You’re a rock star among kids, the RN that every parent wants to talk to, and you’re looking for the next challenge. It’s time to become a PNP. If you’re already set on earning a clinical doctorate, skip ahead to our program listings. But if you’d like some background on the job, a list of PNP certification requirements, and tips on what to expect from a DNP curriculum, read on!
Becoming a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
The Modern Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric nurse practitioners – known in the nursing world as PNPs – provide comprehensive care to kids aged 21 and younger. From newborns to toddlers to adolescents, PNPs tackle a complex range of childhood health issues. Every day, they help prevent or treat pediatric illnesses, manage chronic conditions and infections, and counsel families on health and wellness. It’s known as a hands-on job. The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) reports that “PNPs and other pediatric advanced practice nurses (APRNs) spend significant one-on-one time with patients and families to answer their questions and discuss any concerns they may have.”
PNPs are split into two groups. PC PNPs work in primary care environments (e.g. doctors’ offices, healthcare clinics, schools, etc.) and AC PNPs work in acute care environments (e.g. hospitals, ERs, homecare settings, etc.). PC PNPs are often responsible for administering immunizations, performing physicals or developmental screenings, visiting homes and communities, and even prescribing medication. AC PNPs tend to deal with patients who have complex acute, critical, and chronic health conditions. They may be in charge of monitoring and managing intensive therapies and handling urgent health crises. Both PC PNPs and AC PNPs work under the supervision of a practicing physician.
PNP Certification Requirements
In order to practice as a PNP, you must complete a master’s degree or DNP in nursing with a pediatric nurse practitioner focus. Most employers and states also require board certification from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), which awards Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (CPNP-AC ) and Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care (CPNP-PC) credentials.
Check with your State Board of Nursing to ensure you are earning the appropriate certification. DNP programs should clearly state that they are accredited and able to prepare you for PNP certification exams. If you can’t find the information on the program website, ask the school for its pass rates.
CPNP-PC Requirements
- Hold a current, active RN license.
- Earn a master’s, post-master’s qualification, or DNP from a pediatric primary care nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
- Complete a minimum of 500 supervised direct care clinical practice hours in primary care pediatrics.
- Complete graduate-level courses in advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology.
- Pass the CPNP-PC exam administered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).
- Maintain your certification & licensure through continuing education.
CPNP-AC Requirements
- Hold a current, active RN license.
- Earn a master’s, post-master’s qualification, or DNP from a pediatric acure care nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
- Complete a minimum of 500 supervised direct care clinical practice hours in acute care pediatrics (PNCB strongly recommends 600 hours).
- Complete graduate-level courses in advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology.
- Pass the CPNP-AC exam administered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).
- Maintain your certification & licensure through continuing education.
Helpful Professional Organizations
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
- Association of Faculties of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (AFPNP)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses (APON)
- National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)
- Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)
- Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN)
The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner DNP
Typical DNP-PNP Curriculum
Most PNP programs are listed as “graduate tracks” or “concentrations” in DNP degrees. In other words, you start by taking general APRN courses and gradually concentrate on pediatrics. Since children have different health issues than adults, a DNP PNP must prepare you for complicated problems in a range of healthcare environments. Look for programs that take into account the roles that family, community, and cultures play in children’s health.
Above all, a good DNP curriculum should focus on core PNP competencies. For instance, in order to qualify for CPNP certification, you must complete courses in advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology. You may also find yourself taking classes in evidence-based practice, theory and research, leadership and systems management, healthcare policy, and other areas laid out in AACN Competencies. These courses are intended to prepare you to be an expert practitioner and nursing leader in pediatric care.
Unsurprisingly, your DNP capstone project and clinical practice hours will play a huge part in your training. To prepare you for real-life scenarios, schools often mix skills labs and simulations with supervised clinical experiences in hospitals, homes, and primary care settings. Try to stretch your boundaries into unfamiliar territories (e.g. rural areas, underserved cities, etc.). Working with vulnerable populations, the chronically ill, and kids of all ages during this time will serve you well after graduation.
Experience Requirements
Experience requirements for DNP programs vary. Depending on your area of interest, schools may ask you to have at least one year of experience in acute care or primary care. For AC PNPs, this might include work in an ER, ICU, inpatient unit, surgical unit, or pediatric post-anesthesia unit. Aspiring PC PNPs could consider practicing as a school nurse, pediatric office nurse, or a subspecialty clinic nurse. You may also be required to be Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certified or complete certification in your specialty area. Schools often recommend that you spend some time shadowing an APRN in your field before you decide on pursuing a DNP.
Examples of DNP-PNP Capstone Projects
- The Evaluation of a Depression Screening Protocol in a Pediatric Primary Care Office (Ohio State University)
- Integrating Preventive Dental Care in a Pediatric Oncology Center (New York University)
- Screening for Vitamin D Deficiency in Children with Epilepsy: Improving Adherence to AAP Clinical Guidelines (Medical University of South Carolina)
DNP Programs with a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Focus (DNP-PNP)
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DNP-PNP Programs in Alabama
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Accreditation: CCNE
The University of Alabama at Birmingham has BSN to DNP tracks in Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Both programs are designed for nurses who want to continue to hold a professional job while working toward their advanced degree. The program uses a part-time, distance accessible format, and all students are required to attend an on-campus intensive annually. The program spans ten semesters, with the final semester dedicated to finishing the DNP project in which candidates translate evidence into practice. During their third year, pediatric nursing majors spend three semesters in advanced nursing practicums. They gain hands-on experience using what they have learned in the classroom while caring for young patients and working in the PNP role.
University of South Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Accreditation: CCNE
University of South Alabama College of Nursing specializes in specialization. Applicants can apply for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner tracks in either Primary or Acute Care. Additionally, they can add a subspecialty in Advanced Forensic Nursing Care or Nursing Education, which add 9 and 11 units to their program, respectively. Both pediatric nursing tracks are conducted online, though students must come to Mobile for an intensive. For their 1,140 supervised hours, enrollees can choose from existing clinical sites near their residence or locate a new practice site. Both tracks mandate 69 credits for BSN-DNP enrollees (60 for MSN-DNP students without a pediatric specialty), which includes three pediatric practicums and three residencies connected to the DNP project. DNP core courses cover healthcare finance, organizational leadership, quality improvement, and decision-making.
