Best Online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs

Bridge, Accelerated, and Alternative Pathways

If you don’t have a BSN, there still might be a way for you to get accepted by your favorite MSN or DNP program. Bridge programs and accelerated programs offer a timely (and affordable) route to a nursing graduate degree if you meet the right requirements — typically an RN license and an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN), but this is not always so. Here are a few bridge and accelerated programs that you can find available with an PNP focus:

• RN to NP
• RN to MSN
• BSN to DNP
• Accelerated MSN
• Master's Entry to Nursing Practice
• Post-Master’s Certificate

Learn more about Nurse Practitioner Programs.

Fast & Affordable PNP Programs

As mentioned, bridge and accelerated programs are a great way to save time and money on your PNP degree program, but even amongst traditional family nurse practitioner programs, you can still find plenty of cheap and quick routes to your new career. Below are a few tips and examples you can utilize to discover these types of programs in your area.

How to Complete a PNP Program Quickly

You don’t need to sacrifice an entire decade to higher education if you don’t want to, especially when it comes to family nurse practitioner programs. Many nurse practitioner degree programs can be finished in as little as four years or even less! Here are a few tips to shorten your time to graduation:

1. Opting for a full-time program will save you time over a part-time option.
2. Online programs can often be completed more quickly than their on-campus counterparts.
3. MSN PNP programs typically take 2 years to complete, much shorter than 3-4 year DNP programs.

A few examples of quick PNP programs include:

PNP Programs with Affordable Tuition

Many of the reasons you can find shorter FNP degree programs overlap with the reasons why you can also find PNP programs available in a more affordable tuition range. Here are some suggestions for finding PNP degree programs that fit your budget:

1. Location – Urban and high-cost living areas will naturally command higher tuition rates.
2. Private vs. Public Schools – Private schools often have higher tuition and fees than public schools.
3. Degree Level – MSN-level PNP programs are often shorter and cheaper than DNP options.

Here are a few of the most affordable PNP programs available:

PNP Curriculum

The curriculum of a pediatric nurse practitioner program is designed to prepare nurses for advanced practice in child healthcare, covering a comprehensive blend of clinical and theoretical coursework. Core courses typically include pediatric growth and development, advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, and health assessment focused on infants, children, and adolescents. Students also engage in hands-on clinical practice under supervision, allowing them to apply their skills in real-world settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, and community health centers. The curriculum often emphasizes family-centered care, evidence-based practices, and preventive health strategies to equip graduates with the expertise needed for high-quality pediatric care.

Typical Classes/Courses

Below is a bullet-point list of common courses found in PNP programs at both the MSN and DNP levels:

• Pediatric Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
• Pediatric Primary Care
• Growth and Development Across the Lifespan
• Family-Centered Pediatric Care
• Pediatric Behavioral and Mental Health
• Evidence-Based Practice and Research in Pediatrics
• Pediatric Emergency and Acute Care

Program Clinical Requirements

Both MSN and DNP Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) programs require significant clinical practice hours to ensure competency in pediatric care. Clinical requirements typically range from 500 to 1,000+ hours of supervised experience, depending on the degree level. Refer to your program's curriculum for exact clinical hour requirements.

MSN: PNP students in MSN programs generally complete 500-600 clinical hours, emphasizing direct patient care for children in primary care and specialty pediatric settings, such as pediatric clinics, outpatient facilities, and schools.

DNP: DNP programs usually require 1,000+ clinical hours, including time dedicated to advanced roles, leadership, and project-based work focused on pediatric healthcare improvement. DNP students may also complete a clinical residency and undertake a DNP capstone project, demonstrating expertise in pediatric practice and evidence-based care.

These clinical experiences are crucial for developing the skills needed to provide high-quality pediatric care, including diagnostic assessment, critical thinking, and family-centered care.

List of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs

Pediatric nurse programs can be found throughout the country, including the following schools listed below.

Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.