Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
By EveryNurse Staff on January 10, 2023
A pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who specializes in the care of children from infancy through adolescence. PNPs provide comprehensive health care to their young patients, including diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses, preventive care, and education and counseling on healthy lifestyles.
To become a PNP, you must earn a post-graduate nursing degree at the master’s or doctoral level with a specialization in pediatric nursing and sit for PNCB certification. Alternatively, you may earn a post-graduate degree in a related specialty, such as family nurse practitioner, and gain your post-graduate PNP certificate to master the competencies of a PNP.
PNP Program Overview
Students enrolled in a pediatric nurse practitioner program complete didactic and clinical coursework that prepares them to provide advanced, comprehensive care for pediatric patients with a wide range of needs across a variety of clinical settings, and will be able to:
- Conduct comprehensive health assessments, diagnose and treat common pediatric conditions, and order and interpret diagnostic tests
- Develop and implement individualized plans of care, counsel families on health issues, and provide health education
- Manage chronic illnesses, prescribe medications and therapies, and coordinate care with other health professionals
- Identify and respond to emergencies, provide crisis intervention, and manage pediatric patients in the emergency department
- Integrate theory and research in pediatric nursing into clinical decision making
- Provide leadership for health care policy planning, and advocate for quality and safety in health care systems
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Degrees
There are several pathways that lead to a degree as a pediatric nurse practitioner. Each program is designed to meet the needs of individuals who want to be PNP’s and each program will vary in terms of coursework, clinical components, and focus. The following are the most common degrees that lead to a career as a pediatric nurse practitioner:
MSN in Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care (PNP-AC) role focuses on the care of children’s acute, episodic health conditions. In addition to the comprehensive care provided by PNPs in all other areas, a PNP-AC works closely with primary and specialty doctors and often provides care in an emergency department or other short-term care settings.
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP-AC) programs are designed for nurses with a BSN or MSN degree and a minimum of one year of experience in an acute care pediatric setting.
MSN in Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
The PNP Primary Care (PNP-PC) role focuses on the total health and wellness of children from infancy through adolescence using a family-centered approach to care. PNP-PCs provide preventive care, diagnose and manage common pediatric illnesses and chronic conditions, provide health education, and counsel families on healthy lifestyles.
PNP-PC programs focus on developing the clinical skills needed to meet the specialized physiologic, psychological, social, and developmental needs of children. The curriculum also provides specialized training in health promotion, risk reduction, and disease prevention techniques to reduce illness and improve children’s wellness.
DNP Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is a practice-based doctoral degree that prepares nurses to provide leadership and expertise in clinical practice. The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) DNP prepares nurses to assume roles of increasing responsibility in clinical care, education, research and health policy. While not required for PNPs at entry level, the DNP will better prepare pediatric nurse practitioners for advancement to administrative roles or faculty positions.
Online PNP Programs
Online nursing programs are a great option for professional nurses who want to earn an advanced degree but have a full-time job or other responsibilities that make attending a traditional on-campus program difficult. Online pediatric nurse practitioner programs offer the same high-quality education as programs taken on campus, but allow nurses to complete the degree at their own pace and around their own schedule – without interrupting their career.
Blended and Hybrid PNP Programs
Colleges and universities are increasingly offering “blended” or “hybrid” course formats that facilitate flexible learning. Blended and hybrid courses replace some traditional face-to-face instruction with online learning (online discussions, video lectures, and clinical simulations). Students in a blended PNP program may attend onsite course immersions and work with members of the faculty to set up clinical learning experiences within the program’s network of clinical partners in the surrounding community.
Pediatric NP Admission Requirements
Admissions requirements for pediatric nurse practitioner programs vary by school. Students should expect a challenging admissions process that includes a review of the student’s academic history, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and interview. Some programs may also require that students have a certain amount of pediatric nursing experience and prerequisite coursework.
The admissions criteria for PNP programs generally include the following:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an ACEN or CCNE accredited college or university
- Cumulative scholastic GPA of at least 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Evidence of a current, unencumbered nursing license
- Minimum of one year of full-time experience as a registered nurse
- Letters of recommendation (both professional and academic references)
- Official transcripts from all previous colleges and universities attended
- Personal statement and at least one letter of recommendation specific
- Personal statement of goals and objectives
- Interview with program faculty
- Clinical experience as a pediatric nurse (minimum of 1,000 hours)
- CPR and AED certification
- Satisfactory TOEFL score if English is not the applicant’s first/primary language
Helpful Links
How to Choose a PNP Program
If you are ready to explore pediatric nurse practitioner programs, there are several important questions that you should consider in order to make the best decision for your career. Additionally, you should have a general idea of where you want to work after completing the program and contact schools directly for more information about their specific curriculum, faculty, and clinical affiliations.
