School of Nursing
 

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

School of Nursing

The goal of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) programs is to prepare Pediatric Nurse Practitioners who are able to provide evidence based, comprehensive, family centered health care to infants, children adolescents and their families. The program provides a broad background of advanced pathophysiology, advanced and pediatric pharmacology and advanced health assessment.  In addition, theoretical basis of best practice and diagnostic clinical reasoning skills are taught and developed as students learn the advanced clinical provider management and technology skills needed to care for children across the continuum of care. The highly immersive hands-on clinical core curriculum is intended to provide PNP students with real-life and/or simulated advanced patient care experiences.

The School of Nursing offers two main tracks for the pediatric nurse practitioner student.The Primary Care (PC) track prepares students for the role of pediatric nurse practitioner focusing on well child care and prevention, and management of common acute and chronic illnesses. The dual track prepares students for the primary care role as well as the acute care role. Pediatric Acute Care (AC) nurse practitioners are prepared to care for patients with acute, complex, critical and chronic illness in a variety of settings. Nurses who possess an MS degree in Nursing are eligible to apply for the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in primary care, acute care or the primary/acute care dual specialization.

Applicants to the Pediatric Nursing program must have successfully completed a statistics course that includes probability theory and hypothesis testing, and taken within 5 years of entering the program.

  • Completion of the Pediatric Primary NP CAGS specialization curriculum allows students to sit for the Primary Care PNP certification exam.
  • Completion of the Pediatric Dual Primary and Acute care NP CAGS specialization curriculum allows students to sit for both the Pediatric Primary Care PNP and the Acute Care PNP certification exam.
  • Completion of the Pediatric Primary NP CAGS specialization curriculum allows students to sit for the Primary Care PNP certification exam.
  • Completion of the Pediatric Dual Primary and Acute care NP CAGS specialization curriculum allows students to sit for both the Pediatric Primary Care PNP and the Acute Care PNP certification exam.
  • Completion of the Pediatric Acute care NP CAGS specialization curriculum allows students to sit for the Acute Care PNP certification exam.

Sample Curriculum

Students may study either full-time or part-time.

The Primary Care Track

  • Requires 41 semester hours
  • Emphasizes well child care, illness prevention, and management of common acute and chronic illnesses.
  • Completion of this program allows students to sit for the Pediatric Primary Care PNP certification exam.

The Primary Care/Acute Care Dual Track

  • Requires an additional 11 semester hours for a total of 52 semester hours.
  • Provides additional emphasis on  management and procedural skills needed to care for acute, complex chronic, and critically ill children and adolescents in a variety of health care settings.
  • Students are eligible to sit for both the Pediatric Primary care PNP certification exam and the Acute Care PNP certification exam.

** Students in the Direct Entry program are NOT ELIGIBLE TO BE ACCEPTED into the primary care/acute care dual track; HOWEVER, pending successful student academic and clinical record and acquiring the minimum required inpatient pediatric RN experience, EXCEPTIONS can be made later in the PNP portion of the program to transfer into the dual track AFTER REVIEW AND APPROVAL by the Lead Acute Care PNP Faculty and the PNP Program Director. **

Nurses who possess an MS degree in Nursing are eligible to apply for the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in primary care, acute care, or the primary care/acute care dual specialization.

Contact Info
Dr. Marketa Rejtarova, Assistant Clinical Prof

Marketa Rejtar, DNP, CPNP-AC/PC
401A Robinson Hall

[email protected]

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • Baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university.
  • Official transcript(s) of ALL college-level study.
  • A minimum of 2 years’ experience as a RN in a pediatric care setting prior to enrolling in clinical core courses (for dual and/or acute care candidates need a minimum 2 years’ experience in pediatric acute care setting prior to enrolling in acute care clinical core courses).
  • An MS degree in Nursing.
  • Successful completion of a statistics course that includes probability theory and hypothesis testing, and taken preferably within 5 years of entering the program and definitely within 10 years of entering the program (and/or being actively engaged in QI/research projects).
  • 3 letters of reference submitted through NursingCAS.
  • Current U.S. NCLEX RN license.
  • Resume or C.V.
  • Personal goal statement briefly describing how you view the future of the field, what your goals are to be part of that future, and what brought you to pursue an advanced education degree in your chosen field. You may include any other information that you feel might be useful.
REQUIRED COURSES AND SEMESTER HOURS

