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MSN-PNP Online Program
Pediatric NP – Primary Care

Earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) online and discover the knowledge and skills needed for success as a pediatric nurse practitioner (primary care).

Program Length

20 Mo.

Credits

48

Format

Online

Dual Credit

DNP
calendar

NEXT START March 2nd

Waived Enrollment Fee

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Go from BSN to MSN – Pediatric NP with Herzing University

AccreditationCCNE accredited,1Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Format100% online coursework with hands-on clinical practicum experience
Paying for schoolScholarships and financial aid available for those who qualify; transfer credit from prior college coursework to reduce cost and time
Future pathwaysGraduate with an MSN and become qualified for our online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program; you can earn dual credit towards a DNP. You may also choose a BSN to DNP in Pediatric NP program
Clinicals585 clinical hours—Herzing pledges clinical placement
QuickPathsTransfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University

Learn More Today!

Classes start: March 2nd
US News Best Graduate Nursing Programs 2026

Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best online graduate nursing programs in 2026

Overview: MSN-PNP Degree Program

The MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner degree (BSN to PNP) is a 48-credit graduate program which prepares you for a career as a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner. The degree program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in advanced practice nursing, healthcare of infants, children, and adolescents, clinical decision-making, and much more.

  • Career-focused curriculum

    Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.

  • Flexible schedule

    We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.

  • Virtual services

    Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.

  • Lifelong support

    We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.

  • Rolling admissions

    No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.

Curriculum

MSN-PNP courses & curriculum details

All didactic lecture-style courses are delivered 100% online. You will also be required to complete 585 clinical practicum hours.

We also offer an RN to PNP program for nurses who hold associate degree in nursing. Choose to go from RN to MSN or earn your BSN on the way in our RN to BSN to MSN track. BSN holders may also apply for a BSN to DNP – Pediatric NP program and skip earning an MSN to pursue the terminal degree in nursing. 

ProgramMonths iSemester Credits
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (MSNPNP)2048

i. Average number of months for students to complete program.

Required Core Courses

All courses, 15.00 semester credit hours, are required.

This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to guide students in evaluating healthcare policy issues that impact decision making and outcomes in healthcare. Students will explore healthcare delivery systems and analyze issues which impact the delivery of healthcare and nursing at global, national, and state levels of government. Students will analyze the development, formulation, and implementation of policies and related economic issues that can influence healthcare practice today. In addition, the course includes topics such as the relationship between healthcare providers and patients, insurance policies, quality management, legislative liability issues, ethical decision making, and other policy issues.

This course focuses on the integration, translation, and application of established and evolving theoretical, evidence-based, and disciplinary nursing knowledge as the basis for clinical judgment and innovation in nursing practice. Students examine frameworks for knowledge and propose a practice application informed by leadership principals and ethical decision making.

This course will explore information, communication technologies, and informatics processes used to provide care, gather data, drive decision making, and manage and improve the delivery of safe, high‐quality, and efficient healthcare services in accordance with best practice and professional and regulatory standards. Students will perform an information technology analysis of their practice and develop strategic planning to direct the selection and implementation of new information and communication technologies for their practice setting.

This course applies the principles of best practices, change theory, and improvement and implementation science to the development of innovative solutions for complex health systems to ensure optimal care. Course key concepts include organizational structure, including relationships among macro‐, meso‐, and microsystems across healthcare, and financial and payment models for cost management and reimbursement. Students will engage in a strategic planning initiative for a complex healthcare system which enhances value, access, quality, and cost‐effectiveness, including policy to address health equity and eliminate structural discrimination.

The course focuses on the application, evaluation, and dissemination of knowledge in practice to improve health and transform health care. The processes for the generation, critique, synthesis, and translation of knowledge will be examined. Students will complete human subject protection certification, determine best practices for a specified clinical initiative, and apply evidence to clinical decision making using a framework of evidence-based practice and improvement science.

Required Direct Care Courses

All courses, 9.00 semester credit hours, are required.