DNP-PNP Programs in Arizona
Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona
Accreditation: CCNE
The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner track of Arizona State's DNP program uses a hybrid format. That means that students come to campus for orientation week and two or three times each term but do the rest online. Students can usually complete clinicals near where they live. If that's not possible, they'll come to the Phoenix area, where the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation is. Either way, the college encourages students to get experience in rural healthcare. The program itself is 84 credits, with 34 in the concentration. Concentration credits are split into courses and practicums covering child development, common medical problems in children, and complex or chronic problems. Enrollees wrap up their learning with a clinical residency, which counts toward their 1,125 practicum hours. The curriculum includes six elective credits, allowing students to explore topics from a dozen other graduate programs at the College of Nursing.
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Accreditation: CCNE
With full-time and part-time options, the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner specialty from UA College of Nursing is fairly flexible. Once enrolled, however, students will need to stick to the schedule, as classes are only offered once per year. By graduation, they'll have finished 64 credits in the mostly online program. Outside of distance learning, students should plan to be in Tucson for a few days each August for the Resident Intensive Summer Experience (RISE). The program also encourages DNP enrollees to get further afield, offering a Rural Health Certificate that requires them to commit some of their 720 clinical practicum hours to remote clinics. Alternatively, students can opt for the Rural Telehealth certificate. DNP students can defray some of their college costs by applying for the UA Fellows Program; the Arizona Nursing Inclusive Excellence award is reserved for nurses from underrepresented backgrounds.
DNP-PNP Programs in Arkansas
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, Arkansas
Accreditation: CCNE
Post-BSN to DNP - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
Post-BSN to DNP - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
The College of Nursing at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences has two pediatric options in its DNP program. Students can select the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care track or the PNP-Acute Care track. Students entering both tracks start the DNP program in August. Nurses with a BSN can qualify for the PNP certification exam upon graduation. Nurses with an MSN and a different APRN specialty are welcome to enter the program to add PNP certification to their qualifications. Instead of a DNP project, UAMS uses a DNP Practicum, with a minimum of 540 hours of direct or indirect care. Candidates may use the time for a mentored practicum in a specialty they are interested in or apply the time to a project involving quality improvement, program evaluation, or the use of research.
DNP-PNP Programs in California
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, California
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN to DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner[MSN required]
The Loma Linda University School of Nursing has a BSN to DNP program that prepares RNs as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Graduates have the skills to care for patients up to 18 years of age, with a focus on preventive care. Aside from clinical skills, pediatric nurses gain experience in providing counseling to families, collaborating with other health care professionals, and using data and evidence to make decisions. Students can enter the BSN to DNP program in the fall or winter quarter. The program is designed to accommodate the schedule of nurses who want to continue to work while seeking an advanced degree.
University of San Diego
San Diego, California
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN to DNP - Dual Pediatric / Family Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
The University of San Diego's BSN to DNP program has a track leading to a dual major in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner/Family Nurse Practitioner. This combination of specialties prepares nurses to care for infants, children, adolescents, and their families. The FNP portion of the program also focuses on care across the lifespan. The dual concentration prepares nurses to care for patients from vulnerable populations, and graduates are eligible to take the national exams for certification as both a PNP and an FNP. The curriculum requires 81 credits, including 36 credits in the FNP/PNP specialty classes and a DNP practice project. Recent pediatric DNP practice projects have covered topics such as increasing screening for type 2 diabetes in children and reducing emergency room visits for children with asthma.
DNP-PNP Programs in Colorado
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
Denver, Colorado
Accreditation: CCNE
At the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, BSN to DNP students who want to treat young patients can choose from the Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner track or the Primary Care Pediatric NP track. Both programs use an online format, but students must come to campus once a month for some courses. Students must also complete clinical hours in the pediatric specialty - 540 hours for primary care students and 585 hours for acute care students. The College of Nursing arranges clinical placements for students who live in the Denver metro area, and students who live outside the areas must find preceptors and clinical sites on their own. BSN to DNP students can complete either pediatric track in 13 terms.
DNP-PNP Programs in Florida
Florida International University
Miami, Florida
Accreditation: CCNE
The BSN-DNP Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track at Florida International University is a 10-semester program comprising 77 credits. Halfway through the program, students earn an MSN and can sit for APN certification before moving on to doctoral coursework. An MSN-DNP program is operated separately by FIU Online and requires a pediatric nurse practitioner specialty for admission. That's a 36-credit program with fall and spring cohort starts. The Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Science promotes a curriculum that can put graduates in clinical care or help them advance into leadership or research.
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Accreditation: CCNE
The Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner DNP tracks at UF College of Nursing are made for Florida-based RNs with a BSN. Though online, the programs require three campus visits and a willingness to complete practicums in the Sunshine State. Students in both tracks devote 76 units to topics like health promotion, healthcare finance, informatics, system leadership, and quality improvement. Of course, they also complete clinicals and a DNP project. One difference in the programs is the type of clinical experiences enrollees receive: Acute Care students will get to know the UF Health Shands Hospital intimately, while Primary Care students move between rural and urban clinical sites. All applicants need RN licensure, a 3.0 GPA, a 153 on the verbal section of the GRE, and a 144 on the quantitative section. ARNPs specializing in pediatric care can apply to the 35-credit MSN-DNP program.
University of South Florida-Main Campus
Tampa, Florida
Pediatric Health Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
The MS-DNP at USF College of Nursing requires completing at least 30 credits and a year of full-time study. In that span, students finish a practicum, a project, and courses in informatics, statistics, healthcare policy, quality improvement, leadership, and epidemiology. The BS-DNP, of course, is more expansive. It's a 7- to 8-semester program, though it's standard for students to take the part-time plan for 10 to 13 terms. For BSN nurses, the Pediatric Health concentration requires 75 credits and includes additional work in healthcare systems, diagnostics, pharmacology, children's primary care, and other topics. Regardless of their entry pathway, students need a Florida RN license. Additionally, though the program is geared toward working RNs, enrollees should prepare to be on campus regularly for classes, labs, and clinicals. Students enrolled in at least nine units can apply for a graduate teaching or research assistantship to help cover costs.
