A pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) cares for the medical needs of children from infancy to adolescence. They provide various care, from diagnosing and treating acute illness to managing chronic health conditions.
The state of Ohio has many hospital systems that employee experienced pediatric nurse practitioners. Cleveland Clinic, UH, and Cincinnati Children’s are three large hospitals that have a major focus on the treatment and care of infants and children.
Several PNP programs in Ohio prepare graduates for primary care or acute care roles. A PNP focusing on primary care will likely work with patients in an outpatient environment, like a doctor’s office or community clinic. In contrast, a PNP focusing on acute care generally works with patients in an in-patient hospital setting. Ohio is a Reduced Practice state, so PNPs must establish a Standard Care Arrangement with a collaborating physician. The PNP programs in Ohio listed below offer multiple options for both of these paths. Students interested in other NP specialties can explore PMHNP, AGNP, or NNP programs in the state.
Case Western Reserve University
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Online/On-Campus
Modality: Online/On-Campus
Credit Hours: 40/45
Clinical Hours: 600
Tuition: Between $1,091 and $2,248 per credit
Program Overview:
The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Primary Care at Case Western Reserve is available for part-time and full-time students. Full-time students can complete the program in as little as 18 months over four semesters. The program’s hybrid format allows students to attend some classes online to limit their need to be on campus. Clinical courses are spread throughout the program, and students will complete about 600 clinical hours at various private and hospital-affiliated pediatric practices and specialty clinics.
Case Western Reserve also offers a PNP program specializing in Pediatric Acute Care. This program requires 45 hours of coursework and over 600 clinical hours in pediatric intensive care units and inpatient centers at various sites, including Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, and Akron Children’s Hospital. Students must have at least a year of recent acute care pediatric nursing and PALs certification to be considered for the program. Full-time students can complete this program in two years, while part-time can take three to five years. Distance-friendly options are available that require three to four visits to campus per term. Students can co-major in PNP-Primary Care and Acute Care by taking one additional course and completing 200 additional clinical hours.
Cedarville University
- Cedarville, Ohio
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 45
Clinical Hours: 800
Tuition: $680 to $707 per credit
Program Overview:
Cedarville’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program teaches nursing as a ministry for Jesus Christ. Students complete 12 graduate nursing core semester hours, nine direct care core hours, two applied scholarship core hours, 22 hours of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner specialty courses, and 800 supervised clinical hours.
University of Akron
- Akron, Ohio
- On-campus
Modality: On-campus
Credit Hours: Varies; all programs require 14 nursing core credits
Clinical Hours: not available
Tuition: $462.50 per credit for Ohio residents; $782.50 per credit for non-residents
Program Overview:
The University of Akron offers three options for those wishing to become a pediatric nurse practitioner.
The Child and Adolescent Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Track is 27 to 29 credits in addition to the core nursing requirements. This program focuses on caring for children and adolescents in acute or critical care settings and managing complex and chronic health conditions. This option is a good fit for students who want to work in critical care units, acute care areas of hospitals, or emergency rooms.
The Child and Adolescent Health Nurse Practitioner Primary Health Care Track focuses on primary healthcare needs and prepares students for careers in doctor’s offices and other primary-care settings. This program is 27 to 29 credits, in addition to the core nursing curriculum.
The Child and Adolescent Health Nurse Practitioner Primary/Acute Care Track is 37 to 39 credits in addition to the core classes. Students in this program can go on to work in either primary or acute care settings.
University of Cincinnati
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Online
Modality: Online
Credit Hours: 152 to 158
Clinical Hours: not available
Tuition: $8,359 per semester for residents; $8,509 per semester for non-residents
Program Overview:
The University of Cincinnati offers an online Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program. Students graduate with a doctorate and are prepared to manage care for patients from birth to age 21 in critical care units, emergency rooms, and clinics. The program takes three years to complete full-time.
