Best Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs in Tennessee

UT Knoxville's Pediatric Primary Nurse Practitioner graduate certificate is a hybrid program for APRNs seeking specialized primary care expertise. The curriculum integrates online coursework with mandatory on-campus sessions, covering well-child care, chronic illness management, and family-centered practice. Students complete 840 clinical hours in diverse pediatric settings, applying evidence-based care from birth through adolescence. Admission requires a master's degree in nursing, current APRN certification, and recent prerequisite coursework. The holistic admissions process prioritizes essays; no entrance exam is required. Graduates are prepared for primary care roles in clinics, schools, and community health centers, enhancing pediatric care access across Tennessee.

• Hybrid program format.
• 840 clinical hours required.
• APRN certification needed.
• Master's degree prerequisite.
• Holistic admissions process.
• Mandatory on-site sessions.
• Primary pediatric care focus.
• Prerequisite courses required.
• Competency-based curriculum.
• State licensure considerations.

UT Knoxville's Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certificate prepares APRNs to manage complex, critically ill pediatric patients. This hybrid program blends online coursework with required on-site simulation labs, honing skills in emergency and intensive care. Students complete 840 clinical hours focusing on acute conditions, technological interventions, and interdisciplinary teamwork. Prerequisites in advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment must be current within five years. Admission requires a master's or DNP, RN and APRN licensure, two recommendations, and an essay; no entrance exam is specified. Apply by October 15, 2025 for spring 2026. Graduates are equipped for hospital-based practice in PICU, ED, and specialty units, addressing the demand for acute care pediatric providers.

• Apply by 2025-10-15
• 2 letters of recommendation (minimum)
• 840 clinical hours
• Prerequisite courses required
• Mandatory on-site clinical sessions
• Requires primary care PNP certification
• Gap analysis of previous coursework
• Prerequisites must be within 5 years
• Essay required for admission

UT Knoxville's DNP in Pediatric Primary/Acute Care Dual Nurse Practitioner concentration offers advanced preparation for APRNs seeking dual certification. This hybrid program features synchronous online coursework and on-campus visits twice a semester, with high-fidelity simulation and mentored clinical rotations. The curriculum spans acute, chronic, complex, and critical pediatric conditions across emergency departments, ICUs, and primary care settings. Students gain experience in telehealth and collaborative care, preparing for diverse practice environments. Admission requires a BSN or MSN and RN licensure; no entrance exam is required. U.S. News ranks nurse practitioners #2 among best occupations, highlighting the critical need for pediatric providers. Graduates are poised to achieve dual PNP certification and lead in pediatric healthcare.

• 2 concentration options
• Synchronous online classes
• Hybrid online with on-campus visits twice a semester
• Synchronous online course meetings
• High-fidelity simulation center
• Clinical rotations with mentors
• Dual NP certification in primary/acute care
• Addresses critical PNP shortage
• U.S. News #2 best occupation

UT Knoxville's DNP with a Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner concentration prepares APRNs for comprehensive family-centered care. This hybrid program combines synchronous online learning with on-campus sessions twice a semester, featuring high-fidelity simulation and peer networking. Students complete at least 600 clinical hours under licensed preceptors, with rotations in pediatric practices, school-based health centers, health departments, subspecialty clinics, community agencies, and telehealth. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, health promotion, and disease prevention from birth to young adulthood. Graduates are eligible for CPNP-PC certification and are positioned to address the pediatric provider shortage. No entrance exam is required for admission, and U.S. News lists NP as the #2 best occupation.

• Synchronous online classes
• 600 clinical hours
• Prepares for CPNP-PC
• Hybrid with on-campus visits twice a semester
• Synchronous online class sessions
• Clinical rotations with licensed preceptors
• Eligible for CPNP-PC certification

Tennessee Technological University's Post-Graduate Certificate in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner offers a focused path for nurses with an MSN to specialize in pediatric care. This campus-based program comprises 23 credit hours and 510 clinical hours, with coursework centered on pediatric health assessment and management. Admission requires a master's degree in nursing, current RN licensure, and does not list an entrance exam. Tuition varies by Tennessee residency status, and the program is military-friendly. Building on existing nursing expertise, the certificate prepares graduates for advanced pediatric roles in clinical settings. Offered through the College of Nursing, this certificate is ideal for practicing nurses seeking to expand their scope into pediatric primary care.

• 23 credit hours.
• 510 clinical hours.
• Campus-based program.
• Post-graduate certificate level.
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner focus.
• Requires master's in nursing.
• RN licensure needed.
• College of Nursing department.

The online Doctor of Nursing Practice at Tennessee Tech, with a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care concentration, is jointly offered with East Tennessee State University. This fully online program allows students to complete clinical hours with local preceptors, making it flexible for working RNs. The curriculum spans advanced pediatric assessment, diagnosis, and management, preparing graduates for Advanced Practice licensure. Admission requirements include two years of RN experience, three letters of recommendation, a writing sample, and no entrance exam is listed. With six concentration options and a focus on rural and underserved populations, this DNP pathway equips nurses to become PNPs in clinics, hospitals, and primary care settings. Experienced faculty emphasize real-world clinical problem-solving.

