So you’re thinking about getting your NeuroNICU (C-NNIC) certification from NCC? 

That’s awesome! And honestly, it’s a really big deal. 

Taking the NCC NeuroNICU (C-NNIC) certification exam shows you’re committed to providing the best possible care for babies with brain injury, or at-risk for brain injury like IVH, HIE, Stoke, or Seizures. 

But let’s be real – passing this NeuroNICU (C-NNIC) exam from NCC isn’t a walk in the park.

3 Reasons NICU nurses struggle with the NCC NeuroNICU and C-ELBW exams:

• Information Overload: There’s so much to know! It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material you could study.

• Lack of Structure: Without a clear study plan, it’s hard to know where to focus your efforts when you do sit down to study.

• Feeling Isolated: Studying alone can be lonely and discouraging, especially when you get stuck on a tough concept.

Table of Contents – What is covered in this article?

But here’s the good news!

You don’t have to face these challenges alone! Our NCC NeuroNICU study group will give you the tools and support you need to make your dream of earning the C-NNIC (NeuroNICU) certification from NCC vision a reality. 

During our live study sessions, I’ll break down complex concepts, provide you with a chance to ask questions and be a part of a live community of like-minded nurses so that you can cheer each other on as you work toward getting your certification. 

Click here to learn more about Synapse’s NCC Neuro-NICU Certification Self-Study Guide

5 reasons why a study group is the smartest move you can make

1. The ONLY Study Guide You’ll Need: We’ve got your back! Our study materials are made just for the NCC NeuroNICU and the C-ELBW certification exam. No more searching the internet for random info. Everything you need is right here, in one easy-to-follow guide.

2. Bye-Bye Frustration! We’ve all been there… stuck on a tough concept or feeling like we’re not making progress on our goals. In our NeuroNICU study group, you can ask questions, get answers, and feel supported every step of the way. Depending on when you enroll in our study course, you can have access to join live Q&A sessions with neonatal educators, clinical nurse specialists, and other expets to help you clear up any confusion you might have on a specific subject. And we record the study sessions so you can review these even if you can’t make it live.

3. Learn From the Experts: Our study materials include lectures that were created by NICU nurses, therapists, NNPs, educators, clinical nurse specialists, and neonatologists who have years of experience and are passionate about the neonatal brain. They know what it takes to provide the best bedside care and they pass on their clinical pearls to you in the lectures in way that will elevate your care and will also help you pass the exam.  In the study course, I’ve packed everything you need to know into a step by step plan. And, you’ll get access to tons of recorded lectures and bonus videos!

4. Make New Friends! Studying doesn’t have to be boring. In our group, you’ll connect with other NICU nurses who are going through the same thing as you – studying for the NCC NeuroNICU exam – or who have already taken the exam and can give you first-hand advice. The study group is truly a great way to make new friends, share tips, and celebrate your successes together.

5. Feel Confident on Exam Day: Our study group and review course will give you the knowledge and confidence you need to rock that NeuroNICU exam. We’ll cover everything from brain development to seizures and pain management – all the important stuff you need to know.

Don’t just take our word for it

Nurses who’ve walked this path before you have raved about how our study group transformed their preparation, filled knowledge gaps, and boosted their confidence. Some even passed on their first try, scoring “strong” in every category!

“I am extremely happy and grateful to you for helping me prepare and successfully pass the Neuro-NIC exam. I got my result just this morning. The materials, videos and all suggestions you provided were really helpful. Thanks for paving a path so that people can study and understand the complicated brain in a simple manner.”

“Thank you for such an amazing review course for the C-NNIC certification. I recently received my exam results and I passed on my first try and scored in the “strong” category for each section of the exam. I solely relied on your course and a few sections from a comprehensive neonatal textbook, but your course was the most helpful!”

“When I first heard about the Neuro NICU certification, I was so excited to take the test. However, I was nervous because there weren’t any study guides out for this test. When I heard Synapse was offering a study group for this exam, I joined right away. I learned so much and because of the study group, I passed! I am now certified in neuro NICU.”

“I took the C-NNIC a couple weeks back after viewing the content you offer & scored very strong in all categories!  Super review Kathi!”

“The study group was a great review if things that were covered by the exam. It guided what I needed to study more in depth. If a topic was presented that I felt I needed more on I used the recommended reading to fill in any gaps. I would recommend the course to anyone preparing to take the exam.”

“I found the course and materials very helpful. I only had one month to study for the exam and I relied heavily on the course syllabus and notes in order to be most efficient with my time. This was sufficient for me to pass the test.”

