Best Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Programs – 2019

The highly revered and rewarding pediatric nurse practitioner role is a popular choice for nurses who want to make a difference in the health of children. This advanced nursing career can be achieved through a master's or doctoral level pediatric nurse practitioner program, and most allow students to choose between primary or acute pediatric care. With online and campus-based options available, RNs wanting to enter a higher level of nursing practice will find that it is well within reach.

2019 – Best Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs

The field of pediatrics is a particularly rewarding one for advanced practice RNs. Building lasting relationships with children who are ill or injured is just one of the aspects of the role that Pediatric Nurse Practitioners get to enjoy. Choosing the right Pediatric NP program is of great importance, and our rankings of the top online/hybrid Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs help students find their perfect fit.

For more information on our top nursing school rankings, visit our Methodology Page (https://www.registerednursing.org/rankings-methodology/)

^#1

The University of Texas at Arlington

Arlington, TX

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) offers two pathways for prospective pediatric nurse practitioners: one that focuses on acute care, and one that focuses on primary care. The online MSN in Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program requires 45 credits, and takes 31-35 months to complete, while the online MSN in Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program requires 41 credits and can be completed in 29-33 months. No matter the route chosen, UTA's programs utilize experienced instructors and innovative curriculum to prepare nurses for high-level pediatric care.

MSN Programs

• Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

Tuition & Fees:

• $$$$$

Quick Facts:

• No GRE requirement for students with a 3.0 or above
• Public 4-Year
• A few grad programs offered online

^#2

Regis College

Weston, MA

Regis College, based out of Massachusetts, offers an MSN with a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner track for RNs who wish to care for patients from birth to age 21. With a campus-based or online option, students can decide which mode of delivery works for their lives. The program requires 46 total credits and includes core nurse practitioner courses along with specialty pediatrics courses.

MSN Programs

• Pediatrics Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

Tuition & Fees:

• $$$$$

Quick Facts:

• No campus residency or GRE requirements
• Private Non-Profit 4-Year
• Many grad programs available online

^#3

University of South Alabama

Mobile, AL

Mobile's University of South Alabama offers both a Pediatric Acute Care and Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner pathway at the MSN level. These 45 credit-hour programs deliver classes online, but require some mandatory campus-based orientations that include simulation intensives. Clinical rotations can be arranged near the student's home at an approved medical facility. The curriculum for either program includes support courses, MSN core courses, and specialty pediatric courses.

MSN Programs

• Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

Tuition & Fees:

• $$$$$

Quick Facts:

• School has a Hospital Affiliation
• Public 4-Year
• A few grad programs offered online

^#4

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Natchitoches, LA

Natchitoches-based Northwestern State University of Louisiana trains the next generation of Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioners through its MSN specialty program. The curriculum is comprised of 42 total credits, with 720 clinical hours required. Enrolled students take courses in Genomics for Nursing Practice, Family Dynamics, Research in Nursing, and much more. Both part-time and full-time study options are available.

MSN Programs

• Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PCPNP), Campus

Tuition & Fees:

• $$$$$

Quick Facts:

• Public 4-Year
• Many grad programs offered online
• Students can begin courses any semester, but clinical courses only begin in Fall

^#5

University of Mississippi

,

The University of Mississippi offers the state's only MSN Acute/Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner track. Flexible plans of study and 990 hours of clinical practice give students the tools they need to succeed in the world of pediatric care. This dual acute/primary care program requires 58 total credit hours delivered in a hybrid method (both online and in-person). Enrolled students benefit from personalized attention and a low student to faculty ratio.

• Campus

Tuition & Fees:

• $$$$$

Quick Facts:

• School has a Hospital Affiliation
• Public 4-Year
• A few grad programs offered online

^#6

University of Colorado

Aurora, CO

Aurora's University of Colorado offers an MSN pathway with both Acute Care and Primary Care Pediatric NP tracks available. Students can choose between the 3-year MSN option, or the 4+ year BS to DNP option (total length will depend on the pediatric track chosen). For either option, most classes are delivered online, with clinical experiences and some seminar courses requiring in-person attendance. Courses offered include Policy & Politics of Health, Care of the Well Child, and more.