DNP-PNP Programs in Georgia
Augusta University
Augusta, Georgia
Accreditation: CCNE
Post BSN DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner concentration at Augusta University comes in two forms: a full-time plan spanning 8 terms and a part-time plan of 11 terms. In both formats, the 77-credit hybrid program involves mostly didactic course in the first year, so students may be able to mix work and studies toward the beginning. They'll need to have Georgia RN licensure for the practicums, meaning that, although most coursework is online, the program is primarily aimed at Georgians and their South Carolina neighbors. The curriculum focuses on vulnerable populations throughout and the theme is woven into practicums on health promotion, acute health problems, and chronic health problems. Practicing pediatric nurse practitioners with an MSN can earn their DNP by completing 37 credits. All students need a 3.0 GPA to get in - but not GRE results. The program prefers students to have a year of RN experience before taking their first clinical.
DNP-PNP Programs in Illinois
Rush University
Chicago, Illinois
Accreditation: CCNE
Pediatric - Acute Care (DNP)[BSN to DNP option]
Pediatric - Clinical Nurse Specialist[BSN to DNP option]
Pediatric - Primary Care (DNP)[BSN to DNP option]
Applicants to Rush University may be attracted by the range of options within the Department of Women, Children and Family Nursing. Pediatric nurses can apply to either the Pediatric Acute Care or Pediatric Primary Care tracks of its DNP program.The former is a part-time, online program that explores how to provide critical care in the home, the ambulance, and the hospital. The latter, which is also part-time and online, produces graduates that can work in emergency care but can also work in pediatrician offices and school clinics. Yet another option is the Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist track, another part-time, online program, which emphasizes best practices and organizational leadership within primary care. Students in all tracks get some exposure to primary pediatric, acute pediatric, and general nurse practitioner care across 1,000+ clinical hours. Locals complete those at Rush University Medical Center or elsewhere in Chicagoland.
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Pediatric nurses in the rural Midwest may want to consider UIC College of Nursing's hybrid DNP program. That's because the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner tracks for Acute Care and Primary Care both allow for a Rural Nursing concentration, which might appeal to students at the Peoria, Quad Cities, Rockford, Springfield, or Urbana campuses. Of course, since UIC's main campus is in the heart of Chicago, there's no shortage of urban clinical sites either. Students in the 81-credit Acute Care track take practicums focused on acute, chronic, and critical illnesses in children as well as a practicum and project that synthesize all they've learned. The 77-credit Primary Care track is similar but removes the emphasis on critical illness. The Department of Women, Children and Family Health Science accepts candidates with an RN license and a bachelor's in any field. Anyone with an undergraduate GPA lower than 3.25 must also submit GRE scores.
DNP-PNP Programs in Indiana
Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana
Accreditation: CCNE
Purdue University's BSN to DNP program offers a concentration in Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner that requires 76 credits. Students get a solid foundation in theory, advanced practice nursing skills, and health systems policy and finances before they begin taking classes that directly address the pediatric population. Courses in the specialty track include health promotion in pediatric populations and acute and chronic illness in children. Some courses may be offered in an online or hybrid format, while others require on-campus meetings. Some clinical preceptorships involve working with interdisciplinary teams treating patients in underserved rural or urban communities. Students also have the option to take cognate courses in a subspecialty such as rural health, quality improvement, practice design and management, or public health.
DNP-PNP Programs in Iowa
Allen College
Waterloo, Iowa
Accreditation: CCNE
The DNP in Pediatric NP at Allen College has an acute care focus and prepares nurses to care for children suffering from acute, critical, or chronic illnesses. AC-PNPs also coordinate interdisciplinary care and assist families. Graduates are eligible for the national certification exam and can work in settings such as hospitals, pediatric emergency departments, and pediatric intensive care units. In addition to taking DNP core classes and the specialty pediatric nursing classes, all candidates must complete a DNP clinical scholarship project. For the project, students must integrate what they have learned by implementing an organizational change at the system level. Students may be able to perform their clinical hours through one of Allen's dedicated education clinics.
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
Accreditation: CCNE
DNP program enrollees at University of Iowa College of Nursing have a lot of options. They can choose between Pediatric Nurse Practitioner tracks in Acute Care and Primary Care. But they can also combine them into a dual certification program. Primary care students can even pursue a dual specialty in mental health. On its own, the Acute Care program is 75 credits and can be taken in a three- or four-year format. The Primary Care puts 77 credits into the same time span. Students who pursue both certifications take 95 credits, with 1,720 of those coming in the form of practicums and other hands-on practice. Post-MSN versions of the Acute and Primary Care specialties come in two- and three-year formats and take 43 to 44 credits to complete. Though most of the program is online, students must complete clinical requirements within Iowa.
DNP-PNP Programs in Kentucky
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Accreditation: CCNE
UK College of Nursing offers a BSN-DNP Pediatric Nurse Practitioner specialty for working RNs. When applying, prospective students choose between a Primary Care and Acute Care focus. Both require 74 credits and 1,020 clinical hours. The curriculums are identical for the first year, with students branching off into specialty-specific clinicals in their second year. Much of their third year is devoted to a DNP project. The hybrid program is available in three-, four-, and five-year course plans, so students should be able to continue working as RNs if they choose. For those who don't, the College of Nursing offers some teaching and research assistantships. The Teresa Ann Free Nurse Practitioner Scholarship is reserved for DNP students in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner track, while several other awards go to DNP students in any track.
DNP-PNP Programs in Louisiana
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN to DNP - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
BSN to DNP - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans has a variety of DNP programs for nurses who want to study pediatric health. The BSN to DNP program has tracks in Pediatric Acute Care NP, Pediatric Primary Care NP, and a dual concentration in both roles. The single-focus concentrations require 90 credits, and full-time students can earn a degree in nine semesters. Graduates are eligible to take the appropriate PNP certification exam. LSU Health also has post-master's DNP programs with an option for a nurse who is already a certified PNP and a program that allows APRNs to add a new role in pediatric primary or acute care. Students may add coursework in advanced emergency, nephrology, or oncology nursing to a pediatric concentration.
