Walden is a top conferrer of nursing master’s degrees in the U.S.
Do you have a passion for working with young patients?
Take an active role in ensuring accessible, high-quality healthcare with Walden’s MSN online pediatric NP program specialization.
In this MSN-PNP program, you’ll learn from practicing NPs as you gain the advanced training to treat patients from birth to age 21. Prepare to assume a greater level of responsibility and deliver direct care with compassion and insight.
We don’t just get you ready for practice—we get you ready for your pediatric nurse practitioner certification exam. Our no-cost, post-MSN PNP graduation test prep readies you to sit for the CPNP-PC exam with confidence.
OUR PRACTICUM PLEDGE® TO YOU
Benefit from our truly collaborative, personalized process to help you ensure a timely and suitable practicum match.
BUILD SKILLS—AND CONFIDENCE
Prepare for real-life scenarios you’ll face in your specialty through supervised clinical experiences and virtual Walden Grand Rounds.
PRACTICUM PREPARATION
Our virtual skills lab provides the training, videos, and guidance you need to succeed in clinical practice.
Curriculum and Completion Requirements
Choose the BSN to MSN track if you are a registered nurse (RN) and have already earned your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
Featured MSN-Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program Courses
Advanced practice nurses must be equipped with an in-depth understanding of pathophysiological disease processes across the lifespan. In this course, students focus on understanding the bio-physiological processes, the deviations from these processes, and an in-depth examination of the scientific concepts related to the biology of disease processes. Advanced practice nursing students build on their knowledge of normal organ systems functioning to help organ systems return to optimal homeostasis. Through knowledge of pathophysiological disease processes, students synthesize the information needed to develop appropriate treatment plans for patients across the life span. Students explore a variety of topics regarding organ system diseases.
A solid foundation in the concepts and principles of drug therapy across the lifespan is essential to the work of advanced practice nurses. This course applies the advanced principles of pharmacology, including pharmacogenomics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics, by analysis of common drug classes prescribed by advanced practice nurses across the life span. Factors influencing successful therapy, such as effectiveness, safety, acceptability, cost, genetic/environmental influences, complementary regimens, and patient behaviors are considered. Through this course, students prepare to examine complex decisions in the management and treatment of selected acute and chronic diseases across the life span through pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic agents. Advanced practice nursing students will have a more in-depth understanding of drug legislation and regulation for prescribing drugs.
The physical and emotional well-being of patients and families can be complex and multifaceted. Advanced practice nurses need to have the knowledge and ability to provide safe, competent, and comprehensive physical health assessments. Students in this course focus on concepts and skills to assess patients across the lifespan. They learn to use diagnostic reasoning, advanced communication, and physical assessment skills to identify changes in health patterns. Students also will explore preventative health through risk evaluation of healthy individuals as a central theme of clinical practice in addition to the assessment of patients with acute and chronic health problems. The advanced skills of reading 12 Lead EKGs, and interpreting X-rays will be covered. Course assignments emphasize risk assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and evidence-based assessment across the lifespan.
This course is designed to provide the pediatric advanced practice nursing student with specialized knowledge needed for the management of complex acute and chronic illnesses in children from birth to young adulthood. There is emphasis on evidence-based approaches to diagnose and treat complex and chronic illnesses in pediatric patients within the family and community systems. Students also integrate knowledge, theory, and clinical practice research from a variety of disciplines into age-appropriate assessment and treatment of children using culturally appropriate strategies for patient and family education.
This introductory course, designed for pediatric advanced practice nurses, introduces students to pediatric development and behavior. The course focuses on developmental and behavioral milestones, family systems, parenting styles, screening, surveillance, and assessment of infants, children, and adolescents. Management strategies, referral options as well as legal, ethical, and policy issues are discussed for children with normal development and behavior. The course also focuses on strategies for promoting wellness through anticipatory guidance of the child and family at each stage of development.
Curriculum and Completion Requirements
Choose the RN to MSN track if you are a registered nurse (RN) entering the MSN program with a hospital diploma or an associate degree in nursing.
Featured MSN-Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program Courses
This course introduces students to the online learning environment and the professional role of the baccalaureate prepared nurse. Course content assists students in recognizing and reinforcing the role of nurses as well-equipped, ethical, empathetic, and well-informed leaders capable of effecting change at various levels. Students will be inspired to reflect on both the future of nursing and practice as change agents.
