NRP Certification Guide for Nurses: Neonatal Resuscitation Program

Whether you're a labor and delivery nurse, NICU specialist, emergency department, or a respiratory therapist working with high-risk newborns, NRP certification is a career essential. Not only does it equip you with life-saving newborn resuscitation skills, but it's also a key requirement for many travel nursing opportunities.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to get certified, what’s included in the training, how to renew your NRP, and how it connects to higher-paying travel nurse roles.

Why NRP Certification Matters for Nurses

The Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) is more than just a credential, it’s a clinical necessity. Developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), NRP uses an evidence-based approach that equips healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills to respond to emergencies during the first critical moments of a newborn’s life.

Whether you're assisting in delivery or working in the NICU, being NRP certified ensures you can:

• Respond quickly to neonatal respiratory failure or cardiac arrest

• Work confidently on code blue teams in delivery rooms

• Qualify for travel and per diem roles requiring advanced certifications

Who Needs NRP Certification in Healthcare?

NRP is typically required or highly recommended for professionals working with newborns, especially in critical care or delivery settings.

Healthcare roles that need NRP certification:

• Labor & Delivery Nurses

• NICU Nurses

• Postpartum Nurses

• Obstetric Nurses

• Neonatal Nurse Practitioners

• Certified Nurse Midwives

• Pediatricians and Neonatologists

• Respiratory Therapists (RTs)

• Emergency/Transport Nurses handling neonatal cases

If you're considering travel nursing in OB/NICU, this certification is often non-negotiable.

NRP Certification Requirements

Before enrolling, make sure you meet the base requirements:

• Active RN, RRT, MD/DO, APRN, or PA license (or student status)

• Basic understanding of neonatal care

• BLS certification is often required prior to NRP

NRP is offered in two levels:

• Essentials (Parts 1–4): Intended for: Healthcare professionals who attend births but are not expected to perform advanced resuscitation beyond positive pressure ventilation (PPV).

  • Competencies include:

    • Initial steps of newborn care (warming, positioning, clearing airway, stimulation).

    • Effective use of bag-mask ventilation.

    • Supporting transition of healthy or mildly compromised newborns.

    • Does NOT include: Intubation, chest compressions, emergency medications.

• Advanced (Parts 1–9): Intended for: Clinicians who may be expected to lead or participate in full neonatal resuscitations.

  • Competencies include (Essentials + Advanced):

    • Airway management (intubation, supraglottic airway use).

    • Chest compressions.

    • Emergency medication administration (e.g., epinephrine, volume expanders).

    • Advanced team leadership in neonatal codes.

Both levels share the same online learning component, but the hands-on skills and simulation check-offs differ. Always check with your employer or agency about which version is required for your role.

How to Get NRP Certified: Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how to complete your Neonatal Resuscitation Program certification:

Step 1. Register for an Online NRP Course

• Visit the AAP NRP Learning Platform

• Choose Essentials or Advanced version based on your role

Step 2. Complete Online Learning Modules

• Includes simulations, video lessons, and testing

• You must pass the online exam to move forward

Step 3. Schedule a Skills Session

• Hands-on testing in-person (OSCE-style simulation)

• Usually hosted by hospitals, universities, or AHA-affiliated training sites

Step 4. Pass the Practical Exam

• Demonstrate key skills like:

  • Positive pressure ventilation

  • Chest compressions

  • Airway management

  • Team communication

Step 5. Download Your Certification

• Once passed, your NRP eCard is valid for 2 years

Renewal & Recertification

How long is NRP certification valid?

NRP is valid for 2 years from the date of issue.

Can you renew NRP online?

Yes, as long as you complete the online exam and repeat the in-person skills session.

Renewal Tip:

Set a calendar reminder at 18 months to start preparing, especially if you're actively traveling between contracts.

Cost, Time, and Format Options

NRP certification typically costs between $85 and $200, combining online modules and an in-person skills session. The course takes 6–10 hours to complete and follows a hybrid format, with many employers offering full reimbursement.

• Time Required: 6–10 hours (self-paced online + 2-hour skills session)

• Format: Hybrid (online + in-person)

Ask your travel nurse agency or hospital about reimbursement. Many employers cover the full cost.

What’s Covered in NRP Training?

Here’s what you’ll learn during NRP training, especially at the Advanced level:

• Initial steps of newborn care

• Airway management techniques

• Effective ventilation and oxygen delivery

• Chest compressions

• Emergency medication usage

• Post-resuscitation stabilization

• Teamwork and role clarity in codes

The training is grounded in real-world scenarios, using manikins, mock deliveries, and critical thinking drills.

How NRP Certification Supports Travel Nursing

Holding an active NRP certification opens doors to:

• Higher-paying travel contracts in OB/NICU/L&D

• Faster onboarding for urgent staffing needs

• Expanded job access in top hospitals nationwide

At Nomad Health, we see a clear difference in opportunity and pay range for nurses who are NRP-certified — especially in specialties like:

• Labor & Delivery

• Neonatal ICU

• High-Risk Maternity

• Pediatric Transport