Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (MSN/CAGS)
Overview
The goal of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) programs is to prepare Pediatric Nurse Practitioners who 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 general 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 practice 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. Northeastern’s PNP program is the only graduate nursing program in New England to prepare acute-care PNPs.
The School of Nursing offers the following:
MS in Nursing (MSN) with PNP Specialization
A. TRADITIONAL ENTRY
For students who hold a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN), two concentrations are available:
The Primary Care (PC) concentration prepares students for the role of pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) focusing on well-child care and prevention, and management of common acute and chronic illnesses. Students may study either full-time or part-time. Prepares students to sit for the Pediatric Primary Care PNP certification exam
The Dual Primary/Acute Care concentration prepares pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) students for both primary and acute care roles. Pediatric Acute Care (AC) nurse practitioners are prepared to care for patients with acute, complex acute and chronic, and critical illnesses in a variety of settings. Prepares students to sit for both the Pediatric Primary Care PNP and the Acute Care PNP certification exams. Students may study either full-time or part-time.
B. DIRECT ENTRY
For students who hold a bachelor’s degree, but not a BSN.
The Direct-Entry MS in Nursing (MSN) prepares students for the role of pediatric nurse practitioner focusing on well-child care and prevention, and management of common acute and chronic illnesses. Direct-Entry students are NOT ELIGIBLE TO BE ACCEPTED into the primary care/acute care dual concentration; 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 concentration AFTER REVIEW AND APPROVAL by the Lead Acute-Care PNP Faculty and the PNP Program Director.
3 Certificates of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in PNP
For students who hold an MS degree in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Three certificates are available for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) study:
The Primary Care Certificate prepares graduates to sit for the Pediatric Primary Care PNP certification exam.
The Acute Care Certificate prepares graduates to sit for the Pediatric Acute Care PNP certification exam.
The Dual Primary/Acute Care Certifcate prepares graduates to sit for both the Pediatric Primary Care PNP and the Acute Care PNP certification exams.
Post-Master’s, Acute-Care, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate
For students who:
a) hold an MS degree in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and
b) are already Pediatric or Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) certified in primary care.
Prepares graduates to sit for the Pediatric Acute Care PNP certification exam.
Contact
Associate Clinical Professor & Director
Pediatric NP Program
401A Robinson Hall
[email protected]
Admission Requirements
MSN PNP – Traditional Entry
PREREQUISITES FOR APPLYING
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university
- Current U.S. NCLEX RN license
- 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)
DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT
- Official transcript(s) of ALL college-level study.
- Evidence of successful completion of a statistics course that includes probability theory and hypothesis testing, taken preferably within five years of entering the program, and definitely within 10 years of entering the program (and/or being actively engaged in QI/research projects).
- Three letters of reference submitted through NursingCAS.
- Resume or CV
- 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 should be included. You should explain why NU PNP Program is a good match and you may share any other information that you feel might be useful.
MSN PNP – Direct Entry
PREREQUISITES FOR APPLYING
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT
- Official transcript(s) of ALL college-level study.
- Evidence of successful completion of a statistics course that includes probability theory and hypothesis testing, taken preferably within five years of entering the program, and definitely within 10 years of entering the program (and/or being actively engaged in QI/research projects).
- Three letters of reference submitted through NursingCAS.
- Resume or CV
- 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 should be included. You should explain why NU PNP Program is a good match and you may share any other information that you feel might be useful.
CAGS in PNP
PREREQUISITES FOR APPLYING
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from an accredited college or university
- Current U.S. NCLEX RN license
- 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)
DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT
- Official transcript(s) of ALL college-level study.
- Evidence of successful completion of a statistics course that includes probability theory and hypothesis testing, taken preferably within five years of entering the program, and definitely within 10 years of entering the program (and/or being actively engaged in QI/research projects).
- Three letters of reference submitted through NursingCAS.
- Resume or CV
- 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 should be included. You should explain why NU PNP Program is a good match and you may share any other information that you feel might be useful.
Acute-care PNP graduate certificate
PREREQUISITES FOR APPLYING
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from an accredited college or university, and already a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) or Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certified in primary care
- Current U.S. NCLEX RN license
- Active PNP/FNP experience with primary care PNP competencies (1-year minimum full-time pediatric experience) or graduation from PNP/FNP Program (Primary Care) within past 5 years and a minimum of 2 years’ experience as a RN in a pediatric care setting (for dual and/or acute care candidates need a minimum 2 years’ experience in pediatric acute care setting)
DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT
- Official transcript(s) of ALL college-level study.
- Evidence of successful completion of a statistics course that includes probability theory and hypothesis testing, taken preferably within five years of entering the program, and definitely within 10 years of entering the program (and/or being actively engaged in QI/research projects).
- Three letters of reference submitted through NursingCAS.
- Resume or CV
- 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 should be included. You should explain why NU PNP Program is a good match and you may share any other information that you feel might be useful.