DNP-PNP Programs in Maryland
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland
Accreditation: CCNE
Johns Hopkins University has several DNP options for nurses who want to serve the pediatric population. There are two Nurse Practitioner tracks - Pediatric Primary Care NP and Pediatric Dual Primary/Acute Care NP - as well as a Clinical Nurse Specialist option, Pediatric Critical Care CNS. All the pediatric tracks combine online coursework with immersions that meet at the Johns Hopkins campus in Baltimore. Students who relocate to Baltimore can work their clinical experiences through the Johns Hopkins network of partners, and distance students can work clinicals near their home. Graduates are qualified to take the NP or CNS certification exam in their pediatric specialty. Recent DNP projects by pediatrics students have investigated topics such as middle school knowledge of nutrition and the effectiveness of an after-school wellness program.
University of Maryland-Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland
University of Maryland School of Nursing focuses on accessibility for its DNP programs. The Acute Care and Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner tracks mix online and on-campus work and allow enrollees to choose between three-, four-, and five-year study plans. Moreover, the school partners with clinical sites up and down the Atlantic seaboard, so enrollees can complete their 1,080 practicum hours anywhere from DC to Delaware. Nurses in the pediatric tracks take some clinical courses with students in the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner track, part of the school's interdisciplinary approach. The school asks applicants to have one year in pediatric nursing; Acute Care applicants should have a year working with children in critical care. The credit requirements top out at 80 for students entering with a BSN. Applicants with a health-related master's but no advanced practice specialty may be able to skip some courses as they work toward becoming APRNs.
DNP-PNP Programs in Massachusetts
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Accreditation: CCNE
Direct Entry DNP - Pediatric Primary Care[MSN required]
Post-Baccalaureate DNP - Pediatric Primary Care[BSN to DNP option]
Post-Master's DNP - Pediatric Primary Care[MSN required]
RN to DNP - Pediatric Primary Care[BSN to DNP option]
Nurses with a range of education and experience can earn a DNP in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Boston College. Pathways are available for working nurses, whether they have an associate degree, BSN, or MSN. There's also a direct entry program for individuals with a bachelor's degree in another field who want to become a Primary Care Pediatric DNP. Requirements and time to graduation vary depending upon the entry path. The Connell School of Nursing partners with clinics and agencies around Boston, so students may have clinical rotations in sites such as Boston Children's Hospital or the Boston Public Health Commission. Graduates can take the national certification exam for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and 95% of the most recent graduating class passed on the first attempt.
Regis College
Weston, Massachusetts
Accreditation: ACEN
Students in the BSN to DNP program at Regis College can earn a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner DNP at the campus in Weston, Massachusetts, or online. The program takes ten semesters, and students can earn the degree in 40 months. The Young School of Nursing at Regis College emphasizes preparing graduates to take the theory learned in the classroom and evidence from research and apply it to improve the quality of health care. The curriculum devotes four courses to the DNP project in which students complete a scholarly project translating evidence to practice. The plan of study is arranged so that students have finished all other coursework by the final two semesters and can dedicate their time to the scholarly project.
DNP-PNP Programs in Michigan
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan
Accreditation: CCNE
Grand Valley State University has a BSN to DNP program that prepares nurses for advanced practice in the child/adolescent specialty. Classes in the pediatric concentration cover topics such as developmental health in children, common childhood health problems, complex health problems in children and adolescents, and health promotion and risk management in children. Pediatric nursing majors also take core DNP classes covering topics such as health care policy, leadership roles, health care informatics, and scholarly inquiry. Many courses use a hybrid form, with in-person meetings in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Nurses with a BSN can earn a degree with about 75 credits and 1,035 hours in clinical practicums and immersion experiences. Graduates have clinical and leadership skills that qualify them for a variety of health care roles.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN to DNP - Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
BSN to DNP - Nurse-Midwifery and Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
BSN to DNP - Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
Nurses who want a career that focuses on health care for children can choose from three tracks at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor: Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care Pediatric NP, or a dual track in Nurse-Midwifery and PC-PNP. Students selecting a single-focus PNP track can pick either a three-year or four-year plan of study. The double major is a four-year program. The primary care degree requires 67 credits, the acute care degree requires 77 credits, and the dual degree requires 91 credits. The program begins with foundational classes, then students move into the specialty courses and clinical practice, with the faculty assigning clinical sites based on individual student goals. Some classes are delivered online, but students must come to campus for some instruction.
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN to DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care (PNP-AC)[BSN to DNP option]
BSN to DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care (PNP-PC)[BSN to DNP option]
Wayne State University has BSN to DNP tracks in two pediatric clinical specialties - primary care and acute care. Graduates are eligible to take the certification exam for either Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care or PNP-Primary Care. In either track, students acquire broad foundational knowledge of health care and specialist knowledge in pediatrics. The program focuses on providing care for urban populations and children as a vulnerable population. The BSN to DNP program requires 78 credits, including classes covering theory, research and statistics, advanced practice nursing (pediatric clinical specialty classes), and the DNP core and DNP project. Students gain leadership skills and learn to use clinical research to improve health care.
DNP-PNP Programs in Minnesota
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Accreditation: ACEN
BSN to DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)[BSN to DNP option]
Nurses in the BSN to DNP program at St. Catherine University complete the courses needed for an MSN in Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner in 18 months, enabling them to take the national PNP certification exam in the middle of the program. During the final semesters, candidates take the core DNP courses and perform doctoral clinical practicums where they create and implement the evidence-based study that forms the basis of their culminating DNP project. Full-time students can complete the MSN and DNP in three years. Classes use a hybrid format, including some weekend meetings, with on-site courses held in St. Paul, Minnesota. The curriculum emphasizes the St. Catherine mission of social justice and providing care to vulnerable children in rural and urban locations.