Questions to Consider When Choosing a PNP Program
Is the PNP program accredited by one of the national accrediting organizations?
Accreditation is an indication of program quality and should be a key consideration when selecting a school. The accrediting bodies that accredit PNP programs include the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
What is the certification pass rate for students in the program?
The certification exam is a rigorous and competitive process through which pediatric nurse practitioner candidates must demonstrate their knowledge of pediatric nursing principles. Knowing the first-time and overall pass rate for students in the program can provide assurance that the program is teaching the necessary content and preparing students for success on the exam.
How many years of experience do faculty members have in pediatric nurse practitioner roles?
Searching for faculty with pediatric nurse practitioner experience can help ensure that the program curriculum will adequately prepare you to meet your career goals. The more years of clinical experience a faculty member has in pediatric nursing, the more relevant their content knowledge and teaching methods will be to students.
Additionally, if your lead faculty member is certified in the role and population (acute or primary care) that you wish to work with, they can also provide guidance and support during the clinical portion of the program.
What degree is awarded at the end of the program?
Although many students know they want to become pediatric nurse practitioners, they may not be aware of the different degree options that are available. A PNP program can lead to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or a post-graduate certificate. Knowing the degree awarded can help you better understand the commitment level and time frame of the program.
Where do clinical placements take place and how are they determined?
Clinical placements are an important component of any nursing program and can provide students with valuable hands-on experience. When exploring potential schools, be sure to inquire about the locations and types of clinical placements that are available. Are there opportunities to work with particular pediatric populations or health care organizations, such as children’s hospitals? Additionally, ask how placements are determined and how often they are rotated.
How is the curriculum delivered, and is there an option for online coursework?
Many students want the flexibility to balance work, family, and school obligations. Therefore, it is important to know what options are available for course delivery. Does the school offer on-campus courses or online education? Are there evening or weekend classes available? Which method will work best for your lifestyle and learning preferences.
List of PNCP Recognized Programs
The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) is the largest and most active professional association and certification organization for pediatric nurse practitioners. It provides certification, professional development, continuing education, and resources for nurses working in pediatric healthcare settings.
Programs recognized by the PNCB are in compliance with the APRN Consensus Model and have documented key requirements about the school’s program with the PNCB. These requirements are important indicators of program quality and should be a key consideration when selecting a school.
| SCHOOL NAME | CITY | STATE | WEBSITE |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham | AL | uab.edu |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile | AL | southalabama.edu |
| University of Arkansas | Little Rock | AR | nursing.uams.edu |
| Arizona State University | Phoenix | AZ | nursingandhealth.asu.edu |
| The University of Arizona | Tucson | AZ | nursing.arizona.edu |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa | CA | apu.edu |
| Brandman University | Irvine | CA | umassglobal.edu |
| Loma Linda University | Loma Linda | CA | nursing.llu.edu |
| California State University, Long Beach | Long Beach | CA | csulb.edu |
| University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles | CA | nursing.ucla.edu |
| University of San Diego | San Diego | CA | sandiego.edu |
| University of California, San Francisco | San Francisco | CA | nursing.ucsf.edu |
| University of Colorado | Aurora | CO | nursing.cuanschutz.edu |
| Yale University | West Haven | CT | nurisng.yale.edu |
| Catholic University of America | Washington | DC | nursing.catholic.edu |
| University of Florida | Gainesville | FL | nursing.ufl.edu |
| Florida International University | Miami | FL | cnhs.fiu.edu |
| University of South Florida | Tampa | FL | health.usf.edu |
| Emory University | Atlanta | GA | nursing.emory.edu |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta | GA | lewis.gsu.edu |
| Augusta University/Georgia Regents Univ | Augusta | GA | augusta.edu |
| University of Iowa | Iowa City | IA | nursing.uiowa.edu |
| Rush University | Chicago | IL | rushu.rush.edu |
| University of Illinois at Chicago | Chicago | IL | nursing.uic.edu |
| Indiana University | Indianapolis | IN | nursing.iupui.edu |
| Purdue University | West Lafayette | IN | purdue.edu |
| University of Kentucky | Lexington | KY | uky.edu |
| Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights | KY | nku.edu |
| Grambling State University | Grambling | LA | gram.edu |
| Louisiana State University Health Science Center | New Orleans | LA | nursing.lsuhsc.edu |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana | Shreveport | LA | nsula.edu |