Curriculum
Students may study either full-time or part-time.
Traditional MSN PNP Program
Primary Care Concentration
- Requires 41 semester hours
- Emphasizes well-child care, illness prevention, and management of common acute and chronic illnesses.
- Completion of this concentration allows students to sit for the Pediatric Primary Care PNP certification exam.
Primary/Acute Care Dual Concentration
- 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.
- Graduates are eligible to sit for both the Pediatric Primary care PNP certification exam and the Acute Care PNP certification exam.
Direct-Entry MSN PNP
In the Master’s Specialty Track, students are required to take professional, research, and clinical core courses, prior to enrolling in their specialty clinical courses. Learn more >
CAGS
24+ credits depending on PNP concentration: Primary Care, Acute Care, Dual Acute/Primary Care
Post-MSN PNP Acute-Care Graduate Certificate
16 credits
Sample Schedules
MSN PNP Primary Care
Required Courses and Semester/Clinical Hours
Full-Time
- NRSG 5117 Pharmacology (2)
- NRSG 6115 Health Assessment (3)
- NRSG 5126 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice (3)
- NRSG 6275 Health Promotion and Preventative Care in Pediatrics (4)
- NRSG 6262 Pediatric Pharmacology (2)
- NRSG7105 Translating evidence into practice (3)
- NRSG 5121 Epidemiology and Population Health (3)*
- NSG 7110 Research Applications(2)
- NRSG 5118 Health Care Systems and Professional Dev. (3)
Year 1: Total Credits = 25 Total Clinical Hours = 60-100 (mostly indirect clinical/some direct)
- NRSG 6264 Care of Well Child (3)
- NRSG 6460 Care of Well Child Practicum (5)
- NRSG 6265 Care of Acute and Chronic Child Health Problems (3)
- NRSG 6461 Care of Acute and Chronic Child Health Practicum (5)
Year 2: Total Credits = 19 Total Clinical Hours = 600+
Part-Time
- NRSG 5121 Epidemiology and Population Health (3)*
- NRSG 5126 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice (3)
- NRSG 5118 Health Care Systems and Professional Dev. (3)
- NRSG 7105 Translating evidence into practice (3)
- NSG 7110 Research Applications(2)
Year 1: Total Credits = 14
- NRSG 5117 Pharmacology (2)
- NRSG 6115 Health Assessment (3)
- NRSG 6275 Health Promotion and Preventative Care in Pediatrics (4)
- NRSG 6262 Pediatric Pharmacology (2)
Year 2: Total Credits = 11 Total Clinical Hours = 60-100 (mostly indirect clinical/some direct)
- NRSG 6264 Care of Well Child (3)
- NRSG 6460 Care of Well Child Practicum (5)
- NRSG 6265 Care of Acute and Chronic Child Health Problems (3)
- NRSG 6461 Care of Acute and Chronic Child Health Practicum (5)
Year 3: Total Credits = 16 Total Clinical Hours = 600+
MSN PNP Primary/Acute Care
Required Courses and Semester/Clinical Hours
Full-Time
- NRSG 5117 Pharmacology (2)
- NRSG 6115 Health Assessment (3)
- NRSG 5126 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice (3)
- NRSG 6275 Health Promotion and Preventative Care in Pediatrics (4)
- NRSG 6262 Pediatric Pharmacology (2)
- NRSG7105 Translating evidence into practice (3)
- NRSG 5121 Epidemiology and Population Health (3)*
- NSG7110 Research Applications(2)
- NRSG 5118 Health Care Systems and Professional Dev. (3)
Year 1: Total Credits = 25 Total Clinical Hours = 60-100 (mostly indirect clinical/some direct)
- NRSG 6264 Care of Well Child (3)
- NRSG 6460 Care of Well Child Practicum (5)
- NRSG 6116 Advanced Health Assessment of the Neonate and Infant (3)
- NRSG 6265 Care of Acute and Chronic Child Health Problems (3)
- NRSG 6461 Care of Acute and Chronic Child Health Practicum (5)
- NRSG 6267 Care of the Critically Ill Child (3)
- NRSG 6463 Care of the Critically Ill Child practicum (5)
Year 2: Total Credits = 27 Total Clinical Hours = 900+
Part-Time
- NRSG 5121 Epidemiology and Population Health (3)*
- NRSG 5126 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice (3)
- NRSG 5118 Health Care Systems and Professional Dev. (3)
- NRSG 7105 Translating evidence into practice (3)
- NSG 7110 Research Applications(2)
Year 1: Total Credits = 14
- NRSG 5117 Pharmacology (2)
- NRSG 6115 Health Assessment (3)
- NRSG 6116 Advanced Health Assessment of the Neonate and Infant (3)
- NRSG 6275 Health Promotion and Preventative Care in Pediatrics (4)
- NRSG 6262 Pediatric Pharmacology (2)
Year 2: Total Credits = 15 Total Clinical Hours = 60-100 (mostly indirect clinical/some direct)
- NRSG 6264 Care of Well Child (3)
- NRSG 6460 Care of Well Child Practicum (5)
- NRSG 6265 Care of Acute and Chronic Child Health Problems (3)
- NRSG 6461 Care of Acute and Chronic Child Health Practicum (5)
- NRSG 6267 Care of the Critically Ill Child (3)
- NRSG 6463 Care of the Critically Ill Child practicum (5)
Year 3: Total Credits = 24 Total Clinical Hours = 900+
CAGS
