Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs California

University Of California Los Angeles School Of Nursing

Two pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing degree are offered by the University of California, Los Angeles School of Nursing. They include a Direct Entry MSN pathway and a BSN to MSN pathway

UCLAs Direct Entry pathway is called the Masters Entry Clinical Nurse. Its designed for individuals who hold a Bachelors degree in a field other than nursing and are seeking to begin a career in nursing. In addition to awarding an MSN degree, the program prepares students to take the national RN licensing exam , the Clinical Nurse Leader certification exam, and the California Public Health Nursing certification.

Those RNs entering via the BSN to MSN pathway have many more options for specializing including the following:

• Nursing Administration
• Primary Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
• Primary Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
• Primary Care Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist

Applicants entering via the Direct Entry pathway are required to hold a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university approved by the School of Nursing and UCLA Graduate Division. The student must have completed a series of prerequisite courses.

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

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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.

The Future For Pediatric Nurse Practitioners

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Need for Pediatric Care

Approximately one million children have no access to a pediatrician:

• Specifically, in lower-income and rural areas
• A majority of FNPs report their total pediatric population to be less than 25%
• Only 8% of PNPs are certified to provide acute care, yet 22% report practicing in inpatient settings
• Chronic illness among children has increased by 400% since 1960

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School Of Nursing Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree in nursing, masters degree in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice at Azusa Pacific University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The traditional baccalaureate nursing program, upper-division transfer programs, entry-level masters program, and the nurse practitioner program are approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission .

Note: This information is current for the 2021-22 academic year however, all stated academic information is subject to change. Please refer to the current Academic Catalog for more information.

What Is The Difference Between A Pnp

A PNP-AC is a pediatric acute care nurse practitioner. These nurse practitioners work with children, teens and young adults from newborn to 21 years old who are acutely, critically or chronically ill. PNP-ACs work in settings like hospitals, pediatric emergency departments and pediatric intensive care units.

A PNP-PC is a pediatric nurse practitioner who works in primary care. PNP-PCs serve patients from newborn to 21 years old to ensure healthy development. PNP-PCs work in PNP primary care offices, where they prescribe medication, perform lab work and diagnose tests.

Information on this page was last retrieved in September 2020.

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The Profile Of A Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

There are some important qualities you should possess and value if you are considering becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner. First, you should have or be able to gain some knowledge of child psychology. You will be working with children ranging from infants to teens, and an understanding of developmental psychology as well as physiology will help you build relationships with your patients.

A pediatric nurse practitioner must be able to work well under pressure and be able to keep a level head during emergencies. An adult dealing with his or her own medical emergency may have no problem staying calm, but when the emergency involves a child, you, as the PNP, may be then only calm and level headed adult involved. With this ability to work under pressure, you must also grasp a firm understanding of process and the ability to work with a team to accomplish a single goal. Much of nursing is about patient care, but a nurse practitioner must also be able to communicate with other professionals to achieve the best possible care for his or her patients. Pediatric Nurse Practitioners will often work closely with a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner when working with the youngest patients.

Master Of Science In Nursing

This degree is available to qualified students who desire advanced studies. The program is approved by the Board of Registered Nursing, and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education .

A Master of Science degree in Nursing is offered for the following specialties: Nurse Practitioner , and Nursing and Health Systems Executive Management.

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University Of California Irvine Department Of Nursing Quality Research And Education

The University of California, Irvines Department of Nursing Quality, Research, and Education offers Master of Science in Nursing programs in the following areas of specialization/roles:

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

Students are required to complete 72 units and 720 hours of clinical practice with populations in their specialization. They are expected to be enrolled full-time and to complete the program in two years.

Applicants must have a Bachelors degree in nursing from a regionally and CCNE accredited institution. Their overall GPA must be at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students must have completed a course in Descriptive and Inferential Statistics and received a score of C or better. They must also have completed a Nursing Research courses. Candidates must hold licensure as an RN in California and must have at least one year of recent clinical experience as an RN before entering the program.

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

What Is A Nurse Practitioner

Classified as mid-level providers, nurse practitioners are an integral component of the comprehensive care delivery system. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners describes the responsibilities of professionals in these roles as the blend of clinical expertise in diagnosing and treating health conditions with an added emphasis on disease prevention and health management.

As opposed to the typical responsibilities of registered nurses, NPs are able to provide a number of services traditionally assigned to a physician, including:

• Ordering and analyzing diagnostic and laboratory tests, such as x-rays and EKGs.
• Diagnosing illnesses and injuries.
• Prescribing rehabilitation services, such as physical therapy.
• Creating treatment plans.
• Assisting in or performing minor procedures and surgeries, such as suturing and casting.