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Accreditation: CCNE
Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist[BSN to DNP option]
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
University of Minnesota's DNP program is for RNs comfortable with taking three years off to charge through a full-time program. However, though they'll need to be in Minneapolis four days a semester, they can take most of their classes online and complete their practicums from almost any state. The Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist track, which is 82 credits, and the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care specialty, which requires 79 credits, share a DNP core. Enrollees take 33 credits during their first year. Their first practicum comes midway through their second year, right around when they begin exploring DNP project options. Students can opt to simultaneously pursue their Master's in Public Health, which adds a year to their studies. All that time in school may be worth it, especially for nurses who win the $20,000 Bentson Scholarship. The Shea, Dempster, and Kuramato scholarships also go to graduate nursing students.
DNP-PNP Programs in Missouri
Maryville University
Saint Louis, Missouri
Accreditation: CCNE
Maryville University has an online BSN to DNP program in Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner that requires 71 credits. Courses in the specialty cover topics such as health promotion in the pediatric population, diagnostic testing and screening, case management, and initiating therapies. Students also take core courses in subjects such as evidence-based practice, epidemiology, and quality and patient safety. They also complete a three-semester clinical inquiry project where they propose an inquiry, implement the plan, analyze the data, and report on the results. Graduates are prepared to apply evidence-based research in their practice and to fill leadership and decision-making roles in the health care industry.
Saint Louis University-Main Campus
Saint Louis, Missouri
Accreditation: CCNE
Saint Louis University has a BSN to DNP program with a track in Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. The online program requires students to travel to the campus four times, starting with a two-day orientation. Students also visit the school for a skills assessment, an introduction to doctoral-level work, and to present their DNP projects. The pediatric nursing curriculum requires 68 credits, and full-time students earn a degree in four years. Early in the program, students take foundational courses, ranging from ethics to advanced practice nursing skills. PNP-specific classes, such as family and child development and clinical studies in nursing children, occur in the middle of the program. Graduates are eligible to take the PNP certification exam.
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, Missouri
Accreditation: CCNE
The University of Missouri-Columbia has an online Doctor of Nursing Practice program that allows students to earn a DNP in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care. Graduates are prepared to provide comprehensive health care from birth through young adulthood. DNPs assess, diagnose, manage, and evaluate care. One focus of the program is managing chronic illness in children. The Sinclair School of Nursing offers this program with a three-year, four-year, and five-year plan of study. Nurses who enter the program with a BSN complete 79 credits and 1,080 clinical hours. Those hours include 750 required for the PNP specialty and 330 that are related to the DNP. Students are responsible for finding a preceptor to oversee their clinical experiences. The online program typically requires only one on-campus visit per year, making it a good choice for working professionals. The Sinclair School of Nursing offers a range of nursing scholarships.
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Accreditation: CCNE
To get in to UMKC's Pediatric Nurse Practitioner track, applicants need a year of recent and relevant clinical nursing experience. If admitted, they'll explore coursework that can take them into acute or primary care roles. That means advanced classes in pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, disease prevention, and disease management. The School of Nursing and Health Studies uses a hybrid format that involves asynchronous classes, synchronous classes on Thursday and Friday, and on-campus residencies linked to clinical requirements. Students can complete practicums near where they live. The 74-credit BSN-DNP program comes in not only part-time (14 semesters) and full-time (11 semesters) formats, but also a fast-track format (10 semesters) for students not maintaining employment during their studies. Post-MSN entry is also available to APRNs looking to add a specialization. Though individualized to the student, the standard plan calls for six semesters of study, during which students complete 31 units.
University of Missouri-St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri
Accreditation: CCNE
The University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Nursing has both acute care and primary care pediatric nursing tracks in the BSN to DNP program. Students can choose a three-year, full-time plan or a four-year, part-time plan. The curriculum mandates 70 credits, with students taking foundational coursework in the early semesters, then transitioning to the pediatric specialty classes for the middle section of the program. As they move into the DNP classes, students shift their focus from individual patient care to a systems-level view. They complete a clinical scholarship project where they seek to advance the nursing profession by translating clinical research into practice. Recent pediatric DNP clinical projects have focused on topics such as increasing adolescent vaccination rates and screening teens for sexually transmitted diseases.
DNP-PNP Programs in Nebraska
Creighton University
Omaha, Nebraska
Pediatric nurses get exposure to urgent and standard care at Creighton University's dual DNP track in Pediatric Primary and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. The program seeks to attract students looking for versatility in their everyday lives as well. For one thing, the BSN-DNP is a hybrid program that requires some forays to Omaha. For another, enrollees can choose between full- and part-time plans. The 70-credit curriculum packs in five practicums - two in acute care, one in emergency care, one in primary care, and one in well-child care - a residency, and a scholarly project. Courses in research and theory, leadership and policy, and DNP role support round out the curriculum. Applicants need to be eligible for a Nebraska RN license and have accrued 2,000 hours in direct pediatric care before starting clinicals. They don't need GRE scores.
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska
Pediatric Primary & Acute Care (Dual) NP[BSN to DNP option]
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
Pediatric nurses entering UNMC College of Nursing in pursuit of a DNP can choose between the Pediatric Primary Care NP track and a dual track that combines Pediatric Primary Care and Acute Primary Care roles. In addition to a DNP core that includes courses in leadership, finance, and policy, the straight Primary Care track includes eight concentration courses - pathophysiology, pharmacology, assessment, health promotion, acute illnesses, chronic illnesses, and the like - and a practicum covering women's and children's health. The dual program adds three courses in acute care pediatric nursing, two of which are offered through a consortium agreement with University of Iowa. The tracks take three to four years to complete, depending on the course plan students select. Thanks to UNMC's five campuses - in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, Norfolk, and Scottsbluff - students can find clinical sites across Nebraska. Applicants need a 3.0 from a completed BSN program to get in.
