Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Area of Study

Application for the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program is due no later than February 1st.  Admission to the Nurse Practitioner areas of study is competitive and on a space-available basis.

Who Should Apply?

Nurses with a baccalaureate degree (BSN) in nursing who:

• want to expand their scope of practice to care for children and adolescents, especially those with special needs
• want to develop clinical skills that include age-appropriate health assessment promotion and management of the pediatric population
• want to learn how to provide well-child care
• want to help improve health care for infants, children and adolescents
• are interested in being part of a diverse student group in a forward-looking program within a top-ranked school in the beautiful, friendly Midwest
• have a minimum of one year of nursing experience in pediatric nursing Nurses with a Master’s degree (MSN) in nursing
• meet the above interests
• are nurse practitioners in family nursing with a special interest in children
• are pediatric APN’s Registered nurses must have a BSN (with Missouri licensure) and one year experience in pediatric nursing

Career Opportunities

• Pediatric Primary Care practice
• School Health Clinics
• Public Health Clinics
• Teen Centers
• Pediatric Speciality Clinics
• Pediatric Consultants

The Program

The curriculum includes courses and clinical practice which are designed to provide maximum knowledge and skills in the art and science of pediatric nursing care, which includes:

• Pediatric nurse practitioner management with emphasis on children of all ages and with special needs
• Pediatric nurse practitioner management of health promotion, primary care, annual examinations and assessment and treatment of acute illness, and primary care case management of children with special needs
• Skills in collaborating with other health care providers and health care agencies
• Current trends and issues in the pediatric nurse practitioner area
• Research and statistics
• Health assessment and promotion of children and adolescents
• Pediatric Pharmacology
• Nursing, Child Development, Family and Public Health Theories
• Developing a pediatric nurse practitioner practice

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a Distance Pediatric Nurse Practitioner?
This cooperative effort with the three University of Missouri campuses-Columbia, Kansas City and St. Louis-allows for the delivery of pediatric nurse practitioner education using the best from campus and distance education, while at the same time promoting clinical expertise through community-based partnerships.

This unique program uses the University of Missouri system and allows experts from all three campuses to contribute to the curriculum. The pediatric nurse practitioner distance education program combines Internet coursework with campus seminars and utilizes community preceptors within the student’s geographic area. Students obtain the basics of pediatric nurse practitioner education through instruction via the Internet offered from each campus.

A review of this information, problem-based situations and expanded critical thinking along with laboratory experiences will occur during on campus seminars. Approximately two on campus sessions per semester at the Columbia campus will be required of all pediatric nurse practitioner clinical courses. Nursing core courses are also available over the Internet and use either synchronous or non-synchronous communications.

Where will clinical practice occur?
Clinical practice sites are located throughout Missouri and neighboring states. Clinical sites are designed to be accessible for students and to provide a well-rounded look at various pediatric nurse practitioner practices that complement and extend the student’s knowledge and skills.

What certification would I be eligible for?
Upon graduation, you would have the educational preparation necessary for the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) or American Nurses Credentialing Center (AACN) certification as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

How would I be licensed?
In Missouri, you would be licensed as a registered professional nurse by the State Board of Nursing After completing the program and passing one of the above certification examinations, you would be eligible to be recognized as an advanced practice nurse by the Board of Nursing. For information on another state, contact that state’s board of nursing.

What financial assistance is available?
Financial assistance programs are available. Contact the Student Affairs Office, at (573) 882-0277 or (800) 437-4339 for further information Positions as teaching assistants are also available and may provide tuition assistance.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE
PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER AREA OF STUDY, CONTACT:
Student Affairs Office
S235 MU Sinclair School of Nursing
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO 65211
(800) 437-4339 or (573) 882-0277
E-Mail: nursing@missouri.edu

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