Specialty Highlights
Complete in 4 Full-time Semesters
MN Prespecialty students complete in just 3-4 semesters. Part-time plans are also available.
Online/Hybrid Learning Format
Online classes with 7 brief, in-person sessions over the course of the program
Robust Clinical Experience
630 hours of directly supervised clinical practice
I wanted a school that cared about my learning and wanted me to succeed as a practitioner. I heard from several people that Vanderbilt was the school to go to, and I don’t disagree.
Prestigious Program with Exceptional Outcomes
- Our students learn from recognized experts and specialists in settings that include pediatric primary care and pediatric specialty outpatient clinics.
- Immersion clinical experiences with expert preceptors in primary care settings provide pivotal components of the program.
- Students benefit from low faculty-to-student ratios and personalized attention.
Curriculum & Objectives
Through a comprehensive curriculum that uses traditional classroom settings, simulated experiences and clinical training, srudents develop deep pediatric primary care knowledge and clinical reasoning skills. They learn pathophysiologic concepts, pediatric pharmacotherapeutics, and health behavior and development.
The PNP–PC curriculum incorporates the 2021 AACN Essentials, assuring students receive a comprehensive and up-to-date education that meets the highest standards in nursing education and assures they are well-prepared for practice.
Explore the MSN full-time, MSN part-time, MN Prespecialty, sample Post-Master's Certificate and DNP curriculums.
Clinical Experience
Clinical sites may include outpatient clinics, private pediatric practices and community clinics. The School of Nursing’s full-time clinical placement team partners with students and faculty to create enriching clinical practicums, ensuring each student receives robust training in their specialty. Where possible, clinical placements are made in the student’s preferred geographic area. Clinical sites include pediatric providers’ offices, specialty clinics, ambulatory clinics and children’s hospitals or units.
Time Commitment
This accelerated specialty is best suited for motivated, self-directed learners who can master large amounts of complex material in a short time. Balancing full-time work with the program’s rigorous, full-time, accelerated curriculum is not recommended, although the specialty can be completed on a part-time basis. The time commitment for full-time students is 4 semesters (16 months).
Outcomes
Pediatric Nurse Practitioners–Primary Care deliver care to patients in a variety of settings, including outpatient pediatric clinics, community clinics, health departments, preschools and elementary schools, private practices, community agencies. ambulatory care settings and specialty clinics. Millions of children deal with diabetes, obesity, asthma, autism, depression, mental health issues and more. As a PNP–PC, graduates are well-positioned to provide care to these children and their families. Graduates are qualified to apply for CPNP–PC certification offered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).
Through a robust curriculum and extensive clinical practice, we prepare our students to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care, ensuring they become effective and empathetic primary care providers for pediatric populations.
Take the Next Step
The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Specialty is available as part of the Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Nursing Prespecialty and Post-Master's Certificate programs. Request information about the program or contact your admissions counselor.
For more information about the specialty, view this short video.