Top Online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNPs) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who care for patients throughout childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. PNPs treat, diagnose, and care for pediatric patients in primary and acute care settings.
Nurse.org has compiled a list of the top 10 online pediatric nurse practitioner programs. Continue reading for information about each program, including accreditation, tuition, program length, and contact information.
Popular Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals. GCU offers a full spectrum of nursing degrees, from a pre-licensure BSN degree to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
At Purdue Global, discover a faster, more affordable way to earn your Nursing degree. Purdue Global is committed to keeping your tuition costs as low as possible and helping you find the most efficient path to your degree.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
At Ohio University, we provide aspiring and current nursing professionals programs and credentials that will help them launch their careers and advance toward leadership positions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, except AL, AZ, CO, DE, GA, IA, ID, KS, LA, MD, ND, NE, NY, OK, OR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, and WY
Top 10 Online PNP Programs
Several universities offer high-quality online pediatric NP programs. We employed Nurse.org’s ranking methodology to find the best programs in the nation, taking into consideration factors like:
- Tuition
- Curriculum
- Faculty-to-student ratio
- Admission Criteria
- Affiliation with PNP nursing program
- Accreditation
|
Program Name |
Accreditation |
Tuition |
Length |
|
University of Colorado |
CCNE |
Resident: $785 per credit hour |
MSN: 3 years DNP: 4.5 years Post-Graduate Certificate: 1.5 years |
|
University of Missouri - Kansas City |
CCNE |
Missouri and Kansas Residents: $6,822 per year Heartland Residents: $9,972 per year Non-Residents: $16,108 per year |
MSN: 3 years DNP: 4-5 years Post-Graduate Certificate: 1.5 years |
|
Duke University |
CCNE |
$2,166 per credit hour |
2.5 years |
|
The University of Texas Arlington |
CCNE |
$26,814 total cost |
29-33 months |
|
University of Michigan |
CCNE |
Resident: $1,993 per credit hour Non-Resident: $3,651 per credit hour |
2-3 years |
|
Drexel University |
CCNE |
$1,134 per credit hour |
28-36 months |
|
Regis College |
ACEN |
$995 per credit hour |
28-36 months |
|
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center |
CCNE |
Resident: $272.43 per credit hour Non-Resident: $589 per credit hour |
49 credit hours |
|
University of South Alabama |
CCNE |
$494 per credit hour |
2-3 years |
|
Baylor University |
CCNE |
$1,150 per credit hour |
3 years |
Non-Resident: $1,273 per credit hour
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus offers three pathways for students interested in becoming a PNP. Students can earn a traditional master’s degree, a doctorate, or a post-graduate certificate.
Each program has varying lengths, given the requirements. Students complete their didactic coursework online and in-person clinicals at an approved site.
- Program Length:
- MSN: 3 years
- DNP: 4.5 years
- Post-Graduate Certificate: 1.5 years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Application Deadline:
- Priority: January 15th
- Direct Care Extended: April 1st
- Indirect Care Extended: July 1st
- Contact Information:
- Phone Number: (303) 724-1812
PNP students at the University of Missouri can attend an MSN or DNP option, depending on their desired degree. Regardless of the program, the university requires 600 clinical hours from its online pediatric nurse practitioner students. Those with an MSN APRN degree can enroll in the post-graduate certificate program and graduate in less than two years.
- Annual Tuition:
- Missouri and Kansas Residents: $6,822
- Heartland Residents: $9,972
- Nonresidents: $16,108
- Program Length:
- MSN: 3 years
- DNP: 4-5 years
- Post-Graduate Certificate: 1.5 years
- Application Deadline:
- Spring: October 18th
- Summer: March 7th
- Fall: March 7th
- Contact Information:
- Phone Number: (816) 235-1700
- Email Address: nurses@umkc.edu
U.S. News & World Report states that Duke is one of the best pediatric nurse practitioner schools online. The university offers both acute and primary care online pediatric nurse practitioner programs.
Students in this program have access to over 2,000 clinical sites nationwide and internationally. With plenty of locations, they can complete their online PNP program from virtually any location.
- Application Deadline: December 1st
- Contact Information:
- Phone Number: (919) 684-3786
- Email Address: SONApplication@dm.duke.edu
Popular Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals. GCU offers a full spectrum of nursing degrees, from a pre-licensure BSN degree to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
At Purdue Global, discover a faster, more affordable way to earn your Nursing degree. Purdue Global is committed to keeping your tuition costs as low as possible and helping you find the most efficient path to your degree.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
At Ohio University, we provide aspiring and current nursing professionals programs and credentials that will help them launch their careers and advance toward leadership positions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, except AL, AZ, CO, DE, GA, IA, ID, KS, LA, MD, ND, NE, NY, OK, OR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, and WY
The University of Texas Arlington offers an online program for students interested in caring for the pediatric population. This online PNP program allows students to complete their didactic courses entirely online and attend clinicals in person.
Since the coursework is rigorous and time-consuming, most students limit work throughout the program. According to the university, students can expect to study approximately 5 hours a week for every one-credit course.
- Application Deadline: August 30th
- Contact Information:
- Phone Number: (866) 489-2810
Non-Resident: $3,651 per credit hour
The University of Michigan offers a unique online learning experience. Students attend fully online courses taught by some of the same nursing professors within the main university programs. Once they complete a course, the information stays online, and students can access it whenever and wherever they are.
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Information:
- Email Address: michigan-online-help@umich.edu
Drexel University organizes its online pediatric nurse practitioner program into four 10-week quarters, which allows students to take more courses in a shorter period. While Drexel allows students to select their clinical sites and preceptors, they can also let the university assign them. Learners can also access simulated clinical learning experiences at the university's state-of-the-art simulation center.
