Through Marquette University’s Direct Entry MSN program, you can make a difference in the lives of infants, children, and adolescents in an advanced nursing role as a pediatric nurse practitioner. After being prepared by our advanced nursing curriculum, you will make a difference in your patients’ lives.
Pediatrics is a rewarding practice area in health care, allowing you to make a difference for children and their loved ones during some of the most challenging times of their lives. If this practice area stands out to you, consider making it your goal to pursue a pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) role.
As a PNP, you would provide comprehensive, patient-centered care for infants, children and adolescents across a range of health care settings. Pediatric nurse practitioners focus on promoting child health, preventing illness and helping families manage medical needs from routine to complex.
If making a difference in children’s lives through an advanced practice nursing role sounds fulfilling to you, Marquette University can help prepare you to pursue that career path. Through our Second-Degree Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, you can graduate with an MSN in five or eight semesters prepared to enter professional nursing practice. With a master’s degree, you will be one step closer to enrolling in a postgraduate certificate program and later pursuing a PNP role.
What a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Does
Pediatric nurse practitioners are a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) specialized in meeting the health care needs of infants, children and adolescents. They work in a range of settings, from hospitals to private practices or schools, and collaborate with physicians and other health care professionals to ensure children receive coordinated, high-quality care.
Major Responsibilities
Although no two days will be exactly alike as a pediatric nurse practitioner, and the role can vary by setting, there are some core responsibilities to expect on a regular basis. PNPs care for patients by:
- Diagnosing illnesses
- Developing treatment plans
- Evaluating symptoms
- Monitoring growth and development
- Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests
- Providing preventive care
- Prescribing and managing medications in accordance with state law
Throughout a typical day as a PNP, you diagnose and treat common illnesses in children and adolescents, such as ear infections and respiratory issues. You will help families manage long-term conditions like asthma, allergies or diabetes. As a PNP, you will educate families about treatment plans, preventive care, development and safety to support the child’s overall well-being.
Education and Training Required to Become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner requires patience and dedication, but the end result is worth it. Becoming a PNP requires the following key steps:
- Complete pre-licensure education
- Pass the NCLEX-RN and earn licensure as a registered nurse
- Spend time gaining experience as a practicing RN
- Complete a nurse practitioner education program
- Pursue certification and meet state requirements to be recognized as a PNP
Through Marquette University’s Direct Entry MSN program for non-nurses, you can complete the first step toward this goal in five or eight semesters. This is especially helpful if you do not have a previous Bachelor of Science in Nursing, as our program format allows you to skip the years it may take to earn a BSN before pursuing an MSN.
As a Marquette Direct Entry MSN student, you will work through a curriculum comprised of predominantly online or in-person coursework, depending on enrollment location and program length. You also practice essential nursing skills and techniques in skills and simulation labs. You will also complete clinical rotations to gain real-world experience under instructor supervision. Upon completion, students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN for licensure. Afterwards, a post-master’s certificate program is the next step on the path to becoming a PNP.
Do you want to earn an MSN? Learn more about the requirements for earning a master’s in nursing.
Skills and Qualities Needed to Work With Pediatric Patients
As a pediatric nurse practitioner, you will need a variety of essential skills to be successful. Although some skills are specific to nursing, like treatment planning or clinical skills, you may already have the needed soft skills, like communication or patience, from your previous career or life experience.
Successful pediatric nurse practitioners combine clinical expertise with strong interpersonal skills to deliver compassionate, family-centered care.
Soft Skills You May Already Have
Soft skills you need as a PNP include communication. You must be able to work well with the patient care team, including nurses and physicians, to properly diagnose, plan and carry out a patient care plan. You must also be able to communicate with the families and children you serve in ways that are clear, supportive and developmentally appropriate.
Other essential skills include patience and empathy, as you will be working with sick or struggling children and their families during stressful and challenging times. Lastly, you must be adaptable in an advanced nursing role, as you will be put in a variety of clinical situations that require critical thinking, problem-solving and quick decision-making.
Hard Skills You Will Learn and Develop
As a PNP, you will need in-depth knowledge of child development and care. After you assess and diagnose patients, you will create treatment plans or implement preventive care strategies that support long-term health outcomes. You will also need clinical skills, like administering medications, caring for wounds and interpreting test results. Since you may be able to prescribe medications depending on the laws of the state you would practice within, knowing safe dosages and interactions between medications is vital.
These are just a few of the skills and clinical competencies pediatric nurse practitioners develop through education, training and clinical experience.
What skills and qualities do you need to be a nurse? Learn more about the essential qualities of a nurse.
Where Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Work and What They Treat
A pediatric nurse practitioner’s workplace can vary depending on factors like whether they practice in primary care or acute care.
Many pediatric nurse practitioners work in primary care settings like clinics or private practices that provide preventive care and handle routine wellness visits. Others work in schools, hospitals, specialty clinics or acute care environments that handle more complex pediatric conditions.
Career Outlook, Certification and Advancement Opportunities
As a PNP, you will make a lasting impact on children’s health and build long-term relationships with families and patients while providing high-quality care. While PNP roles may be demanding at times, many pediatric nurse practitioners report high job satisfaction from helping children grow and thrive.
What is the Demand for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners?
Pediatric nurse practitioners are in demand, and the prominence of nurse practitioner roles is expected to continue to rise to meet greater health care demand.
As a PNP, you will have a strong career outlook for the future. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment for advanced practice registered nursing roles will grow by 35% by 2034, adding 134,000 jobs to the field during this period.
According to U.S. News & World Report, nurse practitioner roles command a median annual salary of $129,210. It takes longer to enter NP roles than RN roles, but the pay is considerably higher than the annual median RN salary of $93,600, as reported by the BLS. Nurse practitioner roles were also the top-ranked profession in the categories of Best Jobs, Best Health Care Jobs and Best STEM Jobs.
What are the Certification Opportunities for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners?
You can pursue additional certifications as a PNP to showcase your commitment to upholding the highest standards of care and stand apart as a candidate pursuing career opportunities.
A Primary Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-PC) certification, for example, highlights providing care to children from birth through young adulthood.
You can also pursue an Acute Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-AC) certification to work in pediatric hospitals or other acute care settings with patients who need intensive, specialized care.
Pursue Your Career at Marquette University
With high job satisfaction, competitive salaries and a strong career outlook, pursuing a career as a pediatric nursing practitioner might be right for you. If you are ready to make a difference in the lives of infants, children, adolescents and families, Marquette University’s Second-Degree Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing program can help you get started on this career path.
Contact us today to speak with an admissions adviser and take the next step.