This course introduces the concepts of evidence-based practice and research principles in nursing. The foundational elements of the research process and understanding of ethical research principles are explored. The concepts are applied to demonstrate their impact on providing safe, quality, patient care in a variety of healthcare settings.
This course addresses the baccalaureate prepared nurse’s role in advancing population health. Students will focus on strategies to reduce health inequities, identify social determinants of health, improve health promotion, and disease prevention for culturally diverse, vulnerable populations; thereby improving the health of local, national, and global communities. Students consider the role of nursing in strengthening population health through effective collaboration across healthcare settings.
This course will explore established and emerging principles of safety and quality improvement science. Students will gain a deeper understanding of how quality is measured, tracked, and improved in healthcare. The objective of this course is to empower the nursing professional to use knowledge and skills in the science of quality improvement and improve clinical outcomes for patients and their families.
In today's rapidly changing healthcare delivery system, decisions made within the political arena impact the future of health delivery systems, healthcare professionals, and the populations they serve. In this course, students examine the policy process and its impact on healthcare delivery, cost, quality, and access. Students examine the importance of getting healthcare issues on federal and state agenda, investigate governmental response through legislation and regulation, and identify where they can advocate for positive outcomes in program/policy design, implementation, and evaluation. Global health issues are examined for their relevance and impact on the development of the nurse advocate. Through discussions, reflection, case studies, and the application of professional communications techniques as political tactics to influence policy outcomes, students demonstrate integration of policy decision-making into professional nurse practice for the benefit of individuals and populations.
BSN to DNP/PhD in Nursing
If you are a registered nurse (RN) and have earned your bachelor’s in nursing degree, you can use these tracks to get started on your doctoral nursing degree.
Personalized Practicum Support
After you register for the Walden University Practicum Pledge® (along with other requirements), if you can’t identify a site and preceptor, our dedicated Field Placement Team partners with you to secure your site and preceptor to help you find a match. This enhanced support gives you added confidence as you start your online MSN program.
Admissions
You’ll work one-on-one with an Enrollment Specialist who’ll guide you through every step—from finding the right program to funding your education.
Streamlined Application Process
Enrolling in an MSN-Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program is a big step toward a brighter future. Walden wants to make it as easy as possible for you by offering:
Easy credit transfer
No application fee
No essay or SAT/ACT requirement
Program Admission Considerations (RN-MSN): Registered nurses who hold a hospital diploma, associate degree in nursing, or bachelor’s degree other than BSN
Program Admission Considerations (BSN-MSN): A bachelor's degree or higher
General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts
- The Technical Standards Policy Form, a statement of understanding of the MSN NP practicum requirements.
- Additional Walden admission criteria required. Contact an Enrollment Specialist for more details.
More information for international applicants.
Tuition Breakdown
An advanced degree should be within reach of all nurses. That’s why Walden offers many ways to lower your MSN-Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program costs, such as:
Easy credit transfer
Special tuition savings
Believe & Achieve Scholarship®
Stay Inspired. Stay on Track. Save Money.
Discover progress-based savings that inspire you to stay on track to graduation.
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 63 quarter credit hours | $785 per quarter hour | $49,455 |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $185 | $1,480 |
| Clinical Course Fee | 4 courses (PRAC) | $160 | $640 |
$51,575* | |||
| BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION | -$6,280 | ||
*Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships, or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 30 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0109.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $1,800 to $2,500; this includes a mandatory clinical skills resource required during NURS/DNRS 6512 at a cost of $299. Students may also incur additional costs related to practicum, including but not limited to costs of travel to their practicum site, practicum onboarding fees, per quarter practicum fees, and liability insurance costs.
† Represents BSN-MSN track, minimum time to completion, and Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 26 RN Foundational quarter credit hours | $435 per quarter hour | $11,310 |
| 63 MSN quarter credits | $785 per quarter hour | $49,455 | |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $185 | $2,035 |
| Clinical Course Fee | 4 courses (PRAC) | $160 | $640 |
$63,440* | |||
| BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION | -$6,280 | ||
*Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships, or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 40 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0109.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $1,800 to $2,500; this includes a mandatory clinical skills resource required during NURS/DNRS 6512 at a cost of $299. Students may also incur additional costs related to practicum, including but not limited to costs of travel to their practicum site, practicum onboarding fees, per quarter practicum fees, and liability insurance costs.
†Represents RN-MSN track, minimum time to completion, and Believe and Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary.