While registered nurses traditionally provide patient care as a component of a healthcare team, an NP has a higher level of independence. In some states, they can even provide primary care in an independent capacity, though current California laws require most of these professionals in the state to have some level of oversight from a physician supervisor.

As growing numbers of patients seek primary care, NPs are helping clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare organizations meet this important need. In fact, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, each year Americans make more than 1.02 billion visits to NPs.

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The University Of Texas At El Paso

• Program Name: Pediatrics with Acute Care Focus and Pediatrics with Primary Care Focus
• Enrollment Options: Full time
• Coursework Credits: 46 hours for PNP-PC and 54 hours for PNP-AC
• Clinical Practice Hours: 675 hours for PNP-PC and 765 hours for PNP-AC
• Length of Program: 2 calendar years
• Admission Requirements:
• Current RN license in good standing in state or country where clinical or practicum coursework is completed
• BSN from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or equivalent education at a foreign institution
• Unofficial transcripts official transcripts must be sent after admission
• Statement of purpose
• Resume/CV

• Program Name: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care
• Enrollment Options: Part time, full time
• Coursework Credits: 40 credits
• Clinical Practice Hours: 700 clinical hours for BSN-to-MSN, 500 clinical hours for PNP-AC, or 650 clinical hours for PNP-PC
• Length of Program: 12-24 months
• Admission Requirements:
• Statement of Purpose
• ASN, BSN or MSN degree with at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
• For PNP-AC, at least two years of RN nursing experience in acute, inpatient pediatrics or one year in a pediatric critical care or emergency department setting for PNP-PC, no RN experience is required
• Official transcripts from all colleges or universities
• Three letters of academic or professional reference
• RN applicants must graduate before enrolling from an ACEN- or CCNEaccredited school and hold an unencumbered RN license

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

The Northwestern State University of Louisiana provides students in the pediatric nurse practitioner program with an opportunity to build upon their BSN education while preparing to function in a variety of advanced pediatric nursing roles.

Develop the advanced knowledge, skills, and clinical competence to excel as a pediatric nurse practitioner after graduation from this MSN Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program.

• Tuition: $7,125 per semester
• Program length: approx. 6 semesters
• Accreditation: CCNE

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Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Career Outlook

• There are roughly 270,000 nurse practitioners licensed in the United States
• Currently, only 4% are licensed as pediatric nurse practitioners
• 31.1% practice in a hospital setting, while 51.6% work in outpatient clinics

While most PNP students focus on primary care, there are also acute care programs that focus on the critical care aspect of caring for children.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners can work in a variety of settings including:

• Hospitals

San Diego State University School Of Nursing

San Diego State Universitys School of Nursing offers Master of Science in Nursing programs in a variety of specializations/roles including:

• Nurse-Midwifery
• Womens Health Nurse Practitioner
• Dual Nurse-Midwifery and Womens Health Nurse Practitioner
• Dual Acute/Critical Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner and Acute/Critical Care Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Dual Acute/Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Educator
• Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems

Applicants to the MSN program should hold a Bachelors degree in nursing from an ACEN/NLNAC or CCNE accredited program. RNs without a BSN who hold a Bachelors or Masters in a non-nursing major can enter the program but may be required to take additional undergraduate and/or graduate bridge courses based on individual assessments. They must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale on all upper division undergraduate courses. They must also have completed a course in Statistics with a grade of C or better. A satisfactory score on the GRE General Test is required. Candidates must hold a license as an RN in California.

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

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Blended And Hybrid Pnp Programs

Colleges and universities are increasingly offering blended or hybrid course formats that facilitate flexible learning. Blended and hybrid courses replace some traditional face-to-face instruction with online learning . Students in a blended PNP program may attend onsite course immersions and work with members of the faculty to set up clinical learning experiences within the programs network of clinical partners in the surrounding community.

Holy Names University Department Of Nursing

The Department of Nursing at Holy Names University offers two pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing degree: an RN to MSN pathway and a BSN to MSN pathway.

The RN to MSN pathway allows Registered Nurses with a non-nursing Bachelors degree to earn a Masters in nursing within two to three years. They are required to take 16-18 credit hours of undergraduate bridge course work before being fully admitted to the MSN program.

MSN students choose between three specializations:

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Nursing Educator
• Nursing Administration/Management

A dual degree option is also available leading to both MSN in Nursing Administration/Management and MBA degrees.

Applicants entering the program via the RN to MSN pathway must hold a nursing diploma or Associates degree in nursing and hold a California license as an RN.