This course is an examination of the process of holistic assessment (physical, psychosocial, and cultural) of individuals across the lifespan. Focus is critical thinking and decision-making related to the role of the advanced practice nurse in a primary care setting.

The course examines scientific concepts of pathophysiology essential to diagnostic reasoning and clinical management of common disease states. The dilemma of cost and need for laboratory and radiographic evidence to support diagnosis is examined.

This course is designed to advance the student's knowledge of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics in the management of health and disease states. Major categories of pharmacological agents are examined in the context of the life span, culture, and health and disease states. State and federal regulation related to purchase, possession, administration and patient education about controlled substances, pharmacologic agents and non-pharmacologic agents used as medications are examined.

Required Specialty Courses

All courses, 24.00 semester credit hours, are required.

The focus of this clinical course is on synthesizing theoretical knowledge, evidence-based guidelines and contemporary practices in assessment and management of health and disease states in the pediatric population from birth through adolescence. The context of family-centered care in relation to individual child growth and development, safety, and cultural practices is explored. Health risk identification, health promotion, health maintenance, and treatment alternatives are applied to individuals, families, and populations.

This course is an examination of the processes applicable to clinical decision-making with pediatric patients. Models for clinical decision- making will be presented. An overview of key assessments and the clinical activity categories that impact clinical decision-making will be provided. Application of course concepts will be accomplished through engagement with acute and chronic clinical scenarios. The clinical experience is in the direct patient care setting with an emphasis on the pediatric patient population.

This course focuses on promoting primary preventive health services to improve the health and wellbeing of infants, children, adolescents, and families. Course content incorporates pediatric age specific (0-21 years) evidenced-based health supervision, promotion, and disease prevention with an emphasis on The Bright Futures Guidelines and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations for Preventative Pediatric Health Care. Personal, family, cultural, community, environmental, and social determinants of health influences are also analyzed for their impact on the physical, psychosocial, and emotional health of the pediatric population. The clinical experience is through direct provision of pediatric primary care in a variety of health care settings.

This course focuses on the further development of theoretical knowledge, evidence-based guidelines, and contemporary practice in the assessment, diagnosis, prevention, and management of common acute illnesses and chronic conditions in the pediatric population from birth through adolescence (0-21 years). Building upon the concepts of previous Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) courses, emphasis is on the provision of health care services to promote and support optimal health of children within the context of their family, community, and environmental settings. The clinical experience is through direct provision of pediatric primary care in a variety of health care settings.

This course is an immersion experience into pediatric primary care practice and the role of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. This final precepted practicum will prepare the student to assume the full scope of advanced nursing practice and demonstrate the entry-level core and population focused Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP-PC) competencies. Emphasis is on refining theoretical knowledge, evidence-based guidelines, and contemporary practice in the assessment and management of health and disease states of children from birth through adolescence (0-21 years) in a variety of health care settings and in collaboration with other health professionals.

This course focuses on proficient multidimensional leadership for healthcare. Leadership theory, managing change in complex environments, mentoring, and creating a workplace environment that promotes social justice and equity, self‐care, personal health, and well‐being, and lifelong learning will be emphasized. Students will examine their personal, professional, and leadership development process, and create a three-dimensional advocacy-based approach to provide leadership in for the healthcare, professional, and community arenas.

This course examines the healthcare delivery continuum from public health prevention to disease management of populations and describes collaborative activities with both traditional and non‐traditional partnerships from affected communities, public health, industry, academia, health care, local government entities, and others for the improvement of equitable population health outcomes. For a selected population, students will analyze health priorities and the potential for collaboration and partnerships to provide a basis for interventions, policy, advocate strategy, and emergency preparedness.

Clinical Proficiency Exam and Policy

The following modules are 0.00 semester credit hours associated with the policy outlined above. Students are required to take as co-requisite module along with NU 611, NU 642, NU 664 or NU 671, depending on the program of study. Module Number Module Name  Semester Credit Hours NSG 0600 Clinical Proficiency Module 0.00 NSG 0600R Clinical Proficiency Remediation Module (if needed) 0.00  

Tuition & Cost

Tuition & Cost

The cost of tuition for the MSN-PNP program is $770 per credit.