Required Courses and Semester Hours
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 6275 Health Promotion and Preventative Care in Pediatrics (4)
- NRSG 6262 Pediatric Pharmacology (2)
- NRSG 6264 Care of Well Infants, Children, and Adolescents (3)
- NRSG 6460 Care of Well Child Practicum (5)
- NRSG 6265 Primary Care of Infants, Children, and Adolescents with Acute and Chronic Health Care Problems (3)
- NRSG 6461 Care of Acute and Chronic Child Health Practicum (5)
- Elective (2)
Total Semester Hours = 24
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 6275 Health Promotion and Preventative Care in Pediatrics (4)
- NRSG 6264 Care of Well Infants, Children, Adolescents, and Adolescents (3)
- NRSG 6460 Care of Well Child Practicum (5)
- NRSG 6116 Advanced Health Assessment of the Neonate and Infant (3)
- NRSG 6265 Care of Infants, Children, and Adolescents with Acute and Chronic Health Care Problems (2)
- NRSG 6461 Care of Acute and Chronic Child Health Practicum (5)
- NRSG 6267 Care of the Critically III Child (3)
- NRSG 6463 Care of the Critically III Child Practicum (5)
33 Semester Hours
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 6275 Health Promotion and Preventative Care in Pediatrics (4)
- NRSG 6262 Pediatric Pharmacology (2)
- NRSG 6116 Advanced Health Assessment of the Neonate and Infant (3)
- NRSG 6265 Primary Care of Infants, Children, and Adolescents with Acute and Chronic Health Care Problems (3) (must have completed 6264 first)
- NRSG 6461 Care of Acute and Chronic Child Health Practicum (5) (taken with 6265)
- NRSG 6267 Care of Critically Ill child (3) (taken with 6463)
- NRSG 6463 Care of Critically Ill child practicum (5) (taken with 6267)
25 Semester Hours
Curriculum subject to change
Post-Master’s Acute Care Certificate
Prerequisite Courses (or Equivalent) and Semester/Clinical Hours
- NRSG 5117 Advanced Pharmacology (2)
- NRSG 6262 Pediatric Pharmacology (2)
- NRSG 5126 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice (3)
- NRSG 6115 Advanced Health Assessment (3)
- NRSG 6275 Health Promotion and Preventative Care in Pediatrics (4)
- NRSG 6265 Care of the Infant, Child, and Adolescent with Acute and Chronic Health Problems (4)
Prerequisite Total Semester Hours = 18
Required Courses and Semester/Clinical Hours
- NRSG 6116 Advanced Health Assessment of the Neonate and Infant (offered in Fall) (3)
- NRSG 6461 Care of the Infant, Child and Adolescent with Acute and Chronic Problems Practicum (5)
- NRSG 6267 Care of the Clinically Ill Child (3) (take with NRSG 6463)
- NRSG 6463 Care of the Clinically Ill Child Practicum (5) (take with NRSG 6267)
Total Semester Hours = 16
Curriculum subject to change
Experiential Learning
Clinical immersion in advanced nursing practice is a major focus of this program. Our long history of partnering with local and regional hospitals and clinical sites serving diverse and underserved community ensures access to clinical and research opportunities with at-risk pediatric populations. Our many hospital and community affiliations have included:
- ABCD Boston
- Boston Children’s Hospital
- Boston Medical Center
- Hasbro Children’s Hospital
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Franciscan Hospital for Children
- Shriner’s Hospital for Children
- Many primary care and community health care sites
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.
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 GREs 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. GREs 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 master’s 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, for the Traditional MS Entry PNP Program. 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 PNP Concentration and Acute/Primary Care PNP Concentration?
Students in the dual acute/primary care PNP concentration complete the primary care curriculum (41 semester hours) with additional course work (11 semester hours) emphasizing complex acute care and critical care of infants and children. Students in the dual acute/primary care concentration complete an additional 300 direct clinical hours in complex acute/chronic and/or critical care experiences in addition to the minimum 500 direct clinical hours completed during the primary care portion. Students in the dual acute/primary care PNP concentration complete a minimum of 800 direct clinical hours.
How many clinical hours are required and how are they arranged?
A minimum of 600+ precepted direct clinical hours are required for the primary care PNP concentration and a minimum of 900+ precepted direct clinical hours are required for the dual acute/primary care PNP concentration. 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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