Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) treat children of all ages, from birth to adolescence and even into young adulthood. Like all NPs in California, they have a pathway to independent practice, which can open up a lot of possibilities for their careers.
Nurses who want to pursue a PNP degree have a few options in California, including DNP options.
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BSN to PNP Programs
Nurses with BSN degrees have several options when looking for a PNP program in California. The following programs offer various pathways to enter this profession.
Azusa Pacific University
- Azusa, California
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 55 units
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $860 per unit + fees
Program Overview:
The PNP program at Azusa Pacific University is unique because it prepares graduates to work as NPs, providing direct patient care in schools. The BSN to PNP with School Nurse Credential qualifies graduates to establish, maintain, and coordinate a comprehensive school health program. For nurses who already have an MSN, the school also offers a Post-Graduate MSN to PNP Primary Care, which is 33 to 37 units.
California State University, Long Beach
- Long Beach, California
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: units
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $3,804 full time for residents + fees, $3,084 full time + $420 per unit + fees for non-residents
Program Overview:
If you’re looking for a DNP program, consider the BSN to DNP PNP Primary Care track at California State University, Long Beach. This is a full-time program that takes three years to complete. Classes are offered in a hybrid format with 15-week synchronous and asynchronous sessions. Coursework is divided into three components: 15 core courses, five clinical specialty courses, and four doctoral project classes.
Loma Linda University
- Loma Linda, California
- Hybrid + Campus + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 78 units
Clinical Hours: 1,000
Tuition: $139,834 for the entire full-time program + fees
Program Overview:
Loma Linda University offers two options: a BSN to DNP PNP Acute Care track and a BSN to DNP PNP Primary Care track. Students can complete either program in three years full-time or five years part-time. Some of the coursework is done online, but students must come to campus for four to eight hours during Seminar Week every quarter. Clinical courses meet on campus four times a semester, and skill courses meet weekly, so there are a good amount of on-campus requirements.
University of San Diego
- San Diego, California
- Campus + In-person
Modality: On-campus with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 82
Clinical Hours: Not specified
Tuition: $1,800 per unit
Program Overview:
The Dual FNP/PNP DNP program is ideal for nurses who want to pursue a DNP and make themselves more marketable. This program prepares students to sit for the FNP and PNP exams. This campus-based program requires at least two days a week of in-person learning. Full—and part-time options are available, and students can complete the program in three to five years.
University of California, Los Angeles
- Los Angeles, California
- Unspecified
Modality: Unspecified
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $32,932 per year for residents, $45,177 per year for non-residents
Program Overview:
UCLA offers three PNP options for nurses wanting to pursue this career. The BSN to PNP Acute track is 79 units with 840 total clinical hours, divided between labs and direct patient care, and the BSN to PNP Primary track is 68 units and 720 total clinical hours. UCLA also offers a unique BSN to PNP Dual Specialty Acute/Primary track that prepares nurses to work in just about any care setting. It’s 88 units with 1,260 total clinical hours.
University of California, San Francisco
- San Francisco, California
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Not specified
Clinical Hours: Not specified
Tuition: $54,636 per year for residents, $69,738 per year for non-residents
Program Overview:
The University of California, San Francisco, offers a BSN to PNP DNP Acute Care track and a BSN to PNP DNP Primary Care track. These programs are designed to be completed in three years of full-time study, but part-time options are available. Most classes are hybrid at the start of the program, and students will have minimal on-campus requirements. In the second and third years, students will spend most of their time in clinical or on-campus specialty-focused courses.
University of San Diego
- San Diego, California
- Campus + In-person
Modality: On-campus with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 82
Clinical Hours: Not specified
Tuition: $1,800 per unit
Program Overview:
The Dual FNP/PNP DNP program at the University of San Diego is an excellent option for students looking for a career that offers many opportunities. This doctorate program prepares graduates for both the FNP and PNP exams so they can work with patients of all ages. This campus-based program requires at least two days a week of in-person learning and can be completed in as little as three years.
Online PNP Programs
All NP programs have an in-person clinical requirement, and most have on-campus classes or intensives. If you’re looking for a program with the least amount of in-person requirements, consider the options at Azusa Pacific University, California State University, Long Beach, and the University of California, San Francisco.
Best PNP Programs in California
The best PNP program for you will depend on the degree and experience you’re looking for, but the ones that really stand out are those that offer dual degrees, including BSN to PNP with School Nurse Credential at Azusa Pacific University and the Dual FNP/PNP DNP program at the University of San Diego.
California’s Most Affordable PNP Programs
It can be challenging to determine which program is the most affordable, as each school has its own fees and breaks down costs differently. The most affordable option per unit is Azusa Pacific University.