“It has been a long time since I had to study. I actually had no idea how to study anymore, especially since there were not any practice tests at that time. Kathi’s course was wonderful and helping me prepare my thoughts. I would listen to her classes on my commute. The video  links she gave were so helpful to explain concepts that I haven’t thought about since my University days. The guest lecturers were easy to understand.  Even if I never took the exam,  everything I learned made me a better nurse… and a more compassionate person. I don’t think I ever would have had a chance to pass this test without Kathi’s help.”

“The course was an excellent review of NeuroNICU. It helped me expand my knowledge of newborn neuro care.”

“I attended the majority of the live lectures (even if it meant getting up early. The lecturers were all highest caliber with invaluable information. I relied heavily on all the NCC Study Group materials. I did purchase most of the recommended books – they are excellent!!! I felt well prepared for this exam by my participation in the Synapse Care NCC NeuroNICU Exam Study Group!”

Still undecided? Click here to watch the replay of a recent NCC NeuroNICU Certification Information Session.

Who is Eligible to Take the NCC NeuroNICU Certification Exam? 

Before you add C-NNIC or C-ELBW after your name, you’ve got to pass an exam. To qualify for the Neonatal Neuro-Intensive Care exam, you must have a:

• Current/active/unencumbered in the U.S. or Canada as a physician (MD/DO), registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, respiratory therapist, physician assistant, or neonatal therapist (Occupational Therapists (OT), Physical Therapists (PT), Speech and Language Pathologists (SLP)). 

• No practice experience is required, but it is recommended that you have at least one year of experience caring for neurologically at-risk or compromised neonates for the best possibility of successfully completing the credentialing process.

How Can I Prepare for any of the NCC Neonatal Certification Exams? 

To ensure your success on the RNC-NIC, C-NNIC or C-ELBW exams, consider these valuable resources

Download Candidate Guides from NCC

These official resource guides provide a comprehensive overview of the exam content and valuable test-taking tips.

NCC NeuroNICU Candidate Guide

NCC C-ELBW Candidate Guide

Best NCC Study Guides on Amazon

If you are looking for a list of books that can help you study for the NCC NeuroNICU (C-NNIC) or C-ELBW certification exams, then check out this list of my favorite books below that you can find on Amazon (and some of them are even available in Kindle format too).

Please note that these links may contain Amazon affiliate links, which means that if you buy them I might make a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Golden Hours – Care of the VLBW Neonate (2nd Edition, by NCC). As you know, even when very low birth weight neonates are vigorous and crying, pink and well-perfused, they are at risk. Decisions made in the first hours of life can result in a smooth transition to extrauterine life or can hasten and worsen maladaptation. Representing expertise from specialists from around the country (and world), Golden Hours: Care of the Very Low Birth Weight Neonate, 2nd Edition is a comprehensive guide that can help you change the outcome for an at-risk neonate. This is the book we recommend to students in our C-ELBW study course.

C-ELBW Review Study Guide & Practice Questions (available in Kindle format) Review topics and then test your knowledge with over 420 Practice Tests Questions and Answers. The questions reflect the style and format of the NCC Extremely Low Birth Weight Neonate (C-ELBW) exam. Dive deep into all the exam topics specified by the NCC, from general assessment and management to developmental care and psychosocial behavioral states. I love this option because it is available in Kindle format too.

Handbook of Neonatal Neurology (just published in June 2024)
The Handbook of Neonatal Neurology, authored by specialists nationwide, is designed to help healthcare providers understand and care for neurologically compromised and at-risk neonates. It covers neuro-compromised and neuroprotective care in an easy-to-follow outline format. This book is highly recommended for anyone studying for the NCC NeuroNICU (C- NNIC) exam.

Are you looking for NeuroNICU study questions? Look no further than this book with 200 Neuro-NICU Study Questions. This book provides a comprehensive collection of practice questions with corresponding rationales to deepend your learning and understanding. This resource was created by a NNP with over 10 years of experience in neonatology. She also has a wonderful collection of other review guides for the C-ELBW exam, the NNP-BC exam, the Neonatal Transport exam, and others.

Volpe’s Neonatal Neurology Textbook (new 7th edition)
This is the bible of Neonatal Neurology and was completly revised in 2024. This text is for the die-hard NICU professional who loves all things baby brain. This new edition has new chapters on fetal neurology, maternal-fetal origins of neonatal disease, neurodevelopmental follow-up, inflammation, and neurology in low-resource settings. It also contains more than 1,000 illustrations, tables and neuro-imaging examples.

Lange’s Book Neonatology
This is my all time favorite NICU resource guide not only help you study for the C-NNICU and C-ELBW exams but I think it might also become your go-to resource book for your day-to-day clinical practice. And it’s small enough to keep in your work bag, or store in your locker. The publisher claims that it is the most trusted and comprehensive guide to treating common and rare problems in newborns. It’s outline format makes it easy to quickly retrieve information and includes sections on procedures and drug administration.

