Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Career
What You Do in This Career?
Pediatric nursing is a medical practice specialty that encompasses the care of children and adolescents. Pediatric nurse practitioners usually focus on preventative medicine including checkups, exams, and immunizations, but they are also the first people parents go to when their children have ear infections, tonsillitis, chicken-pox, and other common childhood ailments.
Pediatric nurses must be knowledgeable about the factors of child development and growth in order to provide comprehensive care. Programs prepare students to become nurse practitioners while specializing in the care and treatment of the pediatric and adolescent population.
Salary and Career Path
- Salary: Averages range between $57,767 and $95,334 per year for PNPs.
- Pediatric Nurse Requirements: To practice as a PCP you must be a licensed RN, complete a master’s or doctorate degree with a specialization in acute care, and pass the National Board certification.
- Work Environment: PCPs can work in doctor’s offices, clinics, hospitals, surgical centers, and other health care settings.
What Kind of Degree or Coursework You Need?
Curricula for pediatric nurse practitioner programs can include both classroom and clinical experiences, and will cover health assessment, physiology, pathophysiology, family and child development theory, and nutrition. Coursework also focuses on illnesses common in underserved populations.
Some programs offer a specialty in acute care pediatrics, in which students are trained to manage critically ill infants, children and adolescents. Advancement in the career comes from work experience and specialization in specific areas of children’s medicine which may require more formal education.
Earn an Online Nurse Practitioner Degree
A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who holds a graduate-level degree. While in most states RNs currently need only a Master of Science in nursing (MSN) degree to become nurse practitioners, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has proposed that the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) be the minimum requirement for all advanced practice nurses by 2015. Listed below are the best online colleges offering accredited MSN and DNP degrees.
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Georgetown University — The Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies offers two online Master of Science in nursing degrees. The MS in family nurse practitioner program prepares students for careers as family nurses. The MS in midwifery / women's health nurse practitioner program perpares students for careers as nurse practitioners who specialize as midwives and caring for female patients. |
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University of Phoenix — The Master of Science in nursing for nurse practitioners from the University of Phoenix is a flexible online program from an accredited school. Students will learn advanced nursing skills, finance, change management, and evidence-based nursing research. Upon completion, graduates will be well prepared to advance their nursing careers. MSN specialties are offered in health education and health informatics. Dual degrees (MSN + MBA and MSN + MHA) are also available. |
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Kaplan University — The MSN nurse administration, nurse education, and nurse informatics degree programs from Kaplan allows nurses with bachelor's degrees to take their careers to the next level. Students of these programs will learn advanced nursing theory, health policy, evidence-based decision making, financing, and more. |
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University of Cincinnati — The MS in nursing degree program with a specialization in women's health practice offered online by the University of Cincinnati is geared toward nursing students wanting to receive expert training on women's health issues. Cincinnati also offers many other nurse practitioner degree programs, including MSN specialties in clinical nursing, nurse midwifery, and psychiatric & mental health nursing. |
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South University — South University has built a reputation on class flexibility and affordability. Their MSN program for nurse practitioners is no exception. This program is ideal for registered nurses who may be too busy with work for full-time campus classes, but looking for professional advancement in their respective careers by earning an online degree. |
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