Applicants entering the program via the BSN to MSN pathway must hold a Bachelors degree in nursing from an ACEN/NLNAC or CCNE accredited program with a cumulative GPA of 2.80 or better and a 3.0 or better GPA on all undergraduate nursing courses. They must have completed courses in Pathophysiology, Statistics, and Nursing Research at the undergraduate level. Candidates must hold a current license as a Registered Nurse in California.

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

• Nurse Educator
• Nursing Administration

Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education

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Scholarships For Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Students

There are various nursing financial aid opportunities for future PNPs. Here are some scholarships for PNP students:

• AfterCollege/AACN $10,000 Scholarship Fund: This fund supports BSN, MSN and DNP students, including RN-to-MSN program and accelerated nursing program students.
• A Nurse I Am Scholarship: This annual scholarship is provided by Cherokee Uniforms to nursing students around the country. Some years, multiple winners have been selected.
• Elaine Gelman Student Scholarship: This $1,300 scholarship is awarded to nurse practitioner students who demonstrate academic achievement, pediatric healthcare advocacy and clinical competence.
• Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association Inc. General Scholarship: Scholarships of up to $7,500 per academic year are awarded to nursing students specializing in the nursing profession, such as in pediatrics.
• Society of Pediatric Nurses Scholarships: The Society of Pediatric Nurses presents two academic scholarships a year.

Online Pediatric Np Program Rankings

Distance-based PNP programs typicallyoffer online coursework, flexibility in course load and time tocompletion, and a minimal number of required campus visits.Preceptorships are usually completed local to the student.

The NPSchools.com team compiled acomplete list of online PNP programs for the 2019-2020 academic yearand ranked them by an AdvanceU score that combines cost,admissions flexibility, and program variety. Our databasecontains entries for more than 700 online NP programs at the MSN,DNP, and post-masters certificate levels, including PNP-PC, PNP-ACand dual PNP-PC/PNP-AC programs. In order to qualify for inclusion inthe NPSchools.com rankings below, a PNP program must require no morethan nine campus visits in total.

Should you find a missing program or factual error, please contact us to bring it to our attention.

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California Np Work Settings

Nurse practitioners often work in settings where relatively routine medical care is provided. They are sought to staff clinics and federally qualified health centers. Nurse practitioners may also carry out home visits with the elderly and with others who have conditions that make it difficult to visit a provider. Medical practices frequently seek nurse practitioners to join their teams. Some practices provide pediatrics or specialty services.

California NPs can work in emergency departments. Here their role includes assessment and evaluation. Emergency department utilization, notably, can be quite different in different parts of the country.

Should I Enroll In An Online Pnp Program

If you crave flexibility and dont want to have to relocate to attend the PNP program of your choice, PNP online programs may be beneficial. Online pediatric nurse practitioner programs are generally taught by on-campus instructors and feature the same coursework as on-campus programs. Students can access classes on a schedule that works for them and study and complete coursework on their own device, from any connected location.

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Paying For Online Nurse Practitioner Programs In California

NPs earn salaries considerably above the national average and are in demand, so student loan debt may not be a considerable burden compared to other fields. However, you will still need to consider the financial aspects of attending an NP program in California, including tuition and fees, any associated travel costs for clinical placement or on-campus programs, and whether you can work while attending the program.

Financial aid options to attend a nurse practitioner program in California include:

• Direct loans or grants from the school you attend
• Work-study school programs for online as well as on-campus students
• Scholarships from foundations, nonprofits, or corporations
• Government loans or grants

The University Of Tennessee Health Sciences Center

Located in Memphis, Tennessee, The University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center offers a hybrid/blended post-masters DNP degree with a Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner concentration . On-campus attendance is required with students attending four times in the first semester for health assessment courses and 1-2 times per semester each semester for skills labs and simulation. Each on-campus attendance is 1-3 days and schedules for attendance are published at least six months in advance. Students living outside of the Memphis area can complete clinical assignments in approved sites closer to their home area. Applicants must hold a BSN from an accredited program with a 3.0 GPA, submit official school transcripts, three letters of recommendation, completion of criminal background check, etc. U.S. News and World Report rate the DNP program at UTHSC in the top 25 of its Best Nursing Schools category.

Program Length: 50 Credit HoursEstimated Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour: $686 $780 Curriculum Snapshot: Leadership and Health Policy, Healthcare Economics, Evaluation of Practice, Epidemiology for Clinical Practice, Methods for Evaluation of Practice, Philosophy of Science & Theory in Nursing Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Pediatrics Acute and Complex Pediatrics DNP Synthesis Practicum: ACPNP, etc.Program Accreditation: CCNEProgram Website:University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center

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