Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) treat patients from birth to adolescence and even into young adulthood. Like all NPs in PA, they must complete a collaborative agreement period before practicing independently. Pennsylvania became a Full Practice Authority state in 2025 under Act 68, allowing NPs to practice independently after a three-year collaborative period.
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.
Pennsylvania BSN to Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (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.
Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Mercy University offers a CCNE-accredited MSN with a Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) concentration. The online program prepares students to provide primary care to children from birth through adolescence to age 21. With 585 hours of precepted clinical practice and a flexible online format, working nurses can complete the program in approximately two years.
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.
Pennsylvania 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.
PNP Salary in Pennsylvania
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania earn a mean annual wage of approximately $124,590, with the national median at $129,210. PNPs specializing in pediatric care are in strong demand as children’s hospitals and pediatric clinics across Pennsylvania continue to expand. Salaries vary by setting and region, with hospital-based PNPs and those in the Philadelphia metro area typically earning more. Pennsylvania is now a Full Practice Authority state, which may further enhance PNP career opportunities and earning potential.
Compare PNP Programs in Pennsylvania
| School | Degree Type | Specializations | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drexel University | MSN | PNP-AC, PNP-PC, Dual AC/PC | Online + Campus |
| Gwynedd Mercy University | MSN | PNP-PC | Online |
| Thomas Jefferson University | MSN | PNP-PC | Hybrid |
| University of Pennsylvania | MSN | PNP Acute/Chronic, PNP Critical Care | On-Campus |
| University of Pittsburgh | DNP | PNP-PC, MSN to DNP | Varies |
| Villanova University | MSN | PNP-PC | Hybrid |
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.
Where PNPs Work in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has several major children’s hospitals that employ PNPs. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is one of the top-ranked pediatric hospitals in the country and hires PNPs across primary care, specialty clinics, and inpatient units. UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey, and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia also employ PNPs in a range of clinical settings.
Outside hospital systems, PNPs in Pennsylvania work in pediatric primary care offices, school-based health centers, and community health clinics. Rural parts of the state, especially in the northern tier and western counties, have ongoing shortages of pediatric providers. Since Pennsylvania became a Full Practice Authority state under Act 68 in 2025, PNPs who complete the three-year collaborative period can practice and prescribe independently, which has made rural practice more feasible for PNPs working in underserved areas.
Interested in other NP specializations in Pennsylvania? See our Pennsylvania nurse practitioner programs page for a full list of schools, or explore FNP programs, AGNP programs, and DNP programs in the state. For more about pediatric NP education nationally, visit our Pediatric Nurse Practitioner guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About PNP Programs in Pennsylvania
How many PNP programs are available in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania offers PNP programs at five accredited universities: Drexel University, Thomas Jefferson University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, and Villanova University. Programs are available in both primary care and acute care specializations.
What is the average PNP salary in Pennsylvania?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), nurse practitioners in Pennsylvania earn a mean annual wage of approximately $124,590. Salaries vary by employer, location, and experience, with hospital-based PNPs in metropolitan areas earning more.
What is the difference between PNP-PC and PNP-AC?
PNP-PC (Primary Care) prepares nurses for outpatient and preventive pediatric care, including well-child visits and chronic disease management. PNP-AC (Acute Care) trains nurses to work with acutely ill or injured children in hospitals, emergency departments, and intensive care settings.
Can PNPs practice independently in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania became a Full Practice Authority state under Act 68 of 2022, effective in 2025. After completing a three-year collaborative agreement period, PNPs can practice independently without physician oversight.
Are there online PNP programs in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Drexel University offers online PNP programs with on-campus requirements, and several other Pennsylvania schools offer hybrid formats that combine online coursework with in-person clinical rotations.