Latest 
Career Development Denise Alexander, BS, MA
Recent Blog Posts
Career Development Denise Alexander, BS, MA Caring for Our Littlest Patients: Become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Herzing Staff May 30, 2023
Being responsible for and working with your community’s youngest and most vulnerable patients are some of the greatest privileges you can have as a healthcare professional. As a pediatric nurse practitioner, you have the opportunity to significantly impact the lives of children and their families. From major surgeries to annual checkups, PNPs provide the emotional support and high-quality care that healthcare’s youngest patients deserve.
The MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner degree (BSN to PNP) is a 48-credit graduate program that prepares you for a career as a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner. Learn more about this rewarding nursing specialty, and how you can start your journey.
What is a PNP?
PNPs perform a wide range of duties for adolescent patients, including physical examinations, diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, managing chronic conditions, and prescribing medications. PNPs also provide valuable health education and counseling to young patients who may be struggling to understand their situation. As a PNP, you’ll be a source of information, medication, motivation and support, something that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Four Cs Every PNP Should Have:
- Clinical expertise: PNPs must possess clinical expertise in pediatric care. You’ll be responsible for demonstrating the skills you learned in your MSN-PNP program, applying what you acquired in both the classroom and in clinicals. After earning your PNP, you should be able to diagnose and treat a wide range of acute and chronic conditions confidently.
- Communication skills: Effective communication is critical in every nursing specialty, especially PNPs. Since you’ll be communicating with a wide variety of people with a wide variety of communication skills and abilities, it’s imperative that you possess the proper skills to adapt to these high-stress situations. You should be able to explain complex medical information in a way that is easy to understand.
- Compassion: Possibly one of the most important traits to possess as a PNP, compassion is what will elevate the quality of care you provide and the effectiveness of care felt by patients. PNPs work with children and their families during some of the most vulnerable times of their life, which requires immense emotional maturity.
- Cultural competence: Now more than ever, healthcare workers must demonstrate awareness and sensitivity to biases within the system. PNPs should be culturally competent to work with patients from diverse backgrounds. You will be trusted to understand the impact of culture on healthcare beliefs and practices, providing care that is respectful and sensitive to the needs of each unique individual.
Career Opportunities For PNP Graduates
Earning your MSN-PNP opens a variety of career opportunities and pathways, each supporting long-term professional career goals for growth and development. With their specialized knowledge and skills in pediatric care, PNPs can pursue:
- Clinical Practice: Many PNPs choose to work in clinical practice settings, such as hospitals, primary care clinics, or private practices. In these roles, they provide direct patient care to children, diagnose and treat illnesses, and manage chronic conditions.
- Leadership and Administration: For PNPs who are interested in healthcare management, leadership and administration roles can be an excellent option. These roles may include positions such as nursing directors, program managers, or healthcare administrators. In these positions, PNPs can use their clinical expertise to guide healthcare policies and procedures and improve patient outcomes.
- Nursing Education: As a nurse educator, you can support healthcare teams by teaching nursing students or serving as clinical instructors. This is an excellent opportunity for PNPs to make a difference in the lives of future nurses while also staying up to date with current developments in pediatric care.
- Research and Academia: If you’re someone who loves to learn, explore the opportunity to pursue a career in research and academia. In this role, you’ll research organizations, academic institutions, or healthcare systems, conducting research studies and publishing research findings. These roles are essential in advancing the field of pediatric care and improving patient outcomes.
Herzing’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program is an exciting opportunity for healthcare professionals to specialize in a field where they are positively impacting the lives of some of healthcare’s youngest patients. With a focus on clinical expertise, communication skills, compassion, and cultural competence, PNPs can make a significant impact on the health and well-being of children and families. Get started today!
Learn More About Our Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program
BLS pay estimates calculate the median annual wage for various occupations. Per the BLS the median wage for an occupation is: "The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount, and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey." Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024. BLS median wage estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geographic market in which you want to work, and degree level and field, will affect career outcomes, including starting salary and earnings as an experienced employee. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the median salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, particular wage or salary, or other career growth.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Get the latest news you need to know, from study hacks to interview tips to career advancement. Have it delivered right to your inbox biweekly.