Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs in New Jersey (Online & Campus) – 2026
Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
FOLLOWING ARE THE NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN NEW JERSEY (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2026
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the campus-based and online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner programs in New Jersey.)
1. The College of New Jersey - Ewing
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Program Details: Are you a Registered Nurse interested in taking your career to the next level by earning a master’s degree? Do you dream of a job where you can provide care to patients from birth to age two and their families in diverse hospital and clinic settings? If so, becoming a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner could be an excellent career move. Knowing what to look for in a school and finding a program that fits with your personal and professional goals makes it easier to get started on a path to achieving your dreams. For instance, The College of New Jersey offers one of the best Neonatal Nurse Practitioner programs in New Jersey, designed to prepare nurses like you for advanced practice roles caring for high-risk newborns, infants, and their families.
The MSN Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program is a collaboration between The College of New Jersey’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences and Thomas Jefferson University. By combining TCNJ’s graduate nursing education with Thomas Jefferson’s nationally recognized neonatal nurse practitioner curriculum, this partnership provides students with the resources of two respected institutions. Admission is offered twice a year, in both the fall and spring semesters, and students can complete the program in two and a half to three years, depending on course load and progression.
The program is primarily online, which makes it a great option for working nurses across New Jersey and neighboring areas. The online coursework is paired with hands-on clinical education in approved neonatal healthcare facilities under the supervision of qualified preceptors. With the curriculum shared between both institutions, students receive instruction from faculty with deep expertise in neonatal and advanced practice nursing. Synchronous online classes are held in the evenings to accommodate working professionals, following TCNJ’s standard 15-week calendar.
The 48-credit curriculum combines foundational graduate nursing courses with advanced neonatal specialty coursework. The study plan is designed to provide a scientific and conceptual framework that allows you to progress from core MSN courses toward specialized courses, culminating in advanced neonatal nurse practitioner training focused on the care of critically ill neonates and infants.
Key courses you will take in the program include Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics for Neonatal Nurse Practitioners, Comprehensive Assessment for Clinical Decision-Making of the Mother and Neonate, and Diagnostic Reasoning and Clinical Decision-Making for Neonatal Nurse Practitioners. You will develop skills to evaluate, diagnose, and manage complex neonatal conditions, collaborating with neonatologists, pediatric specialists, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and interdisciplinary teams.
As a nurse educator, I view clinical education as the keystone of any nursing program. This phase of your training provides direct patient care experience that lectures and textbooks cannot duplicate. At The College of New Jersey, clinical rotations are a fundamental part of the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner curriculum. The program features progressively advanced supervised clinical experiences that let you apply academic knowledge to neonatal care. In this program, you will complete 750 supervised clinical hours under the mentorship of experienced neonatal nurse practitioners and physicians at approved locations.
Your clinical practicum experiences will involve both routine and highly complex neonatal cases. Here, you will refine skills in advanced assessment, diagnostic reasoning, procedures, and evidence-based management of critically ill newborns. Clinical rotations typically occur in Level II, III, and IV NICUs, specialized clinics, and high-risk follow-up clinics. These experiences provide care opportunities for premature infants, extremely low birthweight babies, neonates needing ventilator support, surgical patients, and those with infectious, respiratory, neurological, gastrointestinal, or endocrine disorders, as well as infants confronting unexpected birth emergencies.
The MSN Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program at The College of New Jersey offers significant advantages for experienced NICU nurses seeking advanced clinical roles. Not only does the program offer a flexible, primarily online format suited to working professionals, but it also ensures rigorous preparation through a curriculum collaboratively designed with Thomas Jefferson University. This partnership expands your learning with access to premier neonatal faculty, clinical resources from both institutions, and a curriculum adapted to current practice needs.
The program’s academic rigor and hands-on clinical training are intended to equip you with the education and skills needed to render high-quality care to vulnerable newborns. Simulation experiences and multidisciplinary collaboration help you build confidence in clinical decision-making. When you complete this program, you will emerge well-prepared for advanced neonatal practice and national certification, positioned for career advancement and leadership roles in neonatal care.
MSN Admission Requirements: Admission to the MSN Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program is competitive. It is designed for nurses with strong academic preparation and significant neonatal experience. You must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a CCNE- or NLN-accredited nursing program. You also need a current, unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse and a minimum of three years of work experience in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Applicants need to submit an essay, résumé or CV, two references (evaluating academic performance, work experience, and aptitude for graduate study), and transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. A minimum GPA of 3.4 is required. The admissions process may also include a preadmission interview to ensure that candidates meet both academic and professional expectations.