MSN Programs

• Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid
• Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

Tuition & Fees:

• $$$$$

Quick Facts:

• School has a Hospital Affiliation
• Public 4-Year
• A few grad programs offered online

^#7

University at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY

The University at Buffalo in New York prepares RNs for pediatric care via its Post-MS to DNP Child Health Nurse Practitioner program. This online program is designed for the working professional who already holds a master's-level nursing degree and wishes to earn a doctoral education in pediatric nursing. The curriculum includes the DNP foundational core, analytical core for evidence-based practice, and the DNP advanced-practice core.

DNP Programs

• Post-MS to DNP: Child Health Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

Tuition & Fees:

• $$$$$

Quick Facts:

• GRE/MAT scores required for applicants with a GPA under 3.5
• School has a Hospital Affiliation
• Public 4-Year
• A few grad programs offered online

^#8

The University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM

The University of New Mexico, located in Albuquerque, offers an MSN Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program which focuses on the primary care of children and adolescents, particularly in underserved areas. This intensive program requires a 2-year, full-time commitment, with core courses offered online for convenience (some classes are delivered in a classroom format). The program culminates at the completion of 48 credit hours, 725 clinical hours, and 50 lab hours.

MSN Programs

• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Online/Hybrid

Tuition & Fees:

• $$$$$

Quick Facts:

• School has a Hospital Affiliation
• Public 4-Year
• 2 years of prior RN experience recommended for the pediatric NP program

^#9

Maryville University

St. Louis, MO

Maryville University, based in St. Louis, offers multiple pathways to the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) specialty, including an MSN Primary Care PNP, a BSN-DNP, and a DNP option. These programs are offered online, with no campus visits required, and clinical rotations are arranged in the student's hometown area for ease of convenience. Courses offered may include Pediatric Assessment and Diagnosis, Health Promotion of the Pediatric Population, and others.

DNP Programs

• BSN to DNP: PNP (Pediatric Primary Care) Online/Hybrid
• DNP-NP: PNP (Pediatric Primary Care) Online/Hybrid

MSN Programs

• PNP (Pediatric Primary Care) Online/Hybrid

Tuition & Fees:

• $$$$$

Quick Facts:

• No GMAT or GRE requirement
• Private Non-Profit 4-Year
• Some grad programs available online

^#10

Duke University

Durham, NC

Durham, NC's Duke University offers two distinct MSN Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) pathways: Acute Care and Primary Care. These 43 credit-hour, 616 clinical-hour programs offer one-on-one clinical practice experiences, pediatric-focused coursework, and clinically active faculty. Duke's state-of-the-art simulation lab helps students grasp concepts in a realistic environment. Students can also maximize flexibility by choosing full-time or part-time study.

MSN Programs

• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care Online/Hybrid
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care Online/Hybrid

Quick Facts:

• School has a Hospital Affiliation
• Private Non-Profit 4-Year
• The Acute Care PNP program is the only one in North Carolina

Choosing a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program

With many pediatric nurse practitioner programs available, finding the right one can be challenging. Prospective students should keep the following in mind:

Accreditation

Any decent, reputable pediatric nurse practitioner program will be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and/or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Local and regional accreditations may also be available. Accreditations help programs demonstrate that they are up to par with their academics.

Program Cost

Schools typically list tuition for pediatric nurse practitioner programs by credit. Master's and doctoral programs in the field typically charge anywhere from $485 to over $1,000 per credit hour, depending on location, school, and degree level chosen. Doctoral programs tend to be on the more expensive end, and require more credits to complete. Tuition costs typically do not include additional expenses such as program fees, course materials, and other items.

Program Length

MSN-level pediatric nurse practitioner programs are the shortest option, requiring roughly 50 credit hours and taking anywhere from 15 months to 3 years to complete, depending on full-time or part-time study. Doctorate programs require around 80 credit hours, and take approximately 3-4 years to complete. Both degree levels also require a minimum number of clinical hours in order to graduate.

Internship/Externship Opportunities

Many schools have pre-approved clinical preceptor sites for students at both the master's and doctoral levels to complete their hands-on education. Students can inquire about these relationships when they apply for the program, and can also find out about the process for performing clinical hours at a facility of their choosing.

Online/Campus Options

With pediatric nurse practitioner programs growing in popularity, many schools offer both online and campus-based options to accommodate busy students. Some schools even offer a "hybrid" program, allowing students to take many courses online but also offering classroom-based lectures and labs.

