Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PACNP) Programs
What is a Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PACNP)?
In the United states nurse practitioners are also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). There are several NP specialty programs to choose from. Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (PACNP) specialize in caring for infants, children, and adolescents with complex, acute, or critical health conditions. PACNPs diagnose, treat, and manage patients in settings like pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), emergency departments, and specialty hospitals. They focus on short-term illness, injury, and exacerbations of chronic conditions, often working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
In many U.S. states, PACNPs practice independently, which expands access to care in both urban and rural areas. However, the scope of practice can vary depending on the state. For example, some states are considered full practice, allowing PACNPs to operate independently, while others are reduced or restricted practice, requiring physician supervision or collaboration.
Where do Pediatric Acute Care NPs work?
A variety of settings, and this varies by state of course. Some examples include:
Pediatric intensive care units
Emergency departments
Hospital inpatient units
Specialty clinics: e.g. oncology, hematology
How do I become a Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner?
If you are thinking of becoming an PACNP, I highly recommend reading this post on different pathways to become an NP. After getting a BSN, you need to become a registered nurse. From there, gain as much experience as possible. If you decide to pursue an PACNP degree, most programs will mandate you have acute care pediatric experience - so it’s important to look ahead to the future to ensure your RN experience is relevant for any future NP program. There are many different degree pathways to become an NP. Here is a visual representation of what your journey may look like:
PACNP Curriculum
Each program consists of a combination of clinical and non-clinical course work, plus clinical placements. Here is an example of the University of Rochester School of Nursing MSN curriculum (snap shot):
Professional core courses
NPG 404 Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology
NPG 406 Advanced Pharmacology
NPG 410 Advanced Health Assessment
Clinical specialty courses:
NUR 433 Pediatric Acute Care NP I
NUR 434 Pediatric Acute Care NP II
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Becoming a PACNP - Different Tracks to Choose: MSN, post-masters certificate, and DNP
In the United states, there are several APPCNP programs. But first, it’s important to define some terms:
BSN: bachelor's of nursing science (undergraduate degree)
MSN: masters of nursing science (masters graduate degree)
MN-NP: combined maters + nurse practitioner degree (masters graduate degree)
DNP: doctor of nursing science (some schools offer with an NP specialty) (doctoral graduate degree)
Post-masters certification: an additional certification (like an NP speciality) someone gets after completing a masters of nursing degree
When applying for an PPCNP program, there are 4 tracks offered. Not all universities offer every track:
Master of Science in Nursing with an NP specialty (MN-NP or MSN)
Post-masters NP (sometimes referred to as post-masters certificate)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-DNP) with an NP specialty
Masters of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (MSN-DNP) with an NP specialty
Let’s break these down:
MN-NP programs: these are for students who do not have a master’s degree in nursing. Courses are a blend of masters & clinical courses, to prepare you to become an NP.
Post-masters programs: you require a master’s degree in nursing to apply for a post-masters program. Programs focus on core NP clinical courses to prepare you to become an NP.
BSN-DNP with an NP specialty: This is an advanced, doctoral-level nursing program for Registered Nurses (RNs) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) who want to become a specialized Nurse Practitioner (NP). These programs are typically longer e.g. 3-4 years.
MSN-DNP with an NP specialty: This is an advanced, doctoral-level nursing program for Registered Nurses (RNs) with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) who want to become a specialized Nurse Practitioner (NP). These programs are typically longer e.g. 3-4 years.
The path you choose will be unique to you. Personally, I pursued an MSN in nursing, then went on to do a post-masters certificate. Some people decide to go right from a BSN degree to a doctoral level NP program (DNP), designed for hands-on clinical practice and leadership, with an emphasis on translating research and evidence into improved patient outcomes (this is different from a PhD in nursing). Now let’s get into different program offerings across key states.
Most programs offer part and full time options.
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PACNP) Programs- there’s lots to choose from!