DNP-PNP Programs in New Jersey
Rutgers University
Newark, New Jersey
Post Baccalaureate DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner DNP at Rutgers is a 68-credit post-baccalaureate program with three- and four-year course plans. With just an extra three credits, students can add an HIV Care certification. Enrollees complete 1,040 clinical hours, 540 of them within the specialty. Those are split into four practicums: one each for health promotion, common and acute illnesses, chronic illnesses, and complex conditions. Other hours are completed in the course of planning, implementing, and presenting a DNP project. The program starts in the fall, and for the first few semesters, students complete foundational coursework in pathophysiology, evidence-based practice, assessment, epidemiology, and other common DNP topics. The second and third years are built around the pediatric specialty, with courses in leadership and healthcare economics peppered in. Rutgers School of Nursing asks applicants to enter with a 3.2 GPA and a New Jersey RN license. All classes are held at the Newark campus.
DNP-PNP Programs in New York
Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, New York
Accreditation: AACN
BSN to DNP - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP)[BSN to DNP option]
Columbia University has a BSN to DNP in Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner that provides nurses with a foundation in theory and scientific knowledge to inform clinical judgment. Coursework includes lectures, simulations, clinical rotations, and a final intensive practicum with a total of 82 credits in core and specialized classes. Pediatrics majors take courses such as pathophysiology of the child, pediatric emergencies, and pediatric physical assessment. Core classes focus on topics such as health promotion, genetics, and evidence-based practice. Pediatric nursing students may be assigned to clinical sites in the tri-state area for their rotations. Possible rotation sites include Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Children's Aid Society, New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, or various pediatric care centers.
Molloy University
Rockville Centre, New York
Accreditation: CCNE
Nurses with an MSN and certification as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner can earn a DNP in the same specialty through Molloy College. The DNP program uses a blended format with onsite classes meeting in the late afternoon or evening. All on-campus courses are scheduled on Thursdays. Students take nine common core classes and complete 500 clinical hours spread over four semesters of residency courses. Classes cover topics such as translational research, leadership, business skills, informatics, and scholarly writing. The School of Nursing and Health Sciences offers the DNP as a three-year program, with courses spread over eight semesters. DNP students can take part in medical mission trips to Jamaica that Molloy sponsors two times a year.
New York University
New York, New York
Accreditation: CCNE
The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner BSN to DNP program at New York University's Rory Meyers College of Nursing uses a variety of delivery formats. The graduate-level and pediatric nursing specialty classes meet face-to-face in the evenings. The advanced leadership DNP classes use an executive hybrid format that combines online lessons with on-site courses that meet for half a day on four Fridays during the semester. The faculty assigns students to clinical placements and preceptors. Candidates can complete an individual or team project for the required DNP scholarly project, with guidance from a faculty mentor, faculty reviewer, and a clinical mentor who works at the clinical site where the project is conducted.
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Accreditation: CCNE
The Child Health Nurse Practitioner track at University at Buffalo is part of the School of Nursing's post-master's DNP program. Because the program format is part-time and online, students can continue working as pediatric nurses wherever they are. The program, which only accepts certified nurses, mandates 200 non-clinical hours for mentor meetings, conferences, and project implementation. Students ideally complete the project at their current workplace. The curriculum is just 36 credits. A foundational core of writing, teaching, healthcare policy, and organizational leadership comprises 11 units. An analytical core is 15 credits - it includes classes in grant writing, research, and informatics. The advanced practice core, which includes non-clinical hours, makes up the final 10 credits. In addition to RN and NP licensure and certification requirements, the School of Nursing looks for candidates with either a 3.5 GPA or strong GRE/MAT scores.
University of Rochester
Rochester, New York
Accreditation: CCNE
Post-BS to DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner/Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (PNP/NNP)[online][BSN to DNP option]
The University of Rochester uses a part-time, hybrid format for its BSN to DNP program. Nurses who want to focus their careers on caring for children can choose from two Nurse Practitioner specialties - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner or a dual focus in PNP and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. The program is offered in a part-time format that allows nurses to continue to work while studying for an advanced degree. During their clinical rotations, candidates can work with the University of Rochester's broad network of physicians and hospitals. Network members include the School of Nursing's school-based health centers that serve students at local public schools and the Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders program at Golisano Children's Hospital.
DNP-PNP Programs in North Carolina
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina
Accreditation: CCNE
Nurses seeking a DNP in pediatrics from Duke University can choose to focus on primary care or acute care of the pediatric population. The program is designed for working nurses who can continue to hold down a job while pursuing an advanced degree. Courses are delivered online, and students travel to campus for orientation and four in-person sessions that span two or three days each and are scheduled throughout the program. Additionally, students can complete the DNP project at their current place of employment. Pediatric NP students can also add a specialty to their degree with additional coursework. Specialties open to pediatric nurses include pediatric behavioral and mental health, oncology, and orthopedics.
DNP-PNP Programs in Ohio
Kent State University at Kent
Kent, Ohio
Accreditation: CCNE
With practice courses on campus and core courses online, the Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track of Kent State's DNP program is accessible for students outside of Ohio. They can complete their practicums in their home state and customize their schedule to start in the spring or fall. They can also accelerate or slow down the full-time format. The 2+2 format means students first take all the master's-level coursework and sit for APRN certification before moving onto doctoral study, which includes four practicums and a final project; they receive an MSN halfway through the program. To get in, applicants should have a 3.0 GPA, an RN license, and a BSN.
Ohio State University-Main Campus
Columbus, Ohio
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN to DNP - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
BSN to DNP - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
BSN-prepared nurses who want to earn both an MSN and a DNP can choose a track in Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner or Primary Care Pediatric NP from Ohio State University. The acute care track prepares nurses to care for acutely ill children, while the primary care concentration prepares graduates for jobs in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, specialty clinics, schools, and community-based primary care facilities. Primary care students may complete their clinical rounds at Nationwide Children's Hospital and private practices around Ohio. Acute care majors may also be assigned clinical rotations at the Cleveland Clinic. Part-time plans of study are available for students who want to continue to hold a job while earning a DNP.
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care[BSN to DNP option]
Two of Cincinnati's DNP programs will be of interest to pediatric nurses with a BSN. The Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner programs both require applicants to have a year of RN experience. Enrollees get more of it in the program - 560 to 616 clinical practicum hours plus several hundred more for the DNP project. The curriculums are designed to be completed in three years of full-time study or four years of part-time work. During the hybrid programs, students come to Cincy for orientation, project defense, and perhaps a few other points in any given semester. For the first five semesters, the Acute Care and Primary Care programs are identical, featuring courses in informatics, biostatistics, writing, patient safety, assessment, policy, and other standard DNP topics. They diverge at the end of the second year, when students begin taking practicums and seminars specific to their specialty.
