Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs in Missouri (Online & Campus) – 2026
Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
The demand for specialized neonatal care is on the rise in the Show Me State, and graduates of neonatal nurse practitioner programs in Missouri are the ones who provide it! In another ten years, there will be 42 percent more jobs available for Missouri-based neonatal nurse practitioners than there are today. As an NNP, you'll be an essential component of the collaborative team that manages the care of premature infants, critically ill infants, and infants with cardiac and surgical defects. You'll bring home $125,600 a year and have the satisfaction of knowing you've made a tangible difference in your tiny patients’ lives. Find out more by reading this guide to the best neonatal nurse practitioner programs in Missouri.
FOLLOWING ARE THE NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN MISSOURI (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2026
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the campus-based and online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner programs in Missouri.)
1. University of Missouri Kansas City - Kansas City
Programs Offered: MSN, MSN-to-DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate
MSN Program Details: Caring for a critically ill newborn and their family requires not only commitment but specialized knowledge and skills. If you are a Registered Nurse interested in a career along these lines, becoming a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner is a path to consider. Finding a school that offers a quality program designed to prepare you is crucial. For instance, the University of Missouri-Kansas City offers one of the best neonatal nurse practitioner programs in Missouri.
The school offers three pathways to specialize in neonatal NP care, including the Master of Science in Nursing program. The MSN program offers a flexible hybrid format, making it an excellent choice for working professionals. Courses are delivered online with some synchronous class/chat times required. Once clinical courses begin, you will be required to attend campus for two- to three-day intensives once per semester. Intensives include presentations, lectures from professionals in the neonatal field, skills labs, and exams.
The program is offered part-time or full-time, allowing you to choose a schedule that is best for you. This pathway consists of a 46-credit curriculum. Additionally, you will complete a minimum of 783.75 clinical hours. Clinicals are arranged by program faculty and advisors, ensuring you have adequate experiences with qualified preceptors.
MSN Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the MSN program, you need a minimum Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally-accredited college or university, a program accredited by the ACEN or CCNE, and a current, unencumbered RN license in the state where you will complete clinical requirements. Two years of recent, full-time RN experience in the care of critically ill newborns or infants in inpatient intensive care settings is required before you can enroll in any clinical course.
Candidates for this program must submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended. A grade point average of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 hours from your BSN program is required. Additionally, you must have completed a graduate-level statistics course and an undergraduate health assessment course, each with a minimum grade of “B”. You are required to submit a current resume reflecting all RN experience, a professional evaluation form, and a Personal Statement of your professional goals. An admission interview is also required.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: Another option UMKC offers for a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program in Missouri is the MSN-to-DNP program. This pathway is available to Registered Nurses with or without APRN certification. Didactic coursework is delivered in an online format. Students are required to attend campus once per semester for intensive sessions and exams.
In this program, students complete a minimum of 31 credits. Although 600 project hours are included in the DNP curriculum, all DNP students must complete at least 1,000 post-baccalaureate clinical hours. Therefore, after verification of the clinical hours completed in your MSN program, you may need additional hours added to your plan of study.
MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: The post-master’s DNP program is open to candidates who have previously earned a Master of Science in Nursing from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited nursing program and who hold a current, unrestricted RN license. In addition to completing an online application, you are required to submit a Personal Goals Statement, a current resume,
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: If you have a master’s degree in nursing and want to earn the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner certification without pursuing a doctorate, the Post-Master’s Certificate program at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, is a great option. The program admits students in the summer and fall of each year. It takes an average of five semesters to complete the PMC program.
Online coursework is complemented by campus-based intensives held once per semester during clinical courses and in-person clinicals. The admissions team conducts a GAP analysis of previous education and coursework for all students upon admission to determine an individualized plan of study. In addition to advanced courses in neonatal assessment and pharmacology for the neonate, you will complete approximately 800 clinical hours.
Post-Master’s Certificate Admission Requirements: Consideration for admission to the Post-Master’s Certificate program is extended to candidates who have earned an MSN degree from an accredited nursing program, hold a current RN license, and have at least two years of experience as a Registered Nurse working with critically ill neonates and infants.