NCC Study Courses by Synapse Care

There are many ways to study for a certification exam, but attending a course has many advantages, and this is why we have created two courses for you.

Synapse C-ELBW Certification Exam Prep Course (enrollment opening soon for Fall 2025). Synapse Care will be opening registration for their first cohort of students studying for the C-ELBW exam in October 2025. Click here to get added to the interest list and you’ll be the first to know.

Synapse Care Solutions NCC NeuroNICU Exam Prep Course & Live Study Group: The ONLY NeuroNICU exam study course currently available! This comprehensive course includes a step-by-step weekly study guide, recommended textbooks, more than 12 hours of recorded lectures by NICU nurses, educators, and neonatologists, study quizzes, and dozens of bonus teaching videos. Occasionally we offer a live bi-weekly study group that allow you to interact with other NICU professionals studying for the NCC NeuroNICU exam, ask questions, and get answers! 

Click here to watch the replay of our recent information session of the NCC NeuroNICU certification exam offered by NCC.  I cover the exam requirements, exam components, and share my favorite study tips and textbooks for the exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why should I register for the Synapse NCC NeuroNICU and C-ELBW Study Courses?

A: The Synapse Study Courses are created by reall NICU nurses for NICU nurses. We have designed the courses, study groups and gathered all the best resources to help you succeed in your NeuroNICU or C-ELBW certification exam. We provide:

• The ONLY comprehensive step-by-step weekly study plan for the NCC NeuroNICU and have recently released a C-ELBW exam prep course for thosse intersted in this specialty too.

• Every course gives you expert guidance from experienced NICU nurses

• Be part of a supportive community of fellow nurses

• Increase your confidence on exam day (and every day you provide care!)

The Synapse C-ELBW certification study course is latest offering in our “Small Baby Collection” — Synapse Care olso offers a comprehensive Small Baby Brain Care Course and Small Baby Nursing Quality Care Collaborative.

Q: What is covered during the live study sessions?

A: The live sessions are on Zoom and we review one of the core modules in the Study Course.  We review the bonus materials in the course portal, go over study questions as a group, and discuss the answers.  

Q: How often do you offer the NCC NeuroNICU and C-ELBW Study Group?

A: The live Study Group for the C-NNIC exam is usually offered once a year.  The C-ELBW certification course is going live in the Fall of 2025 (click here to be added to our interest list)

Q: Are the Study Group sessions recorded?

A: Yes!  We know that it’s not always possible for you to join the study sessions live so we record them for your review at any time.   

Q: What study materials are included in Synapse’s NCC Exam Study Courses?

A: The course includes lectures that cover the core certification competencies from the exam guides and also includes:

• A step-by-step weekly study guide tailored to the NeuroNICU and ELBW exam

• Bonus videos from various NICU experts and YouTubers

• Study quizzes to test your knowledge

• Recommended textbooks for further study

Q: Who created the study materials?

A: The study materials were created by Synapse Care Solutions in collaboration with an extensive group of NICU experts.  Our core lectures are presented by NICU nurses, NNPs, and Neonatologists.  

Q: Will the study group help me pass the C-NNIC and C-ELBW exam?

A: Yes, we think so!  Obviously, we can’t guarantee that you’ll pass the exam but based on past student’s experience we know the study course can equip you with the knowledge and confidence you need to succeed. Past participants have even commented that the extra bonus study group sessions helped them pass the exam, often on their first try.

Q: How can I join the NCC Study Group?

A: Click here to register for the on-demand NCC NeuroNICU Study Course and get all the information you need to become a certified NeuroNICU nurse.

If you’d like to get on the waiting list for the C-ELBW study course (starting in October 2025), just click here.

Q: Can I still get certified if I fail the exam on my first try?

A: Yes! NCC allows you to apply to retake the exam after a 90-day waiting period. Visit their website for more information:  www.nccwebsite.org

Q: Who is eligible to take the NCC Certification Exam?

A: You should always check the NCC website for the most current requirements for the NeuroNICU (C-NNIC) exam by NCC, but as of the writing of this article, you must have:

• Current/active/unencumbered in the U.S. or Canada as a physician (MD/DO), registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, respiratory therapist, physician assistant, or neonatal therapist (Occupational Therapists (OT), Physical Therapists (PT), Speech and Language Pathologists (SLP)).

• No practice experience is required, but it is recommended that you have at least one year of experience caring for neurologically at-risk or compromised neonates for the best possibility of successfully completing the credentialing process.

For more information visit the NCC website.