Career Opportunities
An online MSN-Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program equips you with the skills and knowledge you need to pursue NP certification.
Nurse Practitioners
Provide primary or specialty care, working independently or as part of a healthcare team.
Expected growth: 46%1
Estimated annual wage: $94,530–$140,6101
1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls in the MSN-PNP program will obtain a job or will earn the stated salaries. Percentile wage estimates are based on the 10th–75th percentile.
Learning Outcomes
As a graduate of this MSN program with a specialization in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care, you will:
Synthesize organizational/systems leadership for cost-effective specialist nursing practice that contributes to high-quality healthcare delivery, advancement of the nursing profession, and social change.
Critique evidence-based literature drawing from diverse theoretical perspectives and pertinent research to guide decision making that demonstrates best practices for specialist nursing practice in a global society.
Integratively assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate cost-effective healthcare strategies that reduce health disparities by patient/population advocacy for access to specialist nursing care.
Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate using audience-specific oral, written, and information technology for professional delivery of specialist nursing care.
Evaluate health needs of diverse populations for necessary teaching/coaching functions based on specialist nursing knowledge to restore/promote health and prevent illness/injury.
Exhibit ongoing commitment to professional development and value of nursing theories/ethical principles (altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, social justice) in accordance with ethically responsible, legally accountable, specialist nursing practice.
Implement specialist nursing roles to promote quality improvement of patient-centered care in accordance with professional practice standards that transform health outcomes for diverse populations.
Meet Your Academic Team
The College of Nursing faculty at Walden includes active practitioners and thought leaders with many years of experience in the field.
You Might Also Be Interested In
MSN-PNP FAQ
In a primary care setting, pediatric nursing refers to clinic-based medical care where a nurse might see a patient, age birth to 21, multiple times over many years. They may perform care in a number of areas, such as family-centered care, immunization, growth and development screening, and youth mental health intervention. Typically, nurses providing this type of care are advanced-practice nurses trained as primary care pediatric nurse practitioners.
A pediatric nurse practitioner may work in private primary care practices, which in some states can be a practice they own and operate themselves. They also work in community pediatric practices, school-based health clinics, health departments, and urgent care clinics or other ambulatory settings.
There are also pediatric nurse practitioners who specialize in the acute care of children, including treatment of injury or complex acute and unstable chronic medical conditions. Acute care pediatric nurse practitioners typically practice in hospital settings, such as intensive care units, emergency rooms, sub-specialty clinics and more.
According to the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP), these healthcare professionals are “first and foremost, experts in pediatrics and advocates for children.” According to NAPNAP, pediatric nurse practitioners and pediatric-focused APRNs:1
- Treat children from birth through the transition to adult care.
- Practice general pediatrics or specialize in adolescents and young adults or neonatal populations.
- Spend significant time with patients and families, often up to 20 minutes per visit.
- Adhere to each state’s regulatory guidelines for APRN licensure, including practice and prescriptive authority.
- Have full practice and prescriptive authority in 27 states and the District of Columbia that allows them to work independently.2
With an MSN-PNP degree plus the appropriate certification and state licensure, NAPNAP says pediatric nurse practitioners can expect to:1
- Diagnose and treat common childhood illnesses.
- Perform well-child exams and developmental screenings.
- Prescribe medications.
- Screen and manage mental illnesses.
- Manage and help prevent acute, chronic, and critical pediatric diseases.
- Order and interpret results of laboratory and diagnostic tests, X-rays, and ultrasounds.
- Perform school physicals and provide childhood immunizations.
- Advise parents on common child health concerns.
- Provide behavioral counseling to children and caregivers on issues such as improving school performance.
- Work with interprofessional teams to provide evidence-based care for patients with life-threatening illnesses.
- Manage complex and ongoing intensive therapies.
1Source: www.napnap.org/about-pediatric-nurse-practitioners
2Check with your state for updated information on practice and prescriptive authority as information can change.
Step 1: Learn About Certification and Licensure Requirements
Each state has its own requirements, but the majority of states, and many employers, require individuals to be certified by a national certification board. You should complete thorough research of your own state’s requirements, but a master’s-level pediatric nursing education should academically prepare you to sit for the certification exam. This exam is competency-based and tests clinical knowledge in specific focus areas.
Step 2: Choose the Best University for Your Degree Program
Get started by finding the online nursing program that meets you where you are. Walden University, for example, gives you a choice of two tracks to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a specialization in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care. If you are a registered nurse (RN) with a hospital diploma or an associate degree in nursing, choose the RN to MSN track. If you are an RN with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, choose the BSN to MSN track.