Unfortunately, the university imposes some restrictions because of state regulations. For example, students from New York can enroll in the program but cannot attend clinicals in New York. Additionally, despite its online status, the program requires students to hold a Pennsylvania RN license.
- Application Deadline: August 1st
- Contact Information:
- Email Address: CNHPGraduateDivision@drexel.edu
The PNP program at Regis College is highly affordable for students and offers several discounted tuition programs. Employees of the school's corporate partners receive a 10-15% discount, making this program extremely desirable.
The online MSN is a virtual extension of the on-campus program, one of Massachusetts's largest nurse practitioner programs. The Regis School of Nursing was the first in New England to be designated a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education.
- Application Deadline: August 1st
- Contact Information:
- Phone Number: (866) 411-2159
Non-Resident: $589 per credit hour
Texas Tech's online PNP program offers students access to one of the top teaching hospitals nationwide for clinical rotations. Currently, state regulations prevent the program from accepting students from Arizona, California, Louisiana, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, and Washington.
Additionally, while didactic classes are entirely online, students must occasionally travel to Lubbock, TX, for simulations and intensives. They also must attend clinical rotations in person.
- Application Deadline:
- Fall: February 15th
- Spring: August 1st
- Contact Information:
- Phone Number: (806) 743-1000
The University of South Alabama offers an entirely online PNP program except for a mandatory Clinical Skills Intensive provided by the USA Simulation Program during the fall term, held on campus in Mobile, AL. Students must sign up three months before their preferred date, allowing plenty of time to make travel arrangements.
- Application Deadline: February 15th
- Contact Information:
- Phone Number: (251) 445-9400
- Email Address: lisadailey@southalabama.edu or congradapp@southalabama.edu
Baylor University offers one of the top pediatric nurse practitioner programs in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report. Expert faculty teach students and provide 1:1 support throughout the program.
Unfortunately, state regulations prevent students from attending the program in certain states. Currently, Baylor offers an online BSN to DNP PNP program. They will soon offer a post-master's DNP program as well.
- Application Deadline: February 15th
- Contact Information:
- Phone Number: (888) 227-5901
What to Expect in a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program
PNP programs are rigorous and time-consuming. Students can expect a mix of didactic coursework online and in-person clinicals at an approved clinical site with a preceptor. Most students cannot work full-time during the program, especially during clinicals.
Admission Requirements
PNP programs maintain a high standard for admission. Some programs will admit students directly into the program, while others will require students to apply to the university and nursing program. Admission requirements include:
- BSN from an accredited nursing program
- Unencumbered RN license
- GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale at an accredited university
- Have a minimum of one year of experience
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate coursework
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume/CV
- Personal statement
- Interview, if applicable
- GRE, if applicable
Classes & Coursework
Specific course offers will vary depending on the program and if a subspeciality is offered, but all PNP programs will include didactic and clinical coursework. Students are responsible for a minimum of 500 clinical hours throughout the program.
Courses you can expect to take include:
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Research
- Leadership
- Ethics
- Health Promotion
- Health Care Policy
- Evidence-Based Practice
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Specialties
After earning your PNP degree and certification, you might be interested in a subspecialty. Some universities offer courses specific to a subspecialty, while others provide only general pediatric NP degrees.
Pediatric subspecialties include:
- Acute care
- Primary care
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
- Adolescent Medicine
- Surgery
- ENT
- Hospice and Palliative Care
- Hematology
- Pulmonology
- Urology
- Orthopedics
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Oncology
- Neurology
Not all pediatric NP subspecialties are offered in traditional classes. Some are learned through preceptorships, while others are learned on the job. Deciding on the subspecialty that you will practice can depend on several factors. First, if you have experience in a particular area this may mean choosing that subspecialty. Second, a subspeciality might be chosen based on job offers. Ultimately, you should choose a subspecialty that interests you.
How to Choose an Online PNP Program
Deciding on an online PNP program can be overwhelming because there are so many. The most crucial aspect to consider is program accreditation. Without accreditation, you cannot sit for national certification and obtain employment as a PNP.
Next, consider the following factors:
- How much does the program cost?
- Do they offer in-state tuition, or are you applying to an out-of-state program?
- Does your employer offer tuition reimbursement? Is that reimbursement higher for specific programs?
- What type of PNP you are interested in becoming?
- If specific formal education related to the subspecialty is not possible, consider how you will obtain the education.
- Will a job offer you on-the-job training, or can you complete a clinical rotation in that specialty?
Popular Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals. GCU offers a full spectrum of nursing degrees, from a pre-licensure BSN degree to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
At Purdue Global, discover a faster, more affordable way to earn your Nursing degree. Purdue Global is committed to keeping your tuition costs as low as possible and helping you find the most efficient path to your degree.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
At Ohio University, we provide aspiring and current nursing professionals programs and credentials that will help them launch their careers and advance toward leadership positions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, except AL, AZ, CO, DE, GA, IA, ID, KS, LA, MD, ND, NE, NY, OK, OR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, and WY
FAQs
-
Is becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner worth it?
- Yes, becoming a PNP is worth it! As a PNP, you will diagnose, treat, and care for pediatric patients. It is rewarding, provides stability, and you can earn a good income.
-
How much do pediatric nurse practitioners make?
- According to ZipRecruiter, pediatric nurse practitioners earn an average annual salary of $135,161 or $65 an hour.
-
How long are pediatric nurse practitioner programs?
- Pediatric NP programs typically require two years of full-time study or three to four years of part-time study.
-
How hard are pediatric nurse practitioner programs?
- Pediatric NP programs are challenging and time-consuming. The program of study includes advanced health assessment, pharmacology, and pathophysiology classes.