While several states offer PPCNP programs, I will focus on the following states that offer several program options: California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PACNP) Programs California
| University | Program Tracks Offered | Delivery Format |
|---|---|---|
| Azusa Pacific University | MSN, Post-Masters | In person / campus |
| California State University, Long Beach | BSN → DNP | — |
| Loma Linda University | BSN → DNP | Hybrid |
| University of California, Los Angeles | BSN → DNP dual primary care / acute care | Hybrid |
| University of San Diego | BSN → DNP dual primary care / acute care | In person |
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PACNP) Programs Florida
| University | Program Tracks Offered | Delivery Format |
|---|---|---|
| Florida International University | MSN, Post-Masters, BSN → DNP | Hybrid |
| University of Florida | BSN → DNP (Primary Care / Dual Primary-Acute) | Hybrid |
| University of South Florida | MSN, BSN → DNP | Hybrid |
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PACNP) Programs Illinois
| University | Program Tracks Offered | Delivery Format |
|---|---|---|
| Rush University | BSN → DNP | Online |
| University of Illinois Chicago | BSN / MSN → DNP | Hybrid |
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PACNP) Programs New York
| University | Program Tracks Offered | Delivery Format |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia University | BSN / MSN → DNP | In person |
| NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing | MSN, Post-Masters | In person |
| University of Rochester School of Nursing | MSN, Post-Masters | Online |
| Stony Brook University, SUNY | MSN, Post-Masters, MSN → DNP | Online |
| Molloy University | MSN, Post-Masters, BSN / MSN → DNP | Hybrid |
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PACNP) Programs Ohio
| University | Program Tracks Offered | Delivery Format |
|---|---|---|
| Kent State University | MSN, BSN / MSN → DNP | Hybrid |
| Wright State University | MSN, Post-Masters | Online |
| Cedarville University | MSN, BSN / MSN → DNP | Online |
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PACNP) Programs Oregon
| University | Program Tracks Offered | Delivery Format |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) | BSN → DNP | Hybrid |
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PACNP) Programs Pennsylvania
| University | Program Tracks Offered | Delivery Format |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Jefferson University | MSN, Post-Masters | Online |
| Drexel University | MSN, Post-Masters | Online |
| University of Pennsylvania | MSN | Hybrid |
| Villanova University | MSN, Post-Masters | Hybrid |
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PACNP) Programs Texas
| University | Program Tracks Offered | Delivery Format |
|---|---|---|
| University of Texas at Arlington | MSN, Post-Masters (Primary Care & Dual Primary/Acute) | Hybrid |
| Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | MSN | Online |
| Texas Woman’s University | MSN | Hybrid |
| University of Texas at Austin | MSN, Post-Masters | In person |
| Baylor University | BSN → DNP | Online |
| University of Texas El Paso | MSN, Post-Masters | Online (with up to 3 on-campus sessions/semester) |
Pre-Requisites for Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PACNP) Programs
Specific pre-requisites vary across universities and programs, but commonly, here is what you will need for a successful application:
Bachelor of science in nursing degree (BScN)
A masters of science in nursing degree (MScN) if applying for a post-masters certificate program, and some DNP programs that do not offer the direct entry from BSN
RN license in the respective state
Minimum GPA of 3.0
RN experience – the more the better! For most PACNP programs, many universities require 1-2 years full time RN experience in a critical care/emergency pediatric setting within the last 3-5 years.
Official transcripts.
A CV/resume
Statement of interest
2-3 academic +/- clinical references
Others: many require an undergraduate statistics course completion with a grade of B or C
Online Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PACNP) Programs
Many universities offer online PACNP programs, both full and part time. Several highlight the need for a few on-campus “intensives.” Intensives are hands-on workshops that bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. These immersions are held at the university's physical location, are guided by expert faculty, and focus on refining advanced clinical skills.
👉 Read this post for more information about online PACNP programs.
Key Take home Points:
Do your research on NP programs.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to university admissions offices to ask questions about the program or admission process.
Talk with nurse practitioners who have been through this process already.
Think about what you want out of your career (Do you want a serious challenge with career growth potential?)
The NP program (and career in general!) is intense and will probably be the steepest learning curve of your life. Don’t let this intimidate you – check out our newsletter to kick-start your NP journey.