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Purpose and rationale: The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) curriculum consists of both clinical and didactic learning experiences that are identified and defined by NANN, NCC and the AACN. The curriculum is consistent with these organizations standards of practice for neonatal nursing and will 1) establish baseline core competencies for students in neonatal advanced practice, 2) integrate the curriculum and distance education courses with clinical practicum with underserved populations guided by Healthy People 2010, and 3) improve the health and well being of women, infants, children and families utilizing an interdisciplinary approach. Implementation: Core Curriculum will be administered at each individual University and will meet the Essentials of Masters Education as set forth by the AACN. The NNP support courses and clinical courses utilize content and objectives that contain: standards of practice on neonatal nursing as defined by NANN/NCC, cultural competencies, diversity, transcultural nursing, communication, ethnopharmacology, physical assessment, health disparities, socioeconomic class, marginalization and health promotion. Teaching strategies will be to assign students to interdisciplinary rounds, lectures, ethnically diverse settings in underserved areas, and interdisciplinary clinical learning sites. Clinical education will be ensured through the utilization of culturally competent and sensitive preceptors. Clinical faculty will receive cultural competency education and training. Student's learning styles will be assessed through the VARK instrument and increase in cultural competency and sensitivity will be measured utilizing the TSET instrument. Evaluation: The curriculum will be reviewed by audit of course syllabi, summative and formative evaluations, and recommendations will be taken to the advisory board for recommended changes. TSET and VARK instrument scores will be analyzed and reviewed to determine learning styles of students and changes made to enrich the curriculum. A longitudinal study will collect data on graduating classes for employer's satisfaction with skills, cultural competence, and overall preparation of NNPs.