Students accepted into the program must fulfill university health requirements, complete background and drug screenings, maintain CPR certification, and carry student liability insurance before clinicals. Due to clinical placements with Thomas Jefferson University, some Pennsylvania licensure requirements may also apply, illustrating the interdependency between institutions.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Graduates of the NNP program at The College of New Jersey are academically prepared to pursue national certification as Neonatal Nurse Practitioners after meeting certification eligibility requirements. According to the school, 100% of the program’s graduates passed the national certification exam on their first attempt for the last five years in a row. This is just one reason why TCNJ is ranked the top neonatal nurse practitioner program in New Jersey!• The College of New Jersey offers low faculty-to-student ratios for its NNP program. This ensures you have access to instructors who are available to assist you and dedicated to supporting your success.
• As a result of the partnership with Thomas Jefferson University, students gain access to nationally recognized neonatal faculty and specialized learning resources, further assisting their transition to the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner role.
• The College of New Jersey maintains low tuition rates for both in-state and out-of-state students. The school also offers financial aid and assistantship options for graduate students.
• Because of the collaboration between The College of New Jersey and Thomas Jefferson University, you will earn graduate credits from both institutions while completing a unified curriculum designed specifically for neonatal nurse practitioner preparation. This partnership-based model expands your educational opportunities and provides access to specialized neonatal clinical environments that may not otherwise be available.
HOW MUCH DO NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER GRADUATES MAKE IN NEW JERSEY?
WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN NEW JERSEY EXPECT?
| Hourly | $59.49 |
| Weekly | $2,380 |
| Monthly | $10,310 |
| Annual | $123,740 |
HOW MUCH CAN GRADUATES OF NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN NEW JERSEY EARN WITH EXPERIENCE?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Entry-Level | $59.49 | $2,380 | $10,310 | $123,740 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $69.26 | $2,771 | $12,010 | $144,070 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $77.66 | $3,107 | $13,460 | $161,540 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $91.99 | $3,680 | $15,950 | $191,340 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $102.39 | $4,096 | $17,750 | $212,980 |
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN NEW JERSEY?
| Hourly | $80.60 |
| Weekly | $3,224 |
| Monthly | $13,970 |
| Annual | $167,650 |
HOW MUCH DO NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONERS EARN IN THE VARIOUS METROS OF NEW JERSEY?
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton | $74.28 | $2,971 | $12,880 | $154,500 |
| Trenton-Princeton | $79.59 | $3,183 | $13,800 | $165,540 |
| Vineland | $77.44 | $3,098 | $13,420 | $161,080 |
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN NEW JERSEY VS. OTHER SALARIES
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN NEW JERSEY VS. NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN THE NATION
| Average New Jersey Neonatal NP Annual Salary | Average National Neonatal NP Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $167,650 | $147,790 | +$19,860 | +13.44% |
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN NEW JERSEY VS. NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARIES IN OTHER STATES
| State | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| California | $190,260 | -$22,610 | -11.88% |
| Oregon | $167,680 | -$30 | -0.02% |
| New Jersey | $167,650 | $0 | 0.00% |
| New York | $165,660 | +$1,990 | +1.20% |
| Massachusetts | $163,960 | +$3,690 | +2.25% |
| Washington | $163,810 | +$3,840 | +2.34% |
| Alaska | $160,510 | +$7,140 | +4.45% |
| District of Columbia | $157,660 | +$9,990 | +6.34% |
| New Mexico | $154,470 | +$13,180 | +8.53% |
