Are you a registered nurse looking to specialize in the dynamic and critical field of pediatric acute care? Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP-AC) programs offer advanced training to nurses who want to provide expert care to children and adolescents facing complex and urgent health conditions. These specialized programs prepare graduates to become leaders in pediatric healthcare settings, equipped with the skills for advanced physical assessments, critical clinical decision-making, and the management of multifaceted disorders in young patients.
Comprehensive Curriculum and Specializations
Our Pediatric Acute Care NP program is designed with flexibility in mind, catering to both aspiring and experienced Nurse Practitioners. We understand that students have diverse schedules and career stages, which is why we offer both full-time and part-time study options. Whether you are transitioning directly into advanced practice nursing or are a practicing Nurse Practitioner seeking to specialize, our program can accommodate your needs.
For those dedicated to full-time study, you can complete any of our specialized concentrations within one calendar year. Part-time options are also available, extending the program duration to fit your personal and professional commitments, with most part-time students completing the program within one to three years. For nurses interested in broadening their expertise, part-time study can be combined with nursing minors such as Palliative Care and Global Health, offering a richer and more versatile educational experience.
All classes for the Pediatric Acute Care Program are conducted on campus. We believe in the value of in-person education, fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment with personalized attention from accessible faculty. We are committed to providing an individualized graduate experience that supports each student’s unique learning journey. Currently, we do not offer an online-based program, as we prioritize the hands-on, immersive learning that on-campus education provides for acute care specialties.
A significant aspect of our program is the clinical experience, which is meticulously arranged and coordinated by the University of Pennsylvania. A dedicated clinical site coordinator will work closely with you, ensuring a clinical placement that aligns with the Pediatric Acute Care Program’s rigorous standards and your individual learning objectives.
Explore our specialized concentrations to tailor your curriculum and plan of study:
Program Requirements and Application Details
To ensure our students are well-prepared for the challenges of pediatric acute care, we have established minimum qualifications and prerequisites for admission into the program.
Minimum Qualifications
- BSN Degree: Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited institution.
- GPA: A minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher is required to demonstrate academic excellence.
Prerequisites
- College Level Statistics Course: Successful completion of a college-level statistics course is necessary to provide a foundation for evidence-based practice in advanced nursing.
Licensure
- RN Licensure: Applicants must possess and maintain an active Registered Nurse (RN) license.
Experience
- Program-Specific RN Experience: Specific RN experience requirements vary by concentration. Please refer to individual concentration details for outlined experience criteria to ensure you meet the necessary background for your chosen specialization.
Application Deadlines
We offer enrollment options for full-time and part-time students across different semesters. Please note the application deadlines to ensure timely submission of your application.
Full-time Enrollment
| Priority Deadline: November 4, 2024 Decision Notification: early-February |
|---|
| Final Deadline: February 3, 2025 Decision Notification: late-March |
Part-time Enrollment
| Spring 2025 Enrollment | Summer 2025 Enrollment | Fall 2025 Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| Deadline: October 15, 2024 Decision Notification: late-December | Deadline: March 15, 2025 Decision Notification: late-April | Deadline: April 1, 2025 Decision Notification: mid-May |
*Dates subject to change without notice. Please verify current dates on the official program website.
Costs & Tuition
Investing in your education is a significant decision. We aim to provide transparent information regarding the costs associated with our Pediatric Acute Care NP program.
Discounts are available for employees of our Academic Practice Partners. Click here to learn more about eligibility and how to apply.
Total Estimated Cost (12 CUs starting in 2024)
| Acute/Chronic | Critical Care | Oncology |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time: $86,510 Part-time: $88,475 | Full-time: $86,873 Part-time: $88,475 | Full-time: $86,510 |
Your actual program costs may vary based on your chosen plan of study and enrollment schedule. Tuition is charged per Course Unit (CU) based on your semester enrollment.
| ### Summer 2024 Per CU rate* | ### Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 Per CU rate** | ### Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 Full-time*** | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $6,640 | $6,640 | $26,428 |
| General Fee | $492 | $492 | $1,977 |
| Tech Fee | None | $120 | $459 |
| Clinical Fee | None | None | $358 |
*Summer semesters are charged per CU regardless of enrollment status
**Registration for less than 4 CUs is charged per CU
***Registration for 4 CUs is charged the full-time rate
Please note that tuition and fees listed here do not encompass the full cost of attendance. For a comprehensive understanding of all expenses, including living costs and other related fees, please visit the University’s Student Registration & Financial Services website.
Program Outcomes and Certification
Graduates of our Pediatric Acute Care NP program are exceptionally prepared to deliver collaborative and comprehensive care to a diverse population of children and adolescents. You will be equipped to manage complex critical, acute, and chronic conditions, and emerge as a clinical and professional leader in the field. Our graduates demonstrate expertise in:
- Physical Assessment and Clinical Decision Making: Mastering advanced skills to accurately assess pediatric patients and make critical clinical judgments.
- Management of Multifaceted Disorders: Developing proficiency in managing complex and co-occurring health issues in young patients.
- Culturally Sensitive Family-Focused Care: Providing care that is respectful of diverse cultural backgrounds and centered around the family unit.
- Community Engagement and Transitional Care: Understanding the importance of community health and ensuring smooth transitions of care for patients across different healthcare settings.
- Integration of Social Determinants of Health: Applying a holistic approach to healthcare that considers and addresses the social factors influencing patient health outcomes.
Certification
Upon successful completion of our program, you will be eligible to apply for the national certification from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB). Graduation qualifies you to become a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care (CPNP-AC), a recognized credential of excellence in pediatric acute care nursing. Furthermore, our program prepares you for licensure in all 50 states, offering national recognition and career mobility. All concentrations within our program culminate in the same Pediatric Acute Care Degree, and graduates are prepared to take the same Pediatric Acute Care Board certification exam, ensuring a consistent standard of excellence across all specializations.
