Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) treat patients from birth through young adulthood. Most programs require students to specialize in acute or primary care. Acute care PNPs typically work in hospitals and in-patient facilities, while primary care PNPs work in clinics and doctors’ offices. Like all NPs in the state, PNPs in Alabama must work under the direct supervision of a physician.
Nurses who want to pursue a PNP degree in Alabama have a few options.
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RN to PNP Programs
RN-to-PNP programs are designed for nurses who have either an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s in a non-nursing field and want to pursue an advanced degree. These programs allow nurses to complete a master’s level nursing program without first having to get a BSN. RN-to-PNP programs are often more convenient and affordable as they streamline the process.
University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Birmingham, Alabama
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person clinicals
Credit Hours: 71
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $682 per credit hour + fees
Program Overview:
This RN to MSN option is designed for nurses with bachelor’s degrees in fields other than nursing who currently work as registered nurses and wish to seek an MSN. Students take several prerequisites and bridge classes to prepare them to enter the master’s level classes. This program is distance-friendly with online classwork, but students must be on campus for skills intensives during the last four semesters of the program.
BSN to PNP Programs
BSN-prepared nurses have a few options if they want to pursue a PNP in Alabama, including doctorate programs for those who want to advance their education even further.
University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Birmingham, Alabama
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person clinicals
Credit Hours: 45
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $682 per credit hour + fees
Program Overview:
The University of Alabama at Birmingham offers two PNP programs. The PNP in primary care prepares students to care for infants, children, and adolescents in clinics, doctor’s offices, and other outpatient centers. Graduates of the acute care PNP program learn to manage care for the pediatric population in in-patient settings. Nurses who choose the acute care route are required to have one year of experience in the direct care of a pediatric population. Both the acute and primary care programs are offered on a part-time basis to accommodate the needs of working professionals. Classes are delivered online synchronously, and students must attend on-campus intensives throughout the program.
University of Alabama at Birmingham DNP
- Birmingham, Alabama
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person clinicals
Credit Hours: 79
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $682 per credit hour + fees
Program Overview:
The University of Alabama at Birmingham also offers a doctorate-level PNP program for both acute and primary care. Classes are offered part-time through a distance-accessible format so that students can continue to work throughout the program. All courses are delivered via an online synchronous model, and students are required to attend an on-campus orientation and annual intensives, where students participate in laboratory and simulation experiences to prepare them for clinicals and their future careers.
University of South Alabama
- Mobile, Alabama
- Online + In-person
Modality: Online with in-person clinical hours
Credit Hours: 45 to 57
Clinical Hours: 600
Tuition: $594 per credit hour + fees
Program Overview:
The University of South Alabama offers PNP pathways in both acute and primary care. Both programs are 45 credits; nurses who have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing discipline are also welcome to apply to these programs but will need to complete three additional courses totaling 12 more credits. Common core classes are offered online, and clinical hours can be completed at sites close to the student’s home. Students can complete classes on a full- or part-time basis, but the program must be completed within five years.
Online PNP Programs
Both the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of South Alabama offer online PNP programs. While the University of South Alabama does not require students to be on campus, the University of Alabama at Birmingham requires students to be on campus for skills intensives during the last four semesters of the program.
Best PNP Programs in Alabama
Both the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of South Alabama have excellent programs, but UAB offers more options and gives students on-campus access to state-of-the-art simulation labs and facilities.
Alabama’s Most Affordable PNP Programs
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is $682 per credit hour, while the University of South Alabama is $594 per credit. While UAB is the more expensive option, it does offer more options than the USA.
Remember that these figures include the cost per credit hour only. Each school has its own fee schedule that will increase the overall cost.