Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) – Education, Licensure & Salary
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Infants, children, and adolescents have developing bodies with many unique health concerns requiring specialized care. Amongst the specialized providers who can care for the youngest patients, pediatric nurse practitioners have the knowledge and experience to provide specialized care for these patients, which can help ensure that they receive the best possible care.
Pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide primary, acute, or specialty care to infants, children, and adolescents up to the age of 21. They may also provide care to young adults with chronic health conditions that began during childhood. PNPs typically work in outpatient clinics, private practices, hospitals, and schools.
A career as a PNP can be extremely rewarding as they can improve the lives of children and their families daily. Becoming a PNPs starts with earning a general nursing degree and work experience. Then, all aspiring PNPs must have at least a master of science in nursing (MSN), doctor of nursing practice, or post-master’s certificate in pediatric care. These programs typically take 18 months to four years to complete. After earning an advanced degree, PNPs must obtain national certification through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board and a license to practice from their state’s nursing board.
Pediatric nurse practitioners can earn certification in either acute or primary care. Acute care pediatric nurse practitioners (CPNP-ACs) work in hospital settings with infants, children, and adolescents with acute or short-term illnesses or injuries. In general, they have more experience working with critically ill children.
In contrast, primary care pediatric nurse practitioners (CPNP-PCs) provide preventive and primary health care services to infants, children, and adolescents in various ambulatory care settings.
The following guide describes how to become a PNP, what typical job duties entail, how much PNPs make, and what licensing and certifications are required for this job.
How to Become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
The first step to becoming a PNP is completing an accredited general nursing program. This program can be either an associate’s of science in nursing or a bachelor’s of science in nursing. These general education programs provide the necessary foundational knowledge and skills to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam and find entry-level work as a registered nurse.
After completing a program and passing the NCLEX-RN, graduates must obtain a license to practice as registered nurses in the state where they will work. Aspiring PNPs should look for jobs in pediatrics to gain work experience with infants, children, and adolescents. Working in the field as a registered nurse can help professionals determine if this field is for them and discover which specialization they may prefer.
The next step to becoming a PNP is to complete a pediatric nurse practitioner program. These programs are offered at schools across the country, both in person and online. Nurses can choose to complete a master of science in nursing or a doctor of nursing practice program. Alternatively, if a nurse already has a master’s degree in another field, they can complete a post-master’s certificate.
Finally, once a graduate program has been completed, PNPs must earn certification through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board and a license to practice from their state’s nursing board. More details on licensing and certification can be found below.
What Does a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Do?
PNPs provide comprehensive care to infants, children, and adolescents up to age 21. They work in diverse settings such as primary care offices, hospitals, schools, and community health centers. Some PNPs specialize in particular care areas, such as neonatal care or oncology. In general, job duties for PNPs will include:
- Managing common pediatric acute illnesses such as respiratory infections, ear infections, and gastrointestinal illnesses
- Providing well-child care, including immunizations, screening tests, and developmental assessments
- Performing physical exams and ordering diagnostic tests as needed
- Educating families on healthy child development and parenting skills
- Counseling patients and families on a variety of health topics, including nutrition, sleep, and safety
- Working in collaboration with other healthcare providers to provide comprehensive care to patients
How Much Do Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNP) Make?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2021) classifies PNPs as nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioners earn $118,040 per year on average. Salary.com (2023), a compensation aggregate website, provides more detailed salary information for PNP. The percentiles for wages are:
- 10th percentile: $98,763
- 25th percentile: $105,500
- 50th percentile (median): $112,900
- 75th percentile: $118,500
- 90th percentile: $123,599
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Licensure and Certification Requirements
PNP Licensing
To practice, PNPs must be licensed nurse practitioners in the state where they work. Each state nursing board has its own licensing requirements for nurse practitioners, so applicants should check with their local authority to ensure they have the necessary qualifications. In general, the requirements to be licensed as a nurse practitioner who provides pediatric care include:
- A current, active, and unencumbered registered nursing license in that state
- Complete a pediatric nurse practitioner master’s of science in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, or post-master’s certification from an accredited or approved program
- Hold a national PNP certification
- Pass a background check and drug screening
- Submit an application and applicable fees
PNP Certifications and Eligibility
The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) issues two certifications for pediatric nurse practitioners. They are Acute Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-AC) and Primary Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-PC).
The eligibility requirements for the CPNP-PC certification are:
- A current, active, and unencumbered registered nursing license
- Graduate from a master’s, post-graduate certificate, or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) from a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- The program completed must have a minimum of 500 (600 hours are recommended) primary care pediatric faculty-supervised clinical hours
- Coursework from the graduate program must include advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology
To sit for the CPNP-AC certification exam, candidates must:
- A current, active, and unencumbered registered nursing license
- Graduate from a master’s, post-graduate certificate, or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) from an acute care pediatric nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- The program completed must have a minimum of 500 (600 hours are recommended) acute care pediatric faculty-supervised clinical hours
- Coursework from the graduate program must include advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology
PNPs can apply for and sit for both exams and earn a dual certification.
PNP Certification Renewal
PNCB CPNP-PC or CPNP-AC certifications must be renewed annually between November 1 and January 31.
To renew, certificate holders must have a current, active, and unencumbered license and complete 15 contact hours of continuing education. E
very seven years, candidates must provide proof of at least 15 contact hours of continuing education in pediatric pharmacology and complete four PNCB Pediatric Updates modules.
Kimmy Gustafson
WriterKimmy Gustafson is a freelance writer with extensive experience writing about nursing careers and education. She has worked in public health, at health-focused nonprofits, and as a Spanish interpreter for doctor’s offices and hospitals. She has a passion for learning, which drives her to stay up to date on the latest trends in healthcare. When not writing or researching, she can be found pursuing her passions of nutrition and an active outdoors lifestyle.