University of Toledo
Toledo, Ohio
UToledo's College of Nursing offers an on-campus/online BSN-DNP that takes three to five years to complete, depending on students' choice of course plan. To apply for the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner track, pediatric nurses need a 3.0 from a completed BSN program and an Ohio RN license. Coursework is focused around primary care, with core DNP coursework broad in scope to provide an interprofessional slant. For example, enrollees take classes in ethics, cultural diversity, healthcare entrepreneurship, public policy, and quality management. Students complete two practicums in direct care, a doctoral project, and three clinicals: one each in pediatric wellness, common and chronic illnesses, and complex illnesses. It all adds up to 85 credits. One perk is the opportunity to complete mission trips abroad, including to Haiti and Nicaragua.
DNP-PNP Programs in Oregon
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, Oregon
At 111 quarter credits, the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program at OHSU is designed to help RNs get ready for both acute care and primary care certification. The primary care side explores child development, healthy behaviors, and treatment of acute or chronic illnesses. The acute care component place participants in ICUs and emergency departments to work with vulnerable children. Students keep Portland as a home base and are asked to enroll full-time for three years. Locals may be able to take the program via distance education. Students learn the ins and outs of OHSU Hospital but are also prepared to head into clinical and leadership roles in rural Oregon, a focus of the DNP program. In fact, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner students are eligible for a full scholarship via Scholars for a Healthy Oregon if they agree to work in underserved communities in the state after graduation.
DNP-PNP Programs in Pennsylvania
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Accreditation: CCNE
Post-BSN Doctor of Nursing Practice - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Nurses who want to earn an MSN en route to a Doctor of Nursing Practice receive both degrees when they attend the Jefferson College of Nursing. Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner is one of the available options for nurses who have a BSN, and students can complete the master's and doctoral degrees in as few as four years or take up to six years. About midway through the program, students receive their MSN, which enables them to take the certification exam in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. MSN-level classes are mainly online, and DNP-level courses are entirely online. The program includes three practicum classes where students work on their doctoral project, which allows them to apply what they have learned while pursuing a practice inquiry project.
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Accreditation: CCNE
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner[BSN to DNP option]
Pitt leans into affordability: Out-of-state students who choose full-time study can pay in-state tuition rates. Once enrolled, BSN-DNP students in the Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner concentration take 87 credits. Year 1 is stacked with courses in database management, grantsmanship, finance, theory, statistics, pharmacology, and other foundational courses. Students also begin learning research methodologies to prepare for their DNP project, which they'll chip away at for their final two years. Toward the end of their second year, students begin to weave in practicums. Students in the Pediatric program get exposure to some work that would equally be at home in other specialties, including management of psychiatric conditions and family care. Year 3 covers ethics, public policy, informatics, and manuscript writing. The MSN-DNP variation, which is offered either on-site or online, requires 42 credits that can be finished in two years.
DNP-PNP Programs in South Carolina
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Accreditation: COA
The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner DNP at the Medical University of South Carolina has a primary care focus. Graduates have the knowledge and skills to provide well childcare and to manage and prevent common acute and chronic conditions in children. Classes emphasize providing care for children within the context of their family and community. Students also learn about telehealth, mental health, and substance abuse. The program is online with synchronous and asynchronous elements. BSN to DNP students must come to campus seven times during the program, with each visit lasting for two or three days. Students with a BSN can complete the PNP DNP in three years of full-time study or four years of part-time study. The degree requires 75 credits and more than 1,100 clinical hours.
DNP-PNP Programs in Tennessee
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee
Accreditation: CCNE
Nurses who want to earn a DNP in Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner can enroll in an online program that is jointly sponsored by East Tennessee State University and Tennessee Tech. In-person meetings for the program occur at the Tennessee Tech campus in Cookeville. The program has a rural focus and emphasizes interprofessional experiences, leadership skills, and the use of technology to improve health care. Some of the specialized courses include pediatric health care delivery systems, epidemiology of at-risk families, and advanced family systems evaluation. Full-time students begin focusing on the pediatric population in the second semester, taking classes such as health promotion in the growing child and pediatric pharmacotherapeutics.
Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, Tennessee
Accreditation: CCNE
Tennessee Tech hosts a DNP in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program that the university presents in conjunction with East Tennessee State University. The joint program allows students to work with experienced faculty from both institutions and participate in interprofessional experiences. The program uses a blended format with face-to-face meetings on the TTU campus in Cookeville, Tennessee. The on-campus intensives are scheduled two or three times a year. One DNP pathway is for nurses with a BSN, and another is for nurses with an MSN and certification as a PNP. The BSN to DNP pathway requires 89 credits and 1,000 clock hours and prepares nurses for the PNP certification exam. Nurses with an MSN complete 35 credits and 500 clock hours. Both pathways offer full-time and part-time plans of study.
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Memphis, Tennessee
Accreditation: CCNE
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center has two options for nurses who want to work with children. DNP students can concentrate in Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner or Pediatric Acute Care NP. Nurses who enter the program with a BSN can complete either concentration with 59 credits. Graduates are eligible to take the national certification exam for the Nurse Practitioner specialty they studied. Graduates have the skills and knowledge needed to care for children from newborns through late adolescence. To gain expertise in their specialty, students complete supervised clinical experiences. UTHSC has a DNP clinical coordinator who helps the faculty place students with qualified preceptors. Generally, students are assigned clinical placements that require limited travel from their home residence. Students complete three practicum experiences in their population specialty and also complete a DNP synthesis practicum in the role. DNP candidates are also required to complete a scholarly project.
