Online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program (PNP)

Children and young adults deserve expert care.

Choosing to specialize as a pediatric nurse practitioner gives you the opportunity to impact a child’s life from birth to young adulthood. You can be the one who improves the well-being of children and their families by helping them get access to preventive care and sharing knowledge about making healthy choices. Maryville University’s online PNP programs offer the opportunity to focus your skill set and fortify your professional standing as a nurse.

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100% online with no campus visits required

No GMAT, GRE, or statistics required for admission

Complete clinicals locally in your preferred setting

No waiting list once you’re accepted

Four Online PNP Programs

Male pediatric nurse practitioner uses stethoscope to check on a little girl.

Online Master of Science in Nursing — Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (MSN PNP)

Learn what it takes to specialize in caring for children and young adults. Our advanced degree program offers a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner track designed to help nurses pursue one of the most rewarding specialties available today.

Want to learn more about the online Master of Science in Nursing program?

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Family Nurse Practitioner sitting at a desk in front of a laptop

Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice Program — PNP Concentration (BSN to DNP PNP)

Are you motivated to reach the apex of the nursing profession by working with some of the youngest patients? Our program offers a direct path to a DNP career with the added advantage of focusing a portion of your coursework in primary care and pediatrics.

Want to learn more about the online Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice program?

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Female family nurse practitioner

Online Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate — Pediatric (Primary Care) Nurse Practitioner (MSN PNPC)

If you have your MSN and now you’re ready to specialize in pediatric primary care, our certificate can be your best option. Our coursework focuses on the growth and development of the pediatric patient population.

Want to learn more about the online Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate program?

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Male family nurse practitioner smiling

Online Doctor of Nursing Practice with Nurse Practitioner Concentration — Pediatric (Primary Care) Nurse Practitioner (DNP-NP PNP)

Go from your MSN to your DNP with an PNP concentration, and you can earn a terminal degree that helps bring you back into the clinical setting. You’ll earn your PNP along with attaining your DNP, allowing you to practice at the highest level and lead interdisciplinary teams.

Want to learn more about the online Doctor of Nursing Practice with Nurse Practitioner Concentration program?

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Why become a PNP?

female Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with Child

Children are our future. Caring for them is yours.

You have a love of children and the desire to make a difference in the world. Now is the time to specialize in pediatrics as a nurse practitioner. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) estimates that there is only one qualified candidate for every four available nurse practitioner jobs.

Upon graduation, you should know how to:

Conduct age-appropriate developmental and health screenings.
Recognize unhealthy lifestyle habits and provide guidance on proper sleep, nutrition, and exercise.
Identify and address mental health, functional, mobility, and cognitive issues.
Order and interpret laboratory and diagnostic tests.
Prescribe medication and develop treatment plans.
Perform in-office primary care procedures.
Escalate chronic and acute care needs to physicians/specialists.

Caring for children can be extra rewarding.

Dedicating your nursing career to the pediatrics care specialty can be dually rewarding. Not only will you get the chance to provide long-term care for patients who you get to know over the years, but you will also have the opportunity to join a professional sector that is compensated better than most.

Why Choose Maryville?

We’re a private, four-year institution ranked as one of America’s Best Colleges by both U.S. News & World Report and Forbes. We’re also proud to have been named to the Military Friendly Schools list for the 6th consecutive year. When you choose us, you receive a highly flexible and highly regarded education with the added convenience of being delivered 100% online. Here are a few more reasons why we offer you the best path:

Streamline your time and talent to earn a post-master’s certificate.
Graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Enjoy a flexible and convenient 24/7 online learning model.
Explore important topics that will help pave the way to a better future for yourself and the nurses who follow in your footsteps.
Take the opportunity to conduct research via clinical inquiry courses that will challenge your assumptions.
Learn from an expert faculty of nursing leaders who openly share their experiences and insights regarding public health and the nursing profession.

PNP Career Outlook

Shape the future of healthcare.

There are many factors behind the increased demand for pediatric nurse practitioners. Favorable employment trends for pediatric NPs include:

Data from The Clinical Advisor reports an annual median salary of $83,937 for pediatric NPs, based on 2012 numbers.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 31% increase in job opportunities for nurse practitioners between 2012 and 2022.
Scrubs Magazine identifies the pediatric nurse practitioner as one of the “Top 10 Highest Paying Nursing Specialties.”
The role of nurse practitioner also ranked No. 1 on Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s 2013 list of “Today’s Hottest Jobs.”
An ongoing shortage of primary care and family medicine physicians. It is anticipated that by 2025, the nation will be short at least 100,000 family medicine doctors. Pediatric (primary care) nurse practitioners are predicted to be in particularly high demand due to the even greater scarcity of physicians in rural and inner city communities.
The emergence of nurse-run clinics and growth in the number of traditional walk-in clinics in response to the Affordable Care Act.
Higher levels of patient satisfaction of those treated by nurse practitioners.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with Child

Founded in 1872 — Top Ranked for Today

Proud to be recognized as one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report and Forbes.

