Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) treat patients from birth to adolescence and even into young adulthood. Like all NPs in PA, they do not practice independently and must work under the direct supervision of a physician.
Nurses who want to pursue a PNP degree, whether in acute or primary care, have a few options in Pennsylvania, whether they’re looking for on-campus or distance learning.
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Pennsylvania BSN to PNP Programs
BSN-prepared nurses have several options when pursuing a PNP degree in Pennsylvania, including acute and primary care options and doctorate programs for those wanting to advance their education.
Drexel University
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Online + Campus + In-person
Modality: Online with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $1,115 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Drexel offers a few options for nurses hoping to pursue a career as a PNP. The BSN to PNP Acute Care program consists of 57 quarter credits and 720 clinical hours; the BSN to PNP Primary Care program has 52 quarter credits and 640 credits. The university also offers a unique BSN to PNP Acute/Primary Dual role program that is 62 quarter credits and 1,000 clinical hours. There are post-master’s certificates available, too: Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP in Acute Care, Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP in Primary Care, and a Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP Acute/Primary Dual Program.
Thomas Jefferson University
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Hybrid + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 36
Clinical Hours: 750
Tuition: $1,298 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
Thomas Jefferson’s BSN to PNP in primary care allows students to take a combination of online and on-site courses with a mandatory in-person orientation at the beginning of the program at the Center City or Dixon Campus. Students can take more than two classes per term, and each student will create an individual plan of study at the beginning of the program. A Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP program is also available. Course requirements will vary depending on previous experience and education.
University of Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Campus + In-person
Modality: On-campus with in-person clinical
Credit Hours: Varier
Clinical Hours: Unspecified
Tuition: $6,392 per course unit
Program Overview:
The University of Pennsylvania offers multiple options for nurses wishing to pursue a career as PNPs, some of which are not available at any other school in the state. The BSN to PNP Acute/Chronic is 12 courses that can be completed in as little as one calendar year, with classes being held on campus. Penn also offers a BSN to PNP Critical Care concentration that prepares PNPs to work in ICUs, and a year of experience as a pediatric ICU RN is required. This program involves intensive coursework and an eight-month-long clinical preceptorship. The third option is a BSN to PNP Oncology concentration. To apply, RNs must have at least a year working in a pediatric oncology unit, though two years are recommended.
University of Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Varies
Modality: Varies
Credit Hours: Varies
Clinical Hours: Varies
Tuition: $1,231 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
The University of Pittsburgh offers multiple options for pursuing a PNP degree for nurses interested in obtaining a doctorate. It offers a BSN to DNP PNP in primary care and an MSN to DNP PNP in primary care, which are 84 and 37 credits, respectively, with 1000 clinical hours. Pitt also offers an MSN to DNP PNP in acute care, which is 37 credits and 1000 clinical hours. For those who already have an MSN in another concentration, there is also a Post-Graduate Certificate MSN/DNP to PNP in Acute Care, which consists of 18 to 21 credits and 500 clinical hours.
Villanova University
- Villanova, Pennsylvania
- Hybrid + Campus + In-person
Modality: Hybrid with on-campus requirements and in-person clinical
Credit Hours: 45
Clinical Hours: 610
Tuition: $1,050 per credit + fees
Program Overview:
With Villanova’s BSN to PNP in Primary Care program, students can complete the seven core courses in an asynchronous, synchronous, or hybrid format. Upper-level courses and clinical hours are completed in person. Students will work with physicians and nurse practitioners in a wide range of practice settings in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware. Villanova University also offers a Post-Graduate Certificate MSN to PNP in Primary Care, which is 30 credits and 610 clinical hours that can be completed in as little as 18 months.
Online PNP Programs
Due to the nature of the profession, each of these programs requires in-person clinical and some on-campus learning. The most flexible is probably Villanova University, which allows students to take all of their core classes online and doesn’t require campus visits until the clinical portion of the program.
Best PNP Programs in Pennsylvania
It’s difficult to choose the best program, as everyone is looking for something different in their PNP education. The University of Pittsburgh stands out because all of its programs offer doctorate-level degrees. The University of Pennsylvania is also impressive because it offers critical care and oncology specialties.
Pennsylvania’s Most Affordable PNP Programs
The most affordable option for PNP programs in PA is Villanova University, which is $1,050 per credit + fees. The next most affordable is Drexel University at $1,115 per credit + fees.