| Northeastern University | Boston | MA | northeastern.edu |
| MGH Institute of Health Professions | Boston | MA | mghihp.edu |
| Boston College | Chestnut Hill | MA | bc.edu |
| Regis College | Weston | MA | regiscollege.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore | MD | nursing.jhu.edu |
| University of Maryland | Baltimore | MD | nursing.umaryland.edu |
| University of Michigan | Ann Arbor | MI | nursing.umich.edu |
| Wayne State University | Detroit | MI | nurisng.wayne.edu |
| Grand Valley State University | Grand Rapids | MI | gvsu.edu |
| University of Minnesota | Minneapolis | MN | nursing.umn.edu |
| Walden University | Minneapolis | MN | waldenu.edu |
| St. Catherine University | St. Paul | MN | stkate.edu |
| University of Missouri – Columbia | Chesterfield | MO | missouri.edu |
| University of Missouri – Kansas City | Kansas City | MO | sonhs.umkc.edu |
| Saint Louis University | St. Louis | MO | slu.edu |
| University of Missouri – St Louis | St. Louis | MO | umsl.edu |
| Maryville University | St. Louis | MO | maryville.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill | NC | nursing.unc.edu |
| Duke University | Durham | NC | nursing.duke.com |
| Creighton University | Omaha | NE | catalog.creighton.edu |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center | Omaha | NE | unmc.edu |
| Rutgers University | Newark | NJ | nursing.rutgers.edu |
| University of New Mexico | Albuquerque | NM | hsc.unm.edu |
| University of Nevada, Reno | Reno | NV | unr.edu |
| Columbia University | New York | NY | nursing.columbia.edu |
| New York University | New York | NY | nursing.nyu.edu |
| University of Rochester | Rochester | NY | son.rochester.edu |
| Molloy College | Rockville Centre | NY | molloy.edu |
| Stony Brook University | Stony Brook | NY | nursing.stonybrookmedicine.edu |
| Upstate Medical University | Syracuse | NY | upstate.edu |
| University of Akron | Akron | OH | uakron.edu |
| Cedarville University | Cedarville | OH | cedarville.edu |
| University of Cincinnati College of Nursing | Cincinnati | OH | nursing.uc.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland | OH | case.edu |
| Ohio State University | Columbus | OH | nursing.osu.edu |
| Wright State University | Dayton | OH | wright.edu |
| Kent State University | Kent | OH | kent.edu |
| University of Toledo, College of Nursing | Toledo | OH | utoledo.edu |
| Gwynedd Mercy University | Gwynedd Valley | PA | gmercyu.edu |
| Drexel University | Philadelphia | PA | drexel.edu |
| Thomas Jefferson University | Philadelphia | PA | jefferson.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | PA | nursing.upenn.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh | PA | nursing.pitt.edu |
| Villanova University College of Nursing | Villanova | PA | villanova.edu |
| Medical University of South Carolina | Charleston | SC | nursing.musc.edu |
| South Dakota State University | Brookings | SD | sdstate.edu |
| Tennessee Tech | Cookeville | TN | tntech.edu |
| Union University | Germantown | TN | uu.edu |
| King University | Knoxville | TN | king.edu |
| University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Knoxville | TN | nursing.utk.edu |
| University of Tennessee, Memphis | Memphis | TN | uthsc.edu |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | TN | nursing.vanderbilt.edu |
| University of Texas at Arlington | Arlington | TX | uta.edu |
| The University of Texas at Austin | Austin | TX | nursing.utexas.edu |
| Texas Woman’s University – College of Nursing | Dallas | TX | twu.edu |
| University of Texas at El Paso | El Paso | TX | utep.edu |
| Houston Baptist University | Houston | TX | onlinenursing.hbu.edu |
| Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | Lubbock | TX | ttuhsc.edu |
| University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio | San Antonio | TX | uthscsa.edu |
| University of Virginia | Charlottesville | VA | nursing.virginia.edu |
| Old Dominion University | Norfolk | VA | odu.edu |
| University of Utah | Salt Lake City | UT | nursing.utah.edu |
| University of Washington | Seattle | WA | nursing.uw.edu |
| West Virginia University | Morgantown | WV | nursing.wvu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | Madison | WI | nursing.wisc.edu |
| Marquette University | Milwaukee | WI | marquette.edu |
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs FAQ
The path to becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner is not a quick or easy one. It generally takes about six years to complete the necessary education, experience, and license requirements. This includes obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and passing the certification exam.
Full-time pediatric nurse practitioner programs generally take two to three years to complete. However, many schools offer accelerated programs that can be completed in less than two years. Students who have already earned a post-graduate degree in a related NP specialty may earn a post-graduate PNP certificate that is shorter in length than a full-time program.
Pediatric nurse practitioners are in high demand and can find employment in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, and private practice. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) reports that the demand for PNPs is constantly growing due to the increasing number of children with chronic health conditions, and the increased focus on preventive care. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the overall employment of nurse practitioners will grow by an astounding 45 percent through the year 2030.
