The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) provides lists of recognized graduate programs in PNP-AC and PNP-PC. (ACEN) to qualify for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), the test to become a registered nurse (RN).Īfter successfully passing the NCLEX-RN, candidates typically garner one-to three-years of experience working as an RN in settings relevant to their intended specialty (e.g., generalist PNP, acute care, primary care) such as pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), hospitals, emergency rooms, private practice clinics, and other healthcare environments.įollowing the completion of at least of year of clinical work, students may be prepared to apply to graduate PNP programs. Also, students are encouraged to seek out BSN programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. These programs feature courses such as biochemistry, structure & function of the human body, health promotion & risk reduction, pathophysiology, mental health & illness across the lifespan, and community health nursing. Here is a summary of one possible route to joining this career on the rise:Īfter graduating from high school, many prospective PNPs choose to enroll in a four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Prerequisites & Specializationsįor those looking to become PNPs in acute or primary care, there is a diversity of educational and experiential paths.
Read on to learn about how to become a PNP (acute or primary care), in addition to discovering what to expect from a PNP program (distance- or campus-based), professional certification, and program accreditation.įind a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school. In fact, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN 2015) recommends the DNP as the new standard of training for all APRNs since nursing remains one of the few healthcare professions where practitioners are generally master’s-prepared as opposed to being trained at the doctoral level. Some aspiring PNPs choose to pursue the terminal degree of the discipline-the doctor of nursing practice (DNP)-especially those interested in leadership roles. PNPs typically hold at least a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree specializing in pediatrics. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP 2015) reports that 95.1 percent of all NPs hold graduate degrees. To learn more about the state-based privileges of practice, prospective PNPs are encouraged to contact their local state board of nursing, a list of which is provided by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
By contrast, many states in the south require the supervision of physicians or other healthcare professionals to provide some healthcare services. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP 2015) recognizes that some states-mainly concentrated in the midwest-give NPs relative autonomy of practice to perform medical evaluations, diagnose conditions, and manage treatments. Please note that the scope of practice for both fields varies by region.