PNP Degree Levels Offered

There are two pathways students can choose from in order to become a pediatric nurse practitioner: the Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) or the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). While both programs give students the fundamentals on advanced practice in pediatrics, there are some differences between the two. Students should consider which program fits their needs before they start their applications.

Pediatric NP MSN Programs

MSN-level pediatric nurse practitioner programs typically offer students the option to specialize in acute or primary care. The curriculum mixes core advanced courses with specialty courses, and may include classes such as Introduction to Pediatric Acute Care, Advanced Nursing Assessment, and Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nurses. The University of South Alabama, for example, offers an MSN in both Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Pediatric Primary Care Nurse practitioner specialties.

RN to MSN Programs

Another route to becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner for nurses who have not yet completed their bachelor's degree in nursing is an RN to MSN program that is specially designed for registered nurses who have an associate's degree in nursing or a non-nursing bachelor's degree. These RN to NP programs allow nurses to complete both the BSN and MSN degrees in less time than two separate programs. Some programs, like the one at Regis College, allow nurses to specialize their studies in pediatric nursing by taking advanced practice nursing courses on health management and promotion of patients ages newborn to 21.

Pediatric NP DNP Programs

The doctoral pediatric nurse practitioner program offers more coursework than the MSN level degree, with classes focused on management and leadership. This pathway is suited to those who want to enter the highest levels of pediatric nursing practice. The curriculum includes classes such as Management of Complex and Chronic Problems in Pediatric Care, Biostatistics, and Well Child Advanced Practicum. Arizona State University is an example of a school that offers a DNP Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program.

RN to DNP Programs

For nurses with their BSN who want to advance their careers to the doctoral level of pediatric nursing, many schools offer an alternative path: the BSN to DNP program. These specialized bridge programs allow nurses to earn their master's degree in nursing and doctoral degree in nursing simultaneously, in less time than two separate programs. Upon graduation from a BSN to DNP program, nurses will be prepared for leadership roles and advanced practice careers in their chosen field of nursing. For nurses who are interested in becoming pediatric nurse practitioners, schools like Maryville University offer BSN to DNP programs with concentrated studies in pediatric nursing.

See our list of post master's PNP graduate certificate programs.

Online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs

Due to today's increasingly busy lifestyles, online learning programs have begun cropping up for many specialties, pediatric nurse practitioner programs included. Online programs allow students who may find it troublesome to attend classroom courses the chance to complete their graduate degrees from the comfort of their own homes. Students should thoroughly research online programs, as some do have a minimal amount of on-campus requirements.

Advantages of an Online Program

Many students find the flexibility and convenience of an online pediatric nurse practitioner program invaluable. Those enrolled in online courses are generally able to complete courses when and where they choose, making it ideal for those who work or have family obligations. Online programs are also perfect for students in rural areas with no convenient in-person option nearby. There are also monetary advantages to online programs, as students save on commuting, gas, and parking fees that campus-based programs often require.

Program Accreditation

Online pediatric nurse practitioner programs should be properly accredited. Like campus-based programs, ACEN or CCNE accreditation is recommended. Looking for proper, nationally recognized accreditations is an especially important way for students to check on the validity of online options.

Costs and Length

Online pediatric nurse practitioner programs will require the same amount of credits as campus-based schools do, but the total length of these programs may fluctuate more as students tend to have more flexibility in coursework completion. Tuition costs for online MSN and DNP pediatric nurse practitioner programs fall in the $500 to $1,000 per credit range, but students don't have to worry about transportation or relocation costs with distance-based learning. Maryville University, for example, offers online MSN and DNP Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program pathways.

What Are the Admissions and Certification Requirements?

Admissions requirements for most pediatric nurse practitioner programs include:

• BSN or higher
• Scholastic GPA of at least 3.0 from an accredited college or university
• Written expression of goals
• Letters of recommendation
• Current resume/CV
• Current active RN license

There are pediatric nurse practitioner certification pathways through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (which offers the Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner credential, or CPNP-PC) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (which offers the Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified, or PPCNP-BC credential). Eligibility requirements for each include:

• Must hold a current, U.S. RN license
• Graduate of an accredited pediatric nurse practitioner program (MSN or DNP)

List of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs

Pediatric nurse programs can be found throughout the country, including the following schools listed below.

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Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.