The University of Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN-DNP Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Primary and Dual Track Primary/Acute)[online][BSN to DNP option]
BSN-prepared nurses who want to focus on children can choose from two paths at the University of Tennessee. The College of Nursing trains Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and has a dual program in Acute/Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. The program uses a hybrid format that combines online coursework with visits to the Knoxville campus twice a semester during the pediatric clinical courses. While in Knoxville, students take part in networking events, practice clinical skills in the simulation center, and undergo skills assessments. Some online classes require occasional mandatory synchronous meetings. The program is for full-time students, and primary care PNP students can earn the degree in eight semesters. Dual-specialty students have to complete an additional eight credits, so they attend for an extra semester.
DNP-PNP Programs in Texas
Baylor University
Waco, Texas
Accreditation: CCNE
Individuals seeking a DNP in pediatric care can follow a primary care track or a dual pediatric primary/acute care track at Baylor University. The pediatric primary care track is a 75-credit program that requires 1,125 practicum hours. Nurses who choose the dual concentration must complete another 600 practicum hours and 14 additional credits. Baylor delivers the BSN to DNP coursework online, and students travel to Waco, Texas, for on-campus immersions throughout the program. Nurses who already have an MSN can earn a pediatric care DNP with 31 to 37 credits. The nursing school arranges all clinical rotations and preceptors, freeing students to concentrate on coursework. Baylor's DNP program prepares pediatric nurses who can lead quality improvement by using evidence-based innovation and leadership skills.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
Accreditation: CCNE
BSN to DNP in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care (PNP-PC)[BSN to DNP option]
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio has a three-year program that allows BSN-prepared nurses to become a Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and earn a Doctorate in Nursing Practice. The School of Nursing has partnerships with more than 400 agencies within 60 miles of the university, allowing pediatric nursing majors to gain hands-on experience in a range of clinical settings. For instance, students can work in everything from large hospital systems to rural and migrant clinics serving populations that exemplify health disparities. In addition to courses and clinical hours that specifically address the health needs of children, DNP students take courses in leadership, public policy, health informatics, and scientific inquiry. Pediatrics students enter the program in the fall semester.
DNP-PNP Programs in Virginia
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Accreditation: CCNE
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner: Acute Care[BSN to DNP option]
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner: Primary Care[BSN to DNP option]
UVA School of Nursing uses a 2+2 study plan, which allows post-BSN nurses to get their APRN certification halfway through the program before continuing with doctoral work. Pediatric nurses have two options: the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care track, which leads to certification from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, and the Primary Care track, which leads to PNCB or ANCC certification. The school looks for applicants with two years of RN experience, a 3.5 GPA, national nursing organization membership, clinical certification, and leadership traits. Students can opt to speed up the program and graduate in three years or slow things down for a part-time route. Their decision may depend on funding. To that end, full-time students are eligible for $25,000 a year in forgivable loans for the first half of the program if they agree to teach nursing in Virginia for four years after graduation.
DNP-PNP Programs in Washington
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, Washington
Accreditation: CCNE
DNP - Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist[MSN required]
DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care[MSN required]
DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care[MSN required]
Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist[BSN to DNP option]
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care[BSN to DNP option]
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care[BSN to DNP option]
The UW School of Nursing offers three tracks for aspiring pediatric nurses looking for a DNP. The Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist track is for RNs interested in improving the healthcare system through a combination of clinical care, nurse and patient education, and system modifications. The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care track is about promoting good health and preventing disease at pediatrician offices and standard care settings. Finally, the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Cure track deals with critical and chronic problems encountered in emergency and urgent care units. Students in each track get exposure to concepts in the other two. Year 1 covers a common DNP core of leadership, assessment, healthcare policy, health promotion, quality improvement, and equitable healthcare practices. Year 2 incorporates specialty courses and clinical experiences. During their third year, students synthesize their learning to complete a project. All tracks are full-time only and require online and on-campus study.
DNP-PNP Programs in Wisconsin
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Accreditation: CCNE
Post-Bachelors to DNP - Dual Pediatric Primary and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner[online][BSN to DNP option]
Nurses enrolled in Marquette University's Pediatric Acute Care DNP program complete their clinical training at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, including an entire semester in the pediatric ICU. Students in the Pediatric Primary Care DNP program work their clinical hours in a variety of primary care settings in southeastern Wisconsin, including sites that serve economically disadvantaged patients. Marquette also has a dual pediatric primary/acute care DNP, in which students work 500 clinical hours in primary care settings and 500 hours in the children's hospital. For all majors, the faculty helps students tailor the final residency experience to meet their learning goals. The single role concentrations require 69 credits, and the dual focus program requires 78 credits. The BSN to DNP program uses a combination of in-person and online elements. Students receive an MSN en route to the DNP.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Accreditation: CCNE
The Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner DNP track at UW-Madison is geared toward RNs within commuting distance of the Wisconsin capital. The curriculum uses a hybrid format, with on-campus meetings incorporated into every class. Moreover, the School of Nursing is able to place students at clinical sites throughout Wisconsin and has extensive rural placement options - ideal for pediatric nurses keen on practicing in the Midwest. Alternatively, aspiring teachers can add nine credits and earn their Nurse Educator certificate. Forgivable loans are available via the Nurse Faculty Loan Program for those who do. The post-BS version of the track is 71 credits and can be completed in either three or four years as part of a cohort. The post-MS version is in the range of 32 to 51 credits. All applicants need a year of work experience plus a 3.0 GPA. MS-DNP applicants need a 3.5 GPA and APRN certification.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Maternal/Child Clinical Nurse Specialist[BSN to DNP option]
Pediatrics Clinical Nurse Specialist[BSN to DNP option]
The Pediatrics specialty of UWM's Clinical Nurse Specialist DNP track is a 65-credit program for BSN-holders that can be completed in three to four years of study - with spring starts available for those who don't mind taking an extra semester. The same is true for the Maternal/Infant/Women's Health specialty. Both share a common foundation during the first year and into the second, when students mix biostatistics with outcome management and epidemiology with decision-making. Midway through the program, students begin pursuing specialized practicums and didactic courses in theory. They also start planning their final DNP project. The College of Nursing emphasizes improving access to healthcare for vulnerable populations. That's apparent from its Center for Global Health and Equity, which organizes short-term study abroad programs to countries in Africa, Asia, and elsewhere. As for funding, the Wright Fellowship goes to a first-year doctoral candidate focusing on children's and family health.