You are required to submit a Statement of Personal Goals and a resume reflecting all RN work experience, and participate in an admissions interview with program faculty. Official transcripts verifying a minimum 3.2 GPA for all college coursework are required and must also show completion of the Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan course.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• In my experience as a nurse educator, I know the most crucial component of any nursing program is the clinical practicum experience. No matter how many books you read, papers you write, or presentations you give, nothing compares to having hands-on experience with live patients who depend on your knowledge, skills, and compassion to help them heal. When I talk to potential students, I always recommend they carefully consider nursing programs, paying special attention to the clinical component. For instance, at UMKC, clinical arrangements for the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner programs are managed by the program’s faculty and advisors. Through the school’s connections with facilities and preceptors, you will have experiences in Level III and Level IV neonatal ICUs designed to prepare you for practice upon completion of the program.• Another factor to consider when choosing a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program in Missouri (or any state) is the program’s success rate. Checking with reputable sources that evaluate program quality is one way to ensure you find the right one. For example, the NNP programs at the University of Missouri-Kansas City are consistently ranked among the best in Missouri by U.S. News & World Report. These rankings reflect the program's quality and effectiveness in preparing nurses for advanced practice roles as Neonatal Nurse Practitioners.
• When my son was born, he was immediately transferred to a Neonatal ICU ward due to respiratory distress. While I was thrilled about becoming a mother, the fear of the unknown weighed heavily on me. One thing that made our NICU journey easier was the professionalism, compassion, and care that my son and our family received. The University of Missouri KC understands the importance of nursing reaching beyond textbooks and brief clinical encounters, and it reflects its commitment to high-quality patient care by offering NNP programs that focus on leadership, honesty, ethics, and integrity. When you pursue one of these Neonatal Nurse Practitioner programs in Missouri, you will graduate with a deep understanding and respect for patients and their families that goes beyond tests, charts, and care episodes, making you highly qualified for the NNP role.
• One appealing aspect of the NNP programs at UMKC is that you will participate in campus-based intensives throughout the clinical portion of the program. The school offers students access to state-of-the-art simulation facilities and experienced, dedicated faculty to ensure the highest-quality education and training possible.
HOW MUCH DO NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER GRADUATES MAKE IN MISSOURI?
WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN MISSOURI EXPECT?
| Hourly | $44.42 |
| Weekly | $1,777 |
| Monthly | $7,700 |
| Annual | $92,400 |
HOW MUCH CAN GRADUATES OF NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN MISSOURI EARN WITH EXPERIENCE?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Entry-Level | $44.42 | $1,777 | $7,700 | $92,400 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $50.26 | $2,011 | $8,710 | $104,550 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $59.34 | $2,373 | $10,290 | $123,420 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $66.08 | $2,643 | $11,450 | $137,450 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $78.97 | $3,159 | $13,690 | $164,250 |
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN MISSOURI?
| Hourly | $60.38 |
| Weekly | $2,415 |
| Monthly | $10,470 |
| Annual | $125,600 |
HOW MUCH DO NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONERS EARN IN THE VARIOUS METROS OF MISSOURI?
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Cape Girardeau | $60.77 | $2,431 | $10,530 | $126,400 |
| Columbia | $57.77 | $2,311 | $10,010 | $120,160 |
| Jefferson City | $58.58 | $2,343 | $10,150 | $121,840 |
| Joplin | $60.77 | $2,431 | $10,530 | $126,400 |
| Kansas City | $63.05 | $2,522 | $10,930 | $131,140 |
| St. Joseph | $63.05 | $2,522 | $10,930 | $131,150 |
| St. Louis | $61.14 | $2,446 | $10,600 | $127,170 |
| Springfield | $56.96 | $2,278 | $9,870 | $118,470 |
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN MISSOURI VS. OTHER SALARIES
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN MISSOURI VS. NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN THE NATION
