A Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who specializes in providing care to infants, children, adolescents, and young adults, typically up to age 21. They focus on preventive care, promoting growth and development, and treating acute and chronic health conditions unique to pediatric patients and tailored to different stages of childhood.
PNPs earn an average of $137,000 a year, which is slightly higher than the NP average of $132,050. According to the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB), there are about 26,200 certified PNPs, including acute care PNPs, primary care PNPs, and dual-certified PNPs.
PNP vs NP
PNPs are nurse practitioners (NPs) who have specialized training in caring for pediatric patients, while other types of NPs focus on different populations or specialties.
NPs are APRNs who are trained to assess patients, prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, and manage treatment. Their training focuses on a particular patient population. Other NP specialties include Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP), and Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP).
What Does a PNP Do?
PNPs provide comprehensive care to children, from birth all the way to young adulthood. They tailor care to the physical, emotional, and developmental needs of each patient, conducting well-visits, administering immunizations, monitoring growth and development, and diagnosing common childhood injuries and illnesses.
In addition to providing primary care, PNPs also manage chronic conditions, like congenital disorders, diabetes, and developmental delays. They educate families and caregivers on preventative care, nutrition, and safety, and work with pediatricians and other professionals to ensure their patients have access to appropriate care and resources.
PNP Responsibilities
PNPs deliver developmentally-appropriate, family-centered care in a number of ways. Specific responsibilities include:
- Performing well-child exams and developmental screenings
- Diagnosing and treating acute childhood illnesses
- Managing chronic conditions
- Administering immunizations
- Administering preventive care
- Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests
- Prescribing medications
- Developing and implementing treatment plans
- Educating families on growth, nutrition, and safety
Scope of Practice
The scope of practice for a PNP, like that of any NP, is defined by the state where they practice. Some states offer full practice authority, allowing a PNP to practice independently, including diagnosing and treating patients and prescribing medications, without physician supervision. In reduced- or restricted-practice states, PNPs have varying levels of independence and must collaborate with or work under the supervision of a physician.
Where Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Work?
PNPs work in a variety of healthcare settings, providing care for infants, children, and adolescents up to age 21. Their training allows them to practice in both general and specialty pediatric settings, including:
- Hospitals – PNPs are qualified to provide inpatient pediatric care, specialty consultations, and acute treatment.
- Physician Offices and Pediatric Clinics – Whether they practice independently or under the supervision of a physician, PNPs can deliver routine primary care, well-child visits, and follow-up care.
- Outpatient Care Centers – In outpatient centers, PNPs treat minor illnesses and injuries and manage same-day pediatric concerns.
- Specialty Clinics – Some PNPs focus on a subspecialty, such as cardiology, endocrinology, oncology, or pulmonology, and provide care in specialty clinics.
- Community Health Centers – PNPs can also work to serve underserved populations with accessible pediatric care.
- School-Based Health Clinics – Some PNPs may choose to provide preventive and primary care services within school settings.
PNP Salary & Career Outlook
PNPs earn an average of $137,000 a year, which is slightly higher than the NP average salary of $132,050. Employment for NPs in general is projected to grow by 34% over the next decade, indicating a strong career outlook for PNPs.
How to Become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Becoming a PNP requires an advanced nursing degree, extensive clinical education, passing a certification exam, and acquiring state licensure. Here is a brief outline of the steps.
Become a Registered Nurse
The first step to becoming a PNP is to become a registered nurse. The most straightforward path is to earn a BSN degree from an accredited nursing program. A BSN provides the foundational knowledge that PNP programs build on and generally makes it easier to enter a PNP program. That said, there are options for nurses with either an associate’s degree or a diploma.
Gain Experience as a Registered Nurse
After passing the NCLEX-RN exam, many aspiring PNPs gain clinical experience working with pediatric patients before pursuing a graduate degree. They may work in pediatric hospitals or units, neonatal units, or community health settings to strengthen their skills and make them more competitive for PNP program admission. Some PNP graduate programs may require a year or two of pediatric experience, but this is not always the case.
Complete an Accredited PNP Graduate Program
The next step is to complete an accredited master’s or doctoral-level PNP program. These programs include advanced coursework in growth and development, pediatric health, pediatric pharmacology, and health assessment, along with extensive clinical training caring for children across multiple age groups.
Pass the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam
After completing an advanced-level PNP program, graduates must pass a national certification exam. The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) offers two PNP exams: the Primary Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-PC) Exam and the Acute Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-AC) Exam.
Obtain State Licensure
After graduating from a graduate program and passing a certification exam, PNPs must apply for a state licensure to practice. Licensing requirements vary by state, with some requiring collaborative agreements, background checks, and separate applications for prescriptive authority.
Maintain Certification and Continuing Education
PNPs must also complete continuing education requirements and renew their licenses and certifications to maintain their credentials. The details and requirement vary by state. Ongoing education ensures that practicing PNPs remain current with pediatric guidelines and evidence-based practices, ensuring all patients receive exceptional care.
FAQs about PNPs
Becoming a PNP can be a promising career for an RN interested in becoming an NP with experience working with, or a calling to work with, pediatric patients. This is a rewarding and in-demand field that offers strong job security and competitive pay.
No, a PNP is one of the many NP specialties. PNPs are NPs who have a specialized focus on caring for pediatric patients. They are not higher than other NPs but have a specific focus on caring for pediatric patients.
Physician assistants (PAs) and PNPs both provide high-quality, evidence-based care. The primary difference between the two is that PNPs are nurses trained to provide advanced care to pediatric populations. In contrast, PAs are trained within the medical model and can work across many specialities, including pediatrics.
PNPs can provide high-quality, evidence-based care within their scope of practice, but they do not have the same level of training as pediatricians. PNPs also do not have the same level of authority as doctors, but they often collaborate with them to deliver comprehensive, tailored care.