Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs in Virginia (Online & Campus) – 2025
Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
Neonatal nurse practitioners in Virginia are an exceptional group of healthcare professionals, combining expert clinical skills with deep reserves of compassion. Graduates of neonatal nurse practitioner programs in Virginia deliver advanced care to critically ill and premature infants in neonatal intensive care units and other specialized practice settings. Virginia's preterm birth rate continues to rise, so it's unsurprising that the demand for NNP services is also growing in the Old Dominion State: Within the next decade, employment opportunities for NNPs in Virginia will increase by 56 percent. In Virginia, neonatal nurse practitioners can expect to earn an annual salary of $130,110. Find out more in our review of the best neonatal nurse practitioner programs in Virginia.
FOLLOWING ARE THE NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN VIRGINIA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the campus-based and online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner programs in Virginia.)
1. University of Virginia - Charlottesville
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and Post-Professional Certificate
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The DNP Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Virginia is an outstanding option for baccalaureate-prepared RNs interested in pursuing a career in advanced neonatal care. The program, one of the best neonatal nurse practitioner programs in Virginia, prepares Neonatal Nurse Practitioners to provide cutting-edge, patient-centered care to newborns through age 2.
The BSN-to-DNP Neonatal NP program is a full-time, three-year pathway. The blended learning format combines in-person classes, averaging once per month, with online learning and face-to-face clinical experiences.
The 63-credit curriculum consists of core courses, NNP specialty track concentration courses, elective courses, and practicum courses. In this program, you will take classes such as Culturally Sensitive Care/Population Health, Genetics, Embryology, & Developmental Physiology, and Healthcare Data Analytics.
The DNP program includes 750 direct care clinical hours. DNP faculty work with you to create individualized clinical plans. While practicums are typically completed across the Commonwealth of Virginia, you are not required to complete them at the UVA Medical Center. With approval from faculty, and if the University of Virginia is authorized in your state, you can complete the clinical requirements of the program in your home state.
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the BSN-to-DNP program, you must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited nursing school and hold an unencumbered RN license in the Commonwealth of Virginia or a Nurse Licensure Compact state. Prospective students are required to submit a completed application, an application fee, a current resume or curriculum vitae, and official transcripts from all post-secondary studies. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required. However, candidates with a 3.25 or higher grade point average are more competitive.
Additionally, because admission is so competitive, applicants with an active membership in a national nursing organization (preferably in the neonatal practice area), who have demonstrated leadership skills and behaviors in practice, and who have excellent writing skills are preferred. You may also be asked to participate in an admission interview with the program faculty.
Post-Professional Certificate Program Details: If you are an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with goals of becoming a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, the Post-Professional Certificate program offered at the University of Virginia is a great option to consider. The program features an executive hybrid format, designed with working nurses in mind. Campus visits are required only about once a month and are complemented by online coursework and in-person practicums.
Upon admission to the program, a GAP analysis will be conducted to determine a personalized plan of study that ensures eligibility to sit for national certification upon program completion. In addition to completing specialty-relevant coursework, you will complete over 500 clinical hours.
Post-Professional Certificate Admission Requirements: Admission to the Post-Master’s Certificate program is reserved for Registered Nurses who have obtained a graduate degree in nursing from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited nursing program and who possess an active state RN license and certification to practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. In addition to completing an online application, you are required to submit a resume or CV and transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended. Transcripts should reflect the completion of three stand-alone comprehensive graduate-level courses in advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacology, and advanced physiology & pathophysiology. An interview with program faculty may be requested before you receive an admission offer.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• One of the most crucial components of a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program is clinicals. As a nurse educator, I encourage prospective students to seek programs that offer clinical placement assistance and a wide array of clinical opportunities to prepare them for practice. For instance, the University of Virginia guarantees practicum placements for students in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Additionally, although out-of-state placements are not guaranteed, the school has partnerships with clinical affiliate sites and preceptors in nearby states, including Maryland, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C.• Admission to NNP programs can be competitive. At the University of Virginia, School of Nursing alumni are guaranteed admission, which means no wondering if you “made the cut” or being waitlisted!
• Graduate nursing programs are content-heavy and require significant time dedicated to study, completing clinicals, and completing a Scholarly Project. In schools where multiple cohorts are progressing at once, students can easily feel lost in the shuffle. One of the things I like about the University of Virginia's Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program is that it is offered every other year, making it easier for students to receive one-on-one attention from faculty and staff, which helps promote success.
• The Neonatal NP program at the University of Virginia is led by industry-leading, renowned faculty. Each faculty member brings unique experience and insight to the program and diligently works to promote your success both in the program and following graduation.
• Graduates of the NNP program at the University of Virginia have excellent job placement rates. According to the school, many students receive job offers while still enrolled in the program. Those who seek employment after graduation typically report being employed in the Neonatal NP role within three months of program completion.
2. Old Dominion University - Norfolk
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Program Details: Old Dominion University offers another excellent Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program in Virginia. The program is designed to prepare Neonatal NPs with the expertise required to provide neonatal care across diverse settings, specializing in the care of preterm and term neonates up to two years of age.