• 6 concentration options
• 3 letters of recommendation (minimum)
• Work experience required
• Fully online program
• Local clinical placements
• Prepares for Advanced Practice licensure
• Flexible course loads
• Joint program with ETSU
• Focuses on care from birth to age 21
• Requires two years RN experience

Tennessee Tech's BSN-to-DNP degree in Nursing Practice with a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care concentration is a hybrid terminal program. It requires 89-92 credit hours, blending core DNP coursework, specialty pediatric training, and a culminating capstone project. Designed for nurses seeking population-specific expertise, the program prepares advanced practice nurses to improve health outcomes for children and families. Graduates are ready for PNP roles in primary care clinics, hospitals, and community health centers. The program does not list a standardized entrance exam among its requirements. With its hybrid format, it offers rigorous academic study alongside clinical practice, leading to eligibility for advanced practice licensure and a career focused on pediatric primary care leadership.

• Capstone required
• 89-92 credit hours total
• Terminal professional degree
• Advanced practice nurse career
• Focus on population-specific care

Vanderbilt University's hybrid MSN in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care equips experienced RNs for high-acuity pediatric settings. The curriculum blends online coursework with on-campus simulation sessions covering advanced assessment and diagnosis. Students complete 560 clinical hours in pediatric ICUs, emergency departments, and specialty clinics, with support from a dedicated placement team. As one of the nation's first PNP-AC programs, it features small cohorts, clinically practicing faculty, and rigorous training. Graduates are prepared for the PNCB certification exam and careers in acute care. Full-time and part-time options accommodate working nurses. A BSN and work experience are required for admission.

• 4-Semester program
• Full-time and part-time options
• 560 clinical hours
• Work experience required
• Prepares for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner–Acute Care exam
• Small cohort size for personalized attention
• Hands-on simulation experiences
• Clinical rotations with experienced preceptors
• Prepares for PNCB certification
• One of the first PNP-AC programs

Vanderbilt University offers a top-ranked MSN with a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care specialty. This hybrid program combines online learning with seven brief on-campus sessions and follows AACN Essentials standards. Students accrue 630 clinical hours in pediatric primary care settings, emphasizing health promotion and family-centered care. Ranked #2 nationally for MSN-level PNP-PC programs, it prepares graduates for CPNP-PC certification. Full-time students finish in four semesters, with part-time plans available. The program boasts low faculty-to-student ratios and assists with clinical placements. Admissions require a BSN or equivalent; a post-master's certificate and BSN-to-DNP pathway are also available.

• Hybrid online/in-person format.
• 630 clinical practice hours.
• Full-time: 4 semesters.
• Part-time plans available.
• Prepares for CPNP-PC certification.
• Low faculty-to-student ratios.
• Clinical placements in preferred areas.
• Focus on pediatric primary care.
• AACN Essentials curriculum.
• Accelerated specialty option.

East Tennessee State University's DNP with a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care concentration, offered jointly with Tennessee Tech University, prepares nurses for advanced pediatric care. This hybrid program accommodates BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP students, requiring 77 credit hours and a capstone project. The curriculum emphasizes well-child care, acute/chronic illness management, health promotion, and family assessment. Clinical practicums provide hands-on experience, and graduates are eligible for the PNP-PC national certification. No entrance exam is specified in the program materials; admission includes work experience and other requirements. Graduates work in pediatric clinics, hospitals, and community health centers, focusing on evidence-based practice and quality outcomes.

• 6 concentration options
• 77 total credit hours
• Work experience required
• Capstone required
• Prepares for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care National Certification
• Joint ETSU-TTU program
• BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP pathways

East Tennessee State University's BSN-to-DNP in Nursing, concentrating on Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care, blends online coursework with on-campus intensives. This 83-credit program requires a 3.0 GPA and prior nursing experience, and includes a DNP project addressing real-world healthcare challenges. Core courses cover advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology, while pediatric tracks focus on health promotion, diagnosis, and clinical management. Designed for working professionals, the program prepares graduates for pediatric nurse practitioner certification and emphasizes care for rural and underserved populations. Entrance exam requirements are not listed; applicants should check with admissions. The joint ETSU-TTU program offers six concentration options and strong interprofessional collaboration.

• 6 concentration options
• 83 total credit hours
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• Work experience required
• BSN-DNP and MSN-DNP pathways
• Includes DNP project
• Core includes advanced health assessment
• Prepares for pediatric primary care
• Rural/underserved population focus
• Joint program with Tennessee Tech

South College offers an online Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, delivered as a post-graduate certificate for nurses holding a graduate degree. The 44-credit curriculum emphasizes primary pediatric care, covering advanced health assessments, pharmacology, and chronic condition management, with clinical practicums and a residency component. Applicants must hold an unencumbered RN license and a master's in nursing; GPA and professional experience are considered. Entrance exam requirements are not specified. The program prepares graduates for national certification, though it is currently not accepting new students. Non-Tennessee residents may face restrictions. Transfer credit is available for up to three courses, and a 3.0 cumulative GPA is required.

• Online program delivery.
• 44 total credits required.
• Post-graduate certificate level.
• Focus on pediatric primary care.
• Includes clinical practicum courses.
• Requires RN license for admission.
• Admission based on GPA review.
• Transfer credit up to 3 courses.
• Program not accepting new students.
• Prepares for national certification exams.