6.91% |
| Kansas | $128,390 | +$9,380 | +7.31% |
| Louisiana | $127,740 | +$10,030 | +7.85% |
| Mississippi | $126,470 | +$11,300 | +8.93% |
| South Carolina | $125,880 | +$11,890 | +9.45% |
| Missouri | $125,600 | +$12,170 | +9.69% |
| West Virginia | $122,120 | +$15,650 | +12.82% |
| Arkansas | $122,080 | +$15,690 | +12.85% |
| Kentucky | $118,810 | +$18,960 | +15.96% |
| Alabama | $118,430 | +$19,340 | +16.33% |
| Tennessee | $111,650 | +$26,120 | +23.39% |
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN MARYLAND VS. OTHER NURSE SALARIES IN MARYLAND
| Type of Nurse | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Nurse Anesthetist | $187,420 | -$49,650 | -26.49% |
| Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | $137,770 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Nurse Midwife | $128,400 | +$9,370 | +7.30% |
| Registered Nurse | $92,090 | +$45,680 | +49.60% |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Post-secondary | $88,610 | +$49,160 | +55.48% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $66,460 | +$71,310 | +107.30% |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,770 | +$97,000 | +237.92% |
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN MARYLAND VS. SALARIES OF OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OCCUPATIONS IN MARYLAND
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Podiatrist | $239,460 | -$101,690 | -42.47% |
| Dentist | $234,670 | -$96,900 | -41.29% |
| Optometrist | $166,770 | -$29,000 | -17.39% |
| Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | $137,770 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Pharmacist | $132,530 | +$5,240 | +3.95% |
| Physician Assistant | $117,280 | +$20,490 | +17.47% |
| Physical Therapist | $105,520 | +$32,250 | +30.56% |
| Occupational Therapist | $101,710 | +$36,060 | +35.45% |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,140 | +$36,630 | +36.22% |
| Radiation Therapist | $98,220 | +$39,550 | +40.27% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $95,310 | +$42,460 | +44.55% |
| Audiologist | $90,180 | +$47,590 | +52.77% |
| Chiropractor | $73,940 | +$63,830 | +86.33% |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs In Maryland?
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
2. How Many Accredited Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Schools Are There In Maryland?
| 1 |
3. On Average, How Much Does A Neonatal NP Make Per Hour In Maryland?
| $66.24 |
4. On Average, How Much Does A Neonatal NP Make Per Week In Maryland?
| $2,649 |
5. On Average, How Much Does A Neonatal NP Make Per Month In Maryland?
| $11,480 |
6. On Average, How Much Does A Neonatal NP Make Per Year In Maryland?
| $137,770 |
7. What Is The Job Outlook For Neonatal Nurse Practitioners In Maryland?
| 10-Year Job Outlook (2022-2032) |
| +42.18% |
Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.
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