The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program is an online program that features both synchronous and asynchronous course delivery. However, occasional visits to the Old Dominion campus are required to complete standardized patient and simulation experiences. Campus visits usually take place on one weekend each semester.
The program is a 49-credit pathway. The curriculum consists of 22 MSN core credits and 27 Neonatal Nurse Practitioner concentration credits. In this program, you will study Advanced Neonatal Care: High Risk Management, Developmental Neonatal Physiology, and Pharmacology for Advanced Neonatal Care.
Additionally, the program includes a minimum of 600 clinical practicum hours. Clinicals occur in Level III and Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Units, satisfying both the MSN degree requirements and Neonatal NP certification requirements. If clinical sites and Neonatal NP preceptors are available in your home community, the Program Director will collaborate with you to secure placement near your home.
MSN Admission Requirements: Eligible candidates for the MSN program at Old Dominion University must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing or a related science field from a regionally accredited college or university and an unrestricted, current license to practice as a Registered Nurse. Additionally, you need to submit three letters of recommendation (at least one from a former faculty member), a written Goals Statement that addresses your reasons for seeking certification as an NNP, and official transcripts reflecting a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and showing completion of undergraduate courses in Health/Physical Assessment and Statistics.
Applicants applying for full-time enrollment must have two years of recent clinical experience working in an NICU. If you apply for part-time study, you may be considered for admission with only one year of NICU experience. In this case, you must continue employment in a Neonatal ICU during the first year you are enrolled in the program.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• One of the things I love about nursing is the endless opportunities to learn and add new skills or certifications to your portfolio. At Old Dominion University, MSN students in the NNP program may declare their intention to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree before the final semester of the MSN program. Pursuing your DNP at Old Dominion means you can achieve the highest level of clinical practice in nursing. The seamless transition from the MSN to the DNP program makes it easier to continue your education without changing schools.• Successful completion of the MSN Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program at ODU qualifies you to sit for the examination to become nationally certified as a Neonatal NP. Old Dominion reports that graduates of this program have exceptional success on these exams, with most passing on their first attempt!
• When it comes to student satisfaction, Old Dominion University’s Neonatal NP students report high satisfaction with the school and program. According to satisfaction surveys submitted by current and former students, the school receives high rankings regarding program quality, faculty expertise, faculty and preceptor availability, and student support.
• As a student in the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program at Old Dominion, you will complete clinicals in newborn nurseries, Levels II, III, and IV Neonatal ICUs, community and academic settings, acute and chronic care settings, and transport. The broad range of clinical diversity means you will be well prepared to transition to the role of an NNP with confidence.
HOW MUCH DO NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER GRADUATES MAKE IN VIRGINIA?
WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN VIRGINIA EXPECT?
| Hourly | $46.02 |
| Weekly | $1,841 |
| Monthly | $7,980 |
| Annual | $95,720 |
HOW MUCH CAN GRADUATES OF NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN VIRGINIA EARN WITH EXPERIENCE?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Entry-Level | $46.02 | $1,841 | $7,980 | $95,720 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $52.07 | $2,083 | $9,030 | $108,310 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $61.47 | $2,459 | $10,650 | $127,850 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $68.45 | $2,738 | $11,870 | $142,380 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $81.80 | $3,272 | $14,180 | $170,150 |
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN VIRGINIA?
| Hourly | $62.55 |
| Weekly | $2,502 |
| Monthly | $10,840 |
| Annual | $130,110 |
HOW MUCH DO NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONERS EARN IN THE VARIOUS METROS OF VIRGINIA?