Step 3: Choose the Right Specialization
Next, you’ll want to make sure the MSN program you’re considering offers an online pediatric NP program specialization that fits your career goals. Walden offers an MSN program specialization in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care.
Step 4: Confirm the Curriculum Standards
As you plan your MSN-PNP program journey, you will want the most relevant content and curriculum possible. Find out if the content in the online PNP program you are considering is consistent with the standards of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF).
Step 5: Pass Your National Certification Exam
At the completion of an MSN online pediatric NP program, you’ll next need to pass a national pediatric nursing certification exam. With an MSN-PNP specialization from Walden University, you’ll be educationally prepared to sit for this exam.
Step 6: Obtain Your License
A nurse practitioner who is certified by one of the national certification boards has successfully met the requirements for certification by the respective board. Certification boards do not license individuals as NPs. In order for an individual to be licensed as an NP, individuals must meet the requirements as set forth by their state nursing board.
Walden’s MSN-PNP online classrooms feature current learning technologies, media, and support materials. With interactive simulations, engaging case studies, a robust online library, and NP exam prep tests and materials, you will be prepared to pursue your goal of certification.
Yes. For the MSN-Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program RN track, you can transfer up to 40 credits . For the BSN track, you can transfer up to 30 credits. Transferring credits from prior college coursework can help you potentially save time and money on your master’s degree.
Walden is a leader in nursing master’s education in the U.S. The didactic coursework in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program is online, making it possible to earn your degree while you continue to work. In addition students are taught by 100% doctorally prepared faculty in their didactic courses. Students can attend classes on a part-time or full-time basis.
Walden offers exceptional support services that include a robust online library, Student Success Advisors, practicum support staff, career planning and development, and more.
Yes, our online MSN-PNP program prepares you with the academic requirements to sit for the national pediatric nursing certification board exam.
The Walden MSN program offers two completion tracks, based on prior education, for students specializing in PNP primary care. Nurses with a BSN will have fewer courses to complete than nurses who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree.
The BSN to MSN-PNP program track requires 63 quarter credits. Core courses account for 23 credits and the remaining 40 credits are specialization courses.
The RN to MSN-PNP program track requires 89 quarter credits. Nurses will need to complete 26 credits of foundational courses in addition to core courses (23 credits) and specialization courses (40 credits).
Course topics include development and behavior, preventive healthcare, well-child care, and more for patients from birth to age 21. In addition, students will also learn the leadership skills they need to manage a healthcare practice, or own and operate their own practice if that option is available in the state in which they plan to provide care.
The time it takes to become a PNP varies by state and depends on a number of factors. You will first need to obtain an MSN degree with a pediatric NP specialization from a CCNE-accredited program—at Walden you can earn your MSN in as few as 24 months. An Enrollment Specialist can help you determine a likely time frame.
A nursing practicum gives you valuable practical experience by allowing you to apply your new knowledge and skills in real-life situations and settings. Although you’re responsible for initiating your search for a field site based on your location preferences, Walden offers Practicum Pledge®, which provides Student Success Advisor coaching, resources, and self-help tools you need to identify a practicum site and nursing preceptor that fit with your education and career goals.
With our Practicum Pledge®, if you’re unable to identify your own nursing practicum site and preceptor after several attempts (along with additional requirements) our dedicated Field Placement Team will assist in finding you a suitable match.
Yes, Walden University provides continuing education opportunities for pediatric nurses through its School of Lifelong Learning. These include individual for-credit courses and skills-based professional development courses. These courses can potentially help fulfill requirements for continuing education, professional development, certification, or licensure.
Individual for-credit courses are taken from Walden's degree programs and may be transferable toward a Walden degree program. Professional development offerings are non-degree, non-credit courses aimed at acquiring general knowledge, new skills, or enhancing existing skills.
Additionally, Walden offers a Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing with a specialization in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Primary Care, which allows nurses to add a new specialty to their current NP license. This certificate program covers advanced pediatric development and behavior, primary care approaches for children, and advanced pediatric nursing practicums.
Yes. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing (BSN), master’s degree program in nursing (MSN), post-graduate APRN certificate program, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Walden University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).
CCNE is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a national accrediting agency. In 2020, the MSN program at Walden University received a 10-year accreditation reaffirmation through Dec. 31, 2030.
Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.