You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.

Our goal is your career advancement. That’s why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.

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  • Scholarships & Financial Aid

    You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants—including our Nurses Circle of Achievement scholarship, which offers up to 10% tuition reduction.

    Find scholarships and grants  

  • Military/Veteran Discounts

    Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10-20% tuition discount.

    VA/Military benefits  

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Requirements

Admissions requirements

To enroll in Herzing’s online MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program, prospective students must live in a state where Herzing University is authorized to offer the MSN-PNP program, and:

  • Hold a current, active and unrestricted license as a registered nurse (RN) in the same state in which they live. (Note: Holding a multi-state, compact state license and being a resident in a compact license state will be deemed to have met this requirement.)
  • Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited university or college with an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Clinicals

Clinical Experience: Herzing supports your search for a preceptor

Finding a preceptor or clinical location for a PNP program can be a pain point for many prospective nursing students. With Herzing University you are never on your own.

Benefits of the Herzing MSN-PNP program clinical experience:

Strong University guidance

Herzing goes above and beyond to help you find a clinical site. Our Clinical Guidance Process backed by the Herzing APRN Clinical Placement Pledge ensures you are able to secure clinical placement as part of the MSN-PNP program.

You will be ready

Our program includes a Clinical Readiness Course to prepare you for success in the practicum and your clinical experiences during your time here at Herzing University.

Interdisciplinary opportunities

Exposure to diverse pediatric care environments makes you a better, more prepared nurse practitioner. Our priority is your experience to build upon in your new career—the Herzing MSN-PNP program requires a minimum of 585 clinical hours to help ensure you see a variety of pediatric patients. You will earn personalized, valuable clinical experience caring for infants, children and adolescents in times of wellness and illness.

Flexible scheduling

Fitting clinical hours into an already hectic life can be a challenge. In collaboration with your clinical preceptor, you will identify a schedule that works best for you.

We treat you like a professional

You are a student—but in a clinical setting you are accountable to a licensed healthcare provider and their patients. From enrollment to completion, we treat you like the nursing professional you are working so hard to become.

We Pledge Clinical Placement

Worried about clinical placement? You don't have to be.

At Herzing, clinical placement is built into your experience—because it's essential, and you deserve a program that treats it that way.

There's no guesswork. Just a proven framework backed by a promise. Our promise is your placement.

Clinical Guidance Process and Pledge Details

APRN Clinical placement pledge logo
Possibilities

Make your impact as nurse practitioner

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Image
Image

You can greatly expand your scope of practice and find your calling in the pediatric specialty as a pediatric nurse practitioner.

Our curriculum emphasizes primary care skills to prepare you to become a primary caregiver and form long, meaningful relationships with your patients—from infancy through adolescence and even beyond.

The program equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to sit for the Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care (CPNP-PC) certification exam from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).

Job outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners earn an average salary of $132,000 per year ($63.46 per hour).*

Employment of nurse practitioners is expected to rise 40% from 2024-2034, much faster than the average across all occupations.

Begin earning a master’s degree and prepare to join one of the fastest-growing careers in the United States.

Classes Start: March 2nd

Waived Enrollment Fee

Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.

Request Info Apply Now 

Faq

Frequently Asked Questions

Didn't find the answer to your question? Send us an inquiry and we will be happy to answer all your questions!

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The primary difference between pediatric nurse practitioners and family nurse practitioners is the patient population. Pediatric NPs focus their care on only pediatric patients, while FNPs provide care across the lifespan, including adults and elderly patients.

If you are also interested in treating older patients—and not only children—you may choose to work towards becoming a family nurse practitioner.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners across all specialties earn an average salary of $132,000 per year ($63.46 per hour).* Average pay can vary based on many different factors including prior experience, type of medical institution, state of employment, and much more.

Advancing to nurse practitioner allows you to expand your skillset and potentially earn greater autonomy in your work. While both types of nurses work with the pediatric patient population, most of the differences relate to the general difference between the RN and NP roles.

