Pediatric nurse practitioners play an incredibly important role in our healthcare system, especially considering the significant shortage of pediatric subspecialists in the United States. And since growing humans need healthcare providers who understand the conditions that impact them specifically (and not just the conditions that impact adults), getting an education that specializes in pediatric nursing is an outstanding choice.
Today, we will discuss five different pediatric nurse practitioner programs that will give you a stronger educational background to prepare you for a career in different pediatric specialties and why you should consider them.
Do I Need to Get a Specialized Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Degree?
If you want to work in a pediatric specialty or sub-specialty as a nurse practitioner (NP), you do not have to get a specialized pediatric nurse practitioner degree. You can obtain your Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) and/or your Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) to become eligible to take the exam that will give you your Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license.
Many employers, however, will require that you obtain a pediatric nurse practitioner certification from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), either as a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care (CPNP-AC) or a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care (CPNP-PC).
Why Consider a Specialized Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program?
Many pediatric nurse practitioners will complete degrees that do not specialize exclusively in pediatrics. Most MSN and DNP degrees that nurses complete to become nurse practitioners are generalized programs, providing generalized education that will cover information in different specialties, including family medicine, pharmacology, women’s health, and pediatrics.
You can, however, choose to pursue an NP education program that focuses heavily on pediatric nursing. If you know that you want to become a pediatric healthcare provider, this is a great choice, as treating pediatric patients is wildly different from treating adults. These specialized programs can offer a stronger educational program and better footing to start the next stage of your career and may make it easier to obtain your pediatric certifications.
In some cases, pediatric nurse practitioner programs will also prioritize clinical hours in pediatric specialties and sub-specialties, making it easier for you to get the kind of hands-on experience that will benefit you (and your patients!) most.
The 5 Best Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Thinking about choosing a specialized pediatric nurse practitioner program? These are some of the best options available.
1. Duke University
Duke’s Pediatric Acute Care NP MSN degree is outstanding, which is no surprise given Duke’s reputation in medical education.
In this degree program, you’ll learn how to care for infants and children with complex and quickly-changing medical conditions in different acute care settings, including in-patient hospitals, emergency departments (EDs), and critical care transport teams. Culturally-centered and family-centered care is a core part of the program.
Their Pediatric Primary Care NP MSN is also phenomenal. It will equip you to provide comprehensive primary healthcare to infants and children of all ages, all the way up to adulthood. The training includes one-on-one clinical practice experience in different settings, including health departments, hospital ambulatory care settings, school-based health clinics, and primary care clinics.
2. University of Maryland - Baltimore
The University of Maryland-Baltimore has two pediatric-focused DNP programs for nurse practitioners: one focused on Pediatric Acute Care and another focused on Pediatric Primary Care.
Both programs allow you to complete some classes online and have different time frames for program completion, giving you more flexibility. They will include education on diagnostics, treatment, health policy, and updated medical technologies and allow you to be placed in an individual practicum suited to your skills and career goals.
3. Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care (PNP-PC) MSN program is intensive but highly rated. Their program utilizes traditional classroom settings with exposure to recognized experts in pediatric primary care and pediatric sub-specialties. The program is designed to help you pass the certification exams offered by the PNCB.
They stress evidence-based care in a variety of pediatric primary care settings, with an emphasis on disease prevention, health promotion, and health care management.
4. The University of Pittsburg
If you have your BSN and want to go straight to obtaining your DNP, the University of Pittsburg’s BSN to DNP bridge program is a great choice. Their Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner BSN to DNP program takes three years to complete as a full-time student, though students can also choose to study part-time.
The program is offered both online and in-person, and graduates are eligible to sit for the exam for certification from the PNCB. Clinical hours will allow students to provide comprehensive supervised care to pediatric patients in both primary care and subspecialty settings.
5. Johns Hopkins
Johns Hopkins is one of the most well-respected medical organizations in the United States, so it only makes sense that their Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner DNP program is on our list.
The Johns Hopkins’ DNP program gives students access to resources at their facility, including some of the best faculty and top-of-the-line medical technology. It teaches students how to diagnose and manage both acute and chronic primary pediatric health problems, as well as skills in both physical and psychosocial assessment and treatment.
You have the option of completing coursework online while practicing advanced clinical skills in the “simulation center” at their School of Nursing for an immersive learning approach. Furthermore, they use an innovative clinical competency model to assess performance.
Interested in learning more about working in pediatrics? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Pediatric Nursing!