Professional Core
NRSG 5118 Health Care Systems and Professional Role Development (3)
NRSG 5121 Epidemiology and Population Health (3)

Research Core
NRSG 7105 Translating Research Evidence into Practice (3)
NRSG 7110 Evidence Based Practice Research Application (2) (must have completed 7105 first)

Clinical Core
NRSG 6115 Health Assessment (3)
NRSG 5126 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice (3)
NRSG 5117 Pharmacology (2)
NRSG 6262 Advanced Pediatric Pharmacology (2) (must have completed 5117 first)

Primary Care PNP
NRSG 6275 Urban Families at Risk (4) (must have completed 6115 first)

NRSG 6264 Care of Well Infants, Children and Adolescents (4) (must have completed 6275 and 6262 first)
NRSG 6265 Care of Infants, Children and Adolescents with acute and chronic health Problems (4) (must have completed 6264 first)
NRSG 6460 Pediatric Practicum I (4) (taken with 6264)
NRSG 6461 Pediatric Practicum II (4) (taken with 6265)

Additional courses for the Primary Care/Acute Care Dual Track

NRSG 6116 Advanced Health Assessment of the Neonate and Infant (3)
NRSG 6267 Care of Critically Ill Child (4) (taken with 6463)
NRSG 6463 Care of Critically Ill Child Practicum (4) (taken with 6267)

Total 52 SH

REQUIRED COURSES AND SEMESTER HOURS

Professional Core
NRSG 5118 Health Care Systems and Professional Role Development (3)
NRSG 5121 Epidemiology and Population Health (3)

Research Core
NRSG 7105 Translating Research Evidence into Practice (3)
NRSG 7110 Evidence Based Practice Research Application (2) (must have completed 7105 first)

Clinical Core
NRSG 6115 Health Assessment (3)
NRSG 5126 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice (3)
NRSG 5117 Pharmacology (2)
NRSG 6262 Advanced Pediatric Pharmacology (2) (must have completed 5117 first)

Primary Care PNP
NRSG 6275 Urban Families at Risk (4) (must have completed 6115 first)
NRSG 6264 Care of Well Infants, Children and Adolescents (4) (must have 6275 and 6262 first)
NRSG 6265 Care of Infants, Children, and Adolescents with acute and chronic health  Problems (4) (must have completed 6264 first)
NRSG 6460 Pediatric Practicum I (4) (taken with 6264)
NRSG 6461 Pediatric Practicum II (4) (taken with 6265)
Total 41SH

Pre-requisite Courses or Equivalent Primary Care PNP CAGS:
NRSG 5126 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice 3
NRSG 6115 Health Assessment 3
NRSG 5117 Pharmacology 2

Required Courses: Primary Care PNP CAGS
NRSG 6262 Pediatric Pharmacology 2
NRSG 6264 Primary Care of Well Infants, Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults 4
NRSG 6265 Primary Care of Well Infants, Children, Adolescents, & Young Adults with Health Care Problems 4
NRSG 6275 Urban Families at Risk 4
NRSG 6460 Pediatric Practicum I 4
NRSG 6461 Pediatric Practicum II 4
Elective 2 SH
Total 24SH

Pre-requisite Courses or Equivalent Primary Care/Acute Care Dual PNP CAGS:
NRSG 5126 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice 3
NRSG 6115 Health Assessment 3
NRSG 5117 Pharmacology 2