| Rhode Island | $154,090 | +$13,560 | +8.80% |
| Hawaii | $153,830 | +$13,820 | +8.98% |
| Connecticut | $153,220 | +$14,430 | +9.42% |
| Arizona | $151,340 | +$16,310 | +10.78% |
| Vermont | $150,050 | +$17,600 | +11.73% |
| New Hampshire | $148,620 | +$19,030 | +12.80% |
| Nevada | $147,910 | +$19,740 | +13.35% |
| Utah | $147,530 | +$20,120 | +13.64% |
| Iowa | $147,400 | +$20,250 | +13.74% |
| Minnesota | $146,270 | +$21,380 | +14.62% |
| Montana | $145,630 | +$22,020 | +15.12% |
| Wisconsin | $145,490 | +$22,160 | +15.23% |
| Maine | $144,460 | +$23,190 | +16.05% |
| Oklahoma | $144,450 | +$23,200 | +16.06% |
| Idaho | $143,610 | +$24,040 | +16.74% |
| Maryland | $143,550 | +$24,100 | +16.79% |
| Delaware | $143,050 | +$24,600 | +17.20% |
| Michigan | $142,940 | +$24,710 | +17.29% |
| Wyoming | $142,820 | +$24,830 | +17.39% |
| Colorado | $142,670 | +$24,980 | +17.51% |
| Pennsylvania | $142,160 | +$25,490 | +17.93% |
| Nebraska | $141,770 | +$25,880 | +18.25% |
| Texas | $141,460 | +$26,190 | +18.51% |
| Missouri | $140,980 | +$26,670 | +18.92% |
| Illinois | $140,940 | +$26,710 | +18.95% |
| North Carolina | $140,870 | +$26,780 | +19.01% |
| Florida | $140,370 | +$27,280 | +19.43% |
| Arkansas | $140,210 | +$27,440 | +19.57% |
| Virginia | $138,920 | +$28,730 | +20.68% |
| Georgia | $138,640 | +$29,010 | +20.92% |
| Kansas | $137,710 | +$29,940 | +21.74% |
| West Virginia | $136,470 | +$31,180 | +22.85% |
| Louisiana | $136,300 | +$31,350 | +23.00% |
| Indiana | $136,270 | +$31,380 | +23.03% |
| North Dakota | $136,020 | +$31,630 | +23.25% |
| Mississippi | $134,920 | +$32,730 | +24.26% |
| South Dakota | $134,720 | +$32,930 | +24.44% |
| Kentucky | $134,560 | +$33,090 | +24.59% |
| South Carolina | $133,660 | +$33,990 | +25.43% |
| Ohio | $132,300 | +$35,350 | +26.72% |
| Tennessee | $124,340 | +$43,310 | +34.83% |
| Alabama | $119,450 | +$48,200 | +40.35% |
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN NEW JERSEY VS. OTHER NURSE SALARIES IN NEW JERSEY
| Type of Nurse | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Nurse Anesthetist | $290,920 | -$123,270 | -42.37% |
| Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | $167,650 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Registered Nurse | $110,100 | +$57,550 | +52.27% |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary | $83,650 | +$84,000 | +100.42% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $74,600 | +$93,050 | +124.73% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,810 | +$120,840 | +258.15% |
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN NEW JERSEY VS. SALARIES OF OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OCCUPATIONS IN NEW JERSEY
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Dentist | $198,290 | -$30,640 | -15.45% |
| Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | $167,650 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Veterinarian | $166,170 | +$1,480 | +0.89% |
| Physician Assistant | $162,100 | +$5,550 | +3.42% |
| Podiatrist | $161,820 | +$5,830 | +3.60% |
| Optometrist | $161,110 | +$6,540 | +4.06% |
| Pharmacist | $141,350 | +$26,300 | +18.61% |
| Radiation Therapist | $137,970 | +$29,680 | +21.51% |
| Chiropractor | $126,020 | +$41,630 | +33.03% |
| Physical Therapist | $114,550 | +$53,100 | +46.36% |
| Audiologist | $113,560 | +$54,090 | +47.63% |
| Occupational Therapist | $110,150 | +$57,500 | +52.20% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $109,510 | +$58,140 | +53.09% |
| Dental Hygienist | $104,410 | +$63,240 | +60.57% |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs In New Jersey?
| 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 New Jersey?
| 1 |
3. On Average, How Much Does A Neonatal NP Make Per Hour In New Jersey?
| $80.60 |
4. On Average, How Much Does A Neonatal NP Make Per Week In New Jersey?
| $3,224 |
5. On Average, How Much Does A Neonatal NP Make Per Month In New Jersey?
| $13,970 |
6. On Average, How Much Does A Neonatal NP Make Per Year In New Jersey?
| $167,650 |
7. What Is The Job Outlook For Neonatal Nurse Practitioners In New Jersey?
| 10-Year Job Outlook (2022-2032) |
| +50.66% |
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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