| Average Missouri Neonatal NP Annual Salary | Average National Neonatal NP Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $125,600 | $138,310 | -$12,710 | -9.19% |
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN MISSOURI VS. NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARIES IN OTHER STATES
| State | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| California | $173,890 | -$48,290 | -27.77% |
| Nevada | $160,030 | -$34,430 | -21.51% |
| Washington | $156,510 | -$30,910 | -19.75% |
| New Jersey | $156,110 | -$30,510 | -19.54% |
| Oregon | $156,030 | -$30,430 | -19.50% |
| Massachusetts | $155,020 | -$29,420 | -18.98% |
| New York | $153,750 | -$28,150 | -18.31% |
| Connecticut | $147,450 | -$21,850 | -14.82% |
| New Mexico | $147,220 | -$21,620 | -14.69% |
| Minnesota | $145,330 | -$19,730 | -13.58% |
| District of Columbia | $145,160 | -$19,560 | -13.47% |
| Rhode Island | $143,660 | -$18,060 | -12.57% |
| Hawaii | $142,740 | -$17,140 | -12.01% |
| Arizona | $142,690 | -$17,090 | -11.98% |
| Delaware | $141,130 | -$15,530 | -11.00% |
| Iowa | $140,820 | -$15,220 | -10.81% |
| New Hampshire | $140,730 | -$15,130 | -10.75% |
| Texas | $139,950 | -$14,350 | -10.25% |
| Wisconsin | $138,140 | -$12,540 | -9.08% |
| Maryland | $137,770 | -$12,170 | -8.83% |
| Utah | $137,590 | -$11,990 | -8.71% |
| North Dakota | $137,520 | -$11,920 | -8.67% |
| Pennsylvania | $137,190 | -$11,590 | -8.45% |
| Illinois | $136,600 | -$11,000 | -8.05% |
| Alaska | $135,810 | -$10,210 | -7.52% |
| Vermont | $135,740 | -$10,140 | -7.47% |
| Montana | $134,170 | -$8,570 | -6.39% |
| Idaho | $134,070 | -$8,470 | -6.32% |
| Oklahoma | $133,830 | -$8,230 | -6.15% |
| Wyoming | $133,000 | -$7,400 | -5.56% |
| Indiana | $132,740 | -$7,140 | -5.38% |
| Maine | $132,340 | -$6,740 | -5.09% |
| Ohio | $132,260 | -$6,660 | -5.04% |
| Colorado | $131,310 | -$5,710 | -4.35% |
| Nebraska | $130,980 | -$5,380 | -4.11% |
| North Carolina | $130,880 | -$5,280 | -4.03% |
| Georgia | $130,410 | -$4,810 | -3.69% |
| South Dakota | $130,230 | -$4,630 | -3.56% |
| Virginia | $130,110 | -$4,510 | -3.47% |
| Michigan | $129,900 | -$4,300 | -3.31% |
| Florida | $128,860 | -$3,260 | -2.53% |
| Kansas | $128,390 | -$2,790 | -2.17% |
| Louisiana | $127,740 | -$2,140 | -1.68% |
| Mississippi | $126,470 | -$870 | -0.69% |
| South Carolina | $125,880 | -$280 | -0.22% |
| Missouri | $125,600 | $0 | 0.00% |
| West Virginia | $122,120 | +$3,480 | +2.85% |
| Arkansas | $122,080 | +$3,520 | +2.88% |
| Kentucky | $118,810 | +$6,790 | +5.72% |
| Alabama | $118,430 | +$7,170 | +6.05% |
| Tennessee | $111,650 | +$13,950 | +12.49% |
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN MISSOURI VS. OTHER NURSE SALARIES IN MISSOURI
| Type of Nurse | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Nurse Anesthetist | $230,470 | -$104,870 | -45.50% |
| Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | $125,600 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Nurse Midwife | $122,900 | +$2,700 | +2.20% |
| Registered Nurse | $77,590 | +$48,010 | +61.88% |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary | $76,000 | +$49,600 | +65.26% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $55,220 | +$70,380 | +127.45% |
| Nursing Assistant | $36,350 | +$89,250 | +245.53% |
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN MISSOURI VS. SALARIES OF OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OCCUPATIONS IN MISSOURI
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Podiatrist | $200,420 | -$74,820 | -37.33% |
| Pharmacist | $132,570 | -$6,970 | -5.26% |
| Physician Assistant | $128,280 | -$2,680 | -2.09% |
| Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | $125,600 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Optometrist | $109,890 | +$15,710 | +14.30% |
| Veterinarian | $104,380 | +$21,220 | +20.33% |
| Audiologist | $96,510 | +$29,090 | +30.14% |
| Physical Therapist | $91,030 | +$34,570 | +37.98% |
| Occupational Therapist | $87,970 | +$37,630 | +42.78% |
| Radiation Therapist | $85,630 | +$39,970 | +46.68% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $80,730 | +$44,870 | +55.58% |
| Dental Hygienist | $79,740 | +$45,860 | +57.51% |
| Chiropractor | $72,730 | +$52,870 | +72.69% |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs In Missouri?
| 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 Missouri?
| 1 |
3. On Average, How Much Does A Neonatal NP Make Per Hour In Missouri?
| $60.38 |
4. On Average, How Much Does A Neonatal NP Make Per Week In Missouri?
| $2,415 |
5. On Average, How Much Does A Neonatal NP Make Per Month In Missouri?
| $10,470 |
6. On Average, How Much Does A Neonatal NP Make Per Year In Missouri?
| $125,600 |
7. What Is The Job Outlook For Neonatal Nurse Practitioners In Missouri?
| 10-Year Job Outlook (2022-2032) |
| +41.89% |
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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