Required Courses: Primary Care/Acute  Care Dual PNP CAGS
NRSG 6262 Pediatric Pharmacology   2
NRSG 6264 Primary Care of Well Infants, Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults 4
NRSG 6265 Primary Care of Well Infants, Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults with Health Care Problems 4
NRSG 6460 Pediatric Practicum 1 4
NRSG 6461 Pediatric Practicum II 4
NRSG 6267 Care of the Critically III Child 4
NRSG 6116 Advanced Health Assessment of the Neonate and Infant 3
NRSG 6463 Care of the Critically III Child Practicum 4
Total 33SH

Pre-requisite Courses or equivalent Acute Care PNP CAGS:
NRSG 5126 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice 3
NRSG 6115 Health Assessment 3
NRSG 5117 Pharmacology 2

Required Courses Acute Care PNP CAGS
NRSG 6262 Pediatric Pharmacology (2)
NRSG 6275 Urban Families at Risk (4)
NRSG 6116   Advanced Health Assessment of the Neonate and Infant (3)
NRSG 6265 Care of Infants, Children, Adolescents with acute and chronic health Problems (4) (must have completed 6264 first)
NRSG 6461 Pediatric Practicum II (4) (taken with 6265)
NRSG 6267 Care of Critically ill child (4) (taken with 6463)
NRSG 6463 Care of critically ill child practicum (4) (taken with 6267)

Total 25 SH

Curriculum subject to change

Experiential Learning

Clinical practice of the advanced nurse is a major focus of this program. Our long history of partnering with local agencies to serve the urban, underserved community ensures access to research and clinical opportunities with at-risk pediatric populations. Our affiliations have included Children’s Hospital Boston, Boston Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Franciscan Hospital for Children, among many. Students also have clinical experiences in neighborhood health centers, health maintenance organizations, child care centers, school-based clinical, homeless shelters and private practices. Working with expert clinicians and supervised by our faculty, students develop the expertise necessary for patient management and advanced nursing practice skills across the care continuum for children and adolescents.

Application Info

Graduate Handbook

School of Nursing Graduate Handbook

Special Student Status

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the application deadline?

The application deadline is March 15 for the following fall admission.  There are no rolling admissions.

What is the GPA requirement and are GRE’s required?

The GPA requirement is 3.0 or higher. Students must provide a transcript showing a grade of B or better for a 3 credit (CR) college statistics course. The statistics course has no expiration date and must include probability and hypothesis testing. GRE’s are not required.

Is work experience required?

A minimum of  one year full time exclusive pediatric RN experience is required to apply and two years of full time exclusive pediatric RN experience is required prior to the start of clinical.  The primary care/acute care dual program of study requires in-patient exclusive pediatric RN experience and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification prior to the start of the acute care clinical.

How many credits can I transfer in from another program?

Students may transfer 9 semester hours from other masters’ level courses from a different institution if not credited to a previous degree. Courses must be approved by the program director.

Can I attend the program on a part time basis?

Yes, however during the final year of the program, students must complete a minimum of 16 hours per week of clinical along with course work.

When are classes offered?

Both the primary care and primary care/acute care dual program are delivered in the traditional, on-ground format.

What is the difference between the Primary Care Track and the Primary Care/Acute Care Track?

Students in the primary care/acute care dual track complete the primary care track (41 semester hours) with additional course work (12 semester hours) emphasizing critical care of infants and children.  Students in the primary care/acute care dual track complete an additional 300 hours of critical care experiences in addition to the 500 hours completed during the primary care portion.  Students in the primary care/acute care dual track complete a minimum of 800 clinical hours.

How many clinical hours are required and how are they arranged?

A minimum of 500 precepted direct clinical hours are required for the primary care track and a minimum of 800 precepted direct clinical hours are required for the primary care/acute care dual program.   Program faculty work closely with partner institutions and students to identify individually appropriate clinical placements.  Every effort will be made to place students in clinical settings within 50 miles of current residence.  Students will need to work with faculty to identify clinical experiences to meet individual student needs.

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