School of Nursing

PNPAC

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care

The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care (PNP-AC) concentration post-baccalaureate DNP (BSN to DNP) program of study consists of 90 credit hours and includes a three-year plan of study preparing graduate nursing students to care for children with complex chronic, acute, and critical illnesses across the pediatric age spectrum (from birth to young adulthood). The plan of study is based on the Population -Focused Nurse Practitioner Competencies for the acute care pediatric nurse practitioner (NONPF, 2013), the NP Core Competencies (NONPF, 2017) and the DNP Essentials (AACN, 2006). The practicum includes a variety of clinical experiences and settings designed to develop the student's competency in the complex management of pediatric patients who may be physiologically unstable, technologically dependent, or are highly vulnerable to complications in an effort to restore/maximize optimal health or provide palliative care.

Students in this program will achieve the DNP program outcomes by building on the baccalaureate level pediatric nursing content and the student's clinical experience as a staff nurse in an acute care pediatric setting. The primary teaching-learning practices used in this program are seminars, case studies/discussions, skills lab, simulation and practicum experiences. Practicum focuses on developing clinical competency in the role and scope of advanced pediatric nursing practice under the guidance of program faculty and direct supervision by approved preceptors.

Choose a Pathway:
I earned a BSN degree

BSN-DNP Concentrations

Dual Concentrations

Advanced Specialties

Note: The BSN-to-DNP pathway for NP concentrations are each nine semesters in length and are designed to build upon the BSN curriculum. The curriculum integrates DNP competencies throught each course while devloping the RN with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to engage in autonomous NP practice within selected population-focused concentrations.

I earned a MSN/MN degree

Post-Masters-DNP in the same role and population as master's degree and current certification

Post-Masters-DNP to add a new APRN role or population to current certification

  • AGACNP
  • AGPCNP
  • PNP-AC
  • PNP-PC
  • PCFNP
  • PMHNP

Advanced Specialties

Note: Applicants who have earned a Master's degree without an APRN concentration (e.g. clinical nurse leader, healthcare management, nursing education) should apply via the BSN-DNP pathway.


Melissa Nunn  
Melissa Nunn, DNP, APRN, MSN, CPNP-PC
Coordinator BSN-DNP Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care concentration