A few of the biggest differences between RN and NPs include:

  • Nurse practitioners can act as a primary care provider, and can potentially spend more time with patients and build longer-term relationships
  • Nurse practitioners can prescribe medications
  • Nurse practitioners can diagnose patients and write treatment plans
  • Nurse practitioners may enjoy a greater work/life balance, as they may have more control over their working schedule

While there are many different types of nurses who work with the pediatric patient population, there are two specific types of pediatric nurse practitioners: primary care pediatric NPs (PNP-PC) and acute care pediatric NPs (PNP-AC).

The PNCB Pediatric Nursing Demographic Report, published in December 2022, states there were 20,254 certified CPNP-PC professionals and 4,419 certified CPNP-AC professionals. Most CPNP-PCs work in private practice, while most CPNP-ACs work in inpatient treatment at children’s hospitals.

Working with kids can be incredibly rewarding—particularly for primary care pediatric NPs who can help their patients have a healthy childhood and grow from infancy, through adolescence, and into adulthood.

Even within pediatrics alone you’ll encounter great patient diversity in the age range from birth to roughly 21 years old. Every day will bring new challenges with young people at different stages of development and health issues for you to solve.

Kids are fun!—and some of the most determined, impressive patients you’ll ever work with.

The biggest step to becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner is to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in a PNP concentration. The basic steps include:

  1. Understand the role of a PNP
  2. Become an RN (if you aren’t already)
  3. Choose primary or acute care
  4. Enroll in an MSN program
  5. Get certified
  6. Meet all state requirements
  7. Find your first PNP job

A pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) is a specialized Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who cares for newborns, infants, toddlers, adolescents, and young adults.

Because their patients range in age from infants to young adults, PNPs work with both the patient and their family to provide the right resources and care, including education and emotional support.

Learn more about the general roles and responsibilities of pediatric nurse practitioners.

This will depend largely on the board of nursing stipulations in your state. In some instances, it may be permissible for PNPs to see patients past the 18-21 age range who are typically transitioning from pediatric to adult care.

Current RNs can potentially become a pediatric nurse practitioner in 2-3 years.

  • Associate degree RNs can complete our Accelerated RN to MSN-PNP program in as few as 28 months
  • Bachelor’s degree RNs can earn an MSN-PNP in as few as 24 months, or 2 years. BSN nurses may also elect a BSN to DNP-PNP program, which can be completed in as few as 32 months.
  • Master's degree RNs can earn a post master's certificate in as few as 20 months

For those who have yet to become an RN, you’ll need additional time to first earn an associate, bachelor’s, or master's degree in nursing before pursuing an MSN.

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The Student Experience at Herzing

I love Herzing University because they gave me the opportunity to further my education and reach my goal of becoming a registered nurse (RN).
Barbara Allen-Johnson
Nursing | Orlando Campus
Growing up, I always had a passion for helping people, especially the elderly and young. Years later, I started pursuing my bachelor’s degree in nursing at Herzing University, and now here I am a nursing graduate!
Aminata Kuyateh
Nursing | Atlanta Campus
I wanted to get into a new career that I would enjoy and that was also rewarding. I've always enjoyed helping others and have been fascinated by the human body, so I knew that nursing was right for me.
Brian Franks
Nursing | Akron Campus
The faculty here is outstanding. It's what I value the most about being at Herzing. Not only are they caring but they're good at what they do.
Jessica Smith
Nursing
What I liked most about my experience at Herzing University were the faculty members. They made it feel like it was family here.
Wanda Colon
Nursing | Orlando Campus
Disclosures

Accreditation & Disclosures

1. The master's degree program in nursing at Herzing University Madison is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin.

Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

View Herzing University Accreditation and Approvals

* 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.

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Choose your NP pathway

Choose your NP pathway

Considering all of your options for nurse practitioner specialties?

Herzing University offers multiple nurse practitioner programs for current nurses holding an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree in nursing.

Our goal is to help you walk your career path no matter where you are, or where you want to go.

Explore Herzing NP programs

Classes Start: March 2nd

Waived Enrollment Fee

Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.

Request Info Apply Now