Ohio State University
- Columbus, Ohio
- Online/On-Campus
Modality: Online/On-Campus
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: 600
Tuition: $972.50 per credit
Program Overview:
Ohio State’s Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program prepares graduates to work in schools, hospitals, clinics, and community-based primary care settings. The program can be completed as a traditional MSN, Graduate Entry MS for non-nurses, BSN to DNP, BSN to PhD, and as a Post-Master’s study. Students can attend either full- or part-time, and some core classes can be taken online. During higher-level courses, students complete 12 to 16 precepted hours a week. Six hundred total clinical hours are required to complete the program successfully.
Wright State University
- Dayton, Ohio
- Online/On-Campus
Modality: Online/On-Campus
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Not available
Tuition: $680 per credit for residents; $1,145 for non-residents
Program Overview:
Wright State offers two options for those who want to be pediatric nurse practitioners. The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care concentration prepares graduates to care for patients in intensive care units, emergency rooms, and other specialty areas. The program consists of 54 credits, which includes nine core nursing credits. The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care concentration has 49 credits, including nine core nursing credits, and focuses on preparing graduates to care for patients in doctor’s offices and community health centers. Students can combine these degrees to become dual-certified in pediatric primary and acute care.
Ohio PNP Program Comparison
The following table compares the six PNP programs in Ohio side by side. Use it to evaluate tuition, credit hours, clinical requirements, and modality at a glance.
| Program | Modality | Credits | Clinical Hours | Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case Western Reserve University | Online/On-Campus | 40–45 | 600 | $1,091–$2,248/cr |
| Cedarville University | Online | 45 | 800 | $680–$707/cr |
| University of Akron | On-Campus | Varies (14 core) | N/A | $462.50–$782.50/cr |
| University of Cincinnati | Online | 152–158 | N/A | $8,359–$8,509/sem |
| Ohio State University | Online/On-Campus | Varies | 600 | $972.50/cr |
| Wright State University | Online/On-Campus | Varies | N/A | $680–$1,145/cr |
PNP Salary in Ohio
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data), nurse practitioners in Ohio earn a mean annual wage of $121,250 and a median wage of $126,740. The national median for nurse practitioners is $129,210. PNPs working in pediatric specialty hospitals and children’s medical centers may earn salaries above the state average, particularly in acute care settings at institutions like Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.
Ohio PNP Licensure and Certification
Ohio is a Reduced Practice state for nurse practitioners. After completing an accredited PNP program, graduates must pass a national certification exam–either the PNCB Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-PC for primary care or CPNP-AC for acute care) exam. To practice in Ohio, PNPs must obtain an APRN license from the Ohio Board of Nursing and establish a Standard Care Arrangement (SCA) with a collaborating physician or podiatrist. Ohio also requires a Certificate to Prescribe (CTP) for prescriptive authority and a DEA registration for controlled substances.
Frequently Asked Questions About PNP Programs in Ohio
How many PNP programs are in Ohio?
There are six accredited PNP programs in Ohio, offering both primary care (PNP-PC) and acute care (PNP-AC) tracks. Schools include Case Western Reserve University, Cedarville University, University of Akron, University of Cincinnati, Ohio State University, and Wright State University.
What is the average salary for a PNP in Ohio?
According to BLS data, nurse practitioners in Ohio earn a mean annual wage of $121,250 and a median of $126,740. PNPs in specialty children’s hospitals may earn above these averages.
Are there online PNP programs in Ohio?
Yes. Several PNP programs in Ohio offer online or hybrid options. Cedarville University and the University of Cincinnati offer fully online programs, while Case Western Reserve, Ohio State, and Wright State offer online/on-campus hybrid formats.
What certification do PNPs need in Ohio?
PNPs in Ohio must pass a national certification exam from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)–either the CPNP-PC for primary care or the CPNP-AC for acute care. Ohio also requires an APRN license, a Standard Care Arrangement, and a Certificate to Prescribe for prescriptive authority.
What is the difference between PNP-PC and PNP-AC?
PNP-PC (Primary Care) nurse practitioners focus on well-child visits, preventive care, and managing chronic conditions in outpatient settings. PNP-AC (Acute Care) nurse practitioners care for children with complex, acute, or critical illnesses in hospital and inpatient settings such as PICUs and emergency departments.