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | >Monthly | Annual |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | $60.70 | $2,428 | > $10,520 | $126,260 |
| Charlottesville | $66.08 | $2,643 | > $11,450 | $137,440 |
| Harrisonburg | $59.24 | $2,370 | > $10,270 | $123,220 |
| Lynchburg | $58.88 | $2,355 | > $10,210 | $122,480 |
| Richmond | $65.15 | $2,606 | > $11,290 | $135,520 |
| Roanoke | $58.85 | $2,354 | > $10,200 | $122,400 |
| Staunton-Waynesboro | $64.38 | $2,575 | > $11,160 | $133,910 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News | $61.19 | $2,448 | > $10,610 | $127,270 |
| Winchester | $60.09 | $2,404 | > $10,420 | $124,990 |
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN VIRGINIA VS. OTHER SALARIES
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN VIRGINIA VS. NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN THE NATION
| Average Virginia Neonatal NP Annual Salary | Average National Neonatal NP Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $130,110 | $138,310 | -$8,200 | -5.93% |
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN VIRGINIA VS. NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARIES IN OTHER STATES
| State | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| California | $173,890 | -$43,780 | -25.18% |
| Nevada | $160,030 | -$29,920 | -18.70% |
| Washington | $156,510 | -$26,400 | -16.87% |
| New Jersey | $156,110 | -$26,000 | -16.65% |
| Oregon | $156,030 | -$25,920 | -16.61% |
| Massachusetts | $155,020 | -$24,910 | -16.07% |
| New York | $153,750 | -$23,640 | -15.38% |
| Connecticut | $147,450 | -$17,340 | -11.76% |
| New Mexico | $147,220 | -$17,110 | -11.62% |
| Minnesota | $145,330 | -$15,220 | -10.47% |
| District of Columbia | $145,160 | -$15,050 | -10.37% |
| Rhode Island | $143,660 | -$13,550 | -9.43% |
| Hawaii | $142,740 | -$12,630 | -8.85% |
| Arizona | $142,690 | -$12,580 | -8.82% |
| Delaware | $141,130 | -$11,020 | -7.81% |
| Iowa | $140,820 | -$10,710 | -7.61% |
| New Hampshire | $140,730 | -$10,620 | -7.55% |
| Texas | $139,950 | -$9,840 | -7.03% |
| Wisconsin | $138,140 | -$8,030 | -5.81% |
| Maryland | $137,770 | -$7,660 | -5.56% |
| Utah | $137,590 | -$7,480 | -5.44% |
| North Dakota | $137,520 | -$7,410 | -5.39% |
| Pennsylvania | $137,190 | -$7,080 | -5.16% |
| Illinois | $136,600 | -$6,490 | -4.75% |
| Alaska | $135,810 | -$5,700 | -4.20% |
| Vermont | $135,740 | -$5,630 | -4.15% |
| Montana | $134,170 | -$4,060 | -3.03% |
| Idaho | $134,070 | -$3,960 | -2.95% |
| Oklahoma | $133,830 | -$3,720 | -2.78% |
| Wyoming | $133,000 | -$2,890 | -2.17% |
| Indiana | $132,740 | -$2,630 | -1.98% |
| Maine | $132,340 | -$2,230 | -1.69% |
| Ohio | $132,260 | -$2,150 | -1.63% |
| Colorado | $131,310 | -$1,200 | -0.91% |
| Nebraska | $130,980 | -$870 | -0.66% |
| North Carolina | $130,880 | -$770 | -0.59% |
| Georgia | $130,410 | -$300 | -0.23% |
| South Dakota | $130,230 | -$120 | -0.09% |
| Virginia | $130,110 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Michigan | $129,900 | +$210 | +0.16% |
| Florida | $128,860 | +$1,250 | +0.97% |
| Kansas | $128,390 | +$1,720 | +1.34% |
| Louisiana | $127,740 | +$2,370 | +1.86% |
| Mississippi | $126,470 | +$3,640 | +2.88% |
| South Carolina | $125,880 | +$4,230 | +3.36% |
| Missouri | $125,600 | +$4,510 | +3.59% |
| West Virginia | $122,120 | +$7,990 | +6.54% |
| Arkansas | $122,080 | +$8,030 | +6.58% |
| Kentucky | $118,810 | +$11,300 | +9.51% |
| Alabama | $118,430 | +$11,680 | +9.86% |
| Tennessee | $111,650 | +$18,460 | +16.53% |
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN VIRGINIA VS. OTHER NURSE SALARIES IN VIRGINIA
| Type of Nurse | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Nurse Anesthetist | $232,250 | -$102,140 | -43.98% |
| Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | $130,110 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Nurse Midwife | $118,750 | +$11,360 | +9.57% |
| Registered Nurse | $88,350 | +$41,760 | +47.27% |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Post-secondary | $79,950 | +$50,160 | +62.74% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $57,810 | +$72,300 | +125.06% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,440 | +$92,670 | +247.52% |
NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN VIRGINIA VS. SALARIES OF OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OCCUPATIONS IN VIRGINIA
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Dentist | $187,950 | -$57,840 | -30.77% |
| Pharmacist | $138,390 | -$8,280 | -5.98% |
| Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | $130,110 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Physician Assistant | $120,010 | +$10,100 | +8.42% |
| Veterinarian | $118,940 | +$11,170 | +9.39% |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,550 | +$27,560 | +26.87% |
| Physical Therapist | $99,850 | +$30,260 | +30.31% |
| Radiation Therapist | $99,710 | +$30,400 | +30.49% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $95,640 | +$34,470 | +36.04% |
| Dental Hygienist | $91,800 | +$38,310 | +41.73% |
| Audiologist | $78,970 | +$51,140 | +64.76% |
| Chiropractor | $75,570 | +$54,540 | +72.17% |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Programs In Virginia?
| 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 Virginia?
| 2 |
3. On Average, How Much Does A Neonatal NP Make Per Hour In Virginia?
| $62.55 |
4. On Average, How Much Does A Neonatal NP Make Per Week In Virginia?
| $2,502 |
5. On Average, How Much Does A Neonatal NP Make Per Month In Virginia?
| $10,840 |
6. On Average, How Much Does A Neonatal NP Make Per Year In Virginia?
| $130,110 |
7. What Is The Job Outlook For Neonatal Nurse Practitioners In Virginia?
| 10-Year Job Outlook (2022-2032) |
| +55.65% |
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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