Maryville University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

The MSN, Post-Master’s NP Certificate, and DNP programs at Maryville University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

PNP Curriculum

Four curriculum models. One rewarding career specialty.

Online MSN PNP Concentration

Online Master of Science in Nursing — Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (MSN PNP)

You can complete your MSN PNP in as few as 28 months. Begin your coursework the semester after you enroll with three entry points per year (January, May, and August ).

MSN | Core Courses

Show / Hide Course Descriptions

NURS 600	Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice	3 Credits
The focus of this course is to critique, evaluate and apply appropriate theory within advanced nursing practice.
NURS 601	Evidence Based Practice in Nursing	3 Credits
This course explores evidence-based practice as it relates to changing and improving current advanced nursing knowledge and application.
NURS 602	Health Care Policy	3 Credits
This course explores systems of health care delivery , finance and policies that guide the local, national and global level. The historical, philosophical and sociocultural aspects of health care policy are examined.
NURS 610	Health Promotion/Disease Prevention	3 Credits
This course focuses on health screening, health promotion and disease prevention at the individual, regional and national level. This includes the exploration at the advanced nursing practice role to direct program planning, development, implementation and evaluation to improve healthcare outcomes.
NURS 603	Professional Role Development: Advanced Practice Nurse	3 Credits
This course provides a theoretical foundation for exploring, analyzing and evaluating advanced nursing practice roles within the health care system. Legal and ethical contexts are included.

NURS 619	Leadership and Quality	3 Credits
This course will prepare the advance practice nurse for a leadership role on interprofessional teams that effectively implement patient safety and quality improvement initiatives. Budget and marketing principles will be explored.
NURS 611	Advanced Pathophysiology	3 Credits
Provides the basis for understanding the pathophysiology of diseases and the changes in normal function that result in manifestations indicative of illness across the lifespan.
NURS 612	Advanced Health Assessment	5 Credits
This course explores focused and comprehensive health assessments in a variety of settings and patients across the lifespan. This includes development of health promotion strategies and prioritization of care. Prerequisite: Online - NURS 611, NURS 615 Corequisite: On Ground - NURS 615
NURS 615	Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics	3 Credits
This course focuses on the pharmacological foundation for safely prescribing medical regimens of illnesses for individuals across the lifespan. Also included are illness prevention, non-pharmacological and legal implications for prescriptive authority for the nurse practitioner. Note: Selection of appropriate therapies, patient education and evaluation parameters are stressed.

For the PNP concentration you will need:

Show / Hide Course Descriptions

NURS 650	Health Promotion of the Pediatric Population	3 Credits
This course focuses on growth and development and milestones of pediatric patients using theories and evidence based practice. Students will learn anticipatory guidance techniques, health promotion and illness prevention concepts within the pediatric population, incorporating individual, cultural, ethnic, and spiritual preferences. Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 615 and NURS 612 (may also be taken concurrently) Corequisite: NURS 655C
NURS 651	Pediatric Assessment and Diagnosis I	3 Credits
This course is the first in a two-part pediatric primary care didactic sequence. In this course students will focus on acute and chronic primary health care problems of children and adolescents. Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, NURS 615 & NURS 650 Corequisite: NURS 652 or NURS 652C
NURS 652	Pediatric Assessment and Diagnosis Practicum I	3 Credits
This is the first practicum course in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS-651 with focus on applying knowledge and skills in pediatric primary care practice settings. Prerequisite: NURS 650 Corequisite: NURS 651

NURS 653	Pediatric Assessment and Diagnosis II	3 Credits
This course is second in a two-part pediatric primary care didactic sequence. In this course students will focus on acute and chronic primary health care problems of children and adolescents. Prerequisite: NURS 651 and NURS 652 or NURS 652C Corequisite: NURS 654 or NURS 654C
NURS 654	Pediatric Assessment and Diagnosis Practicum II	3 Credits
This is the second practicum course in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS 653 with focus on applying knowledge and skills in pediatric primary care practice settings. Prerequisite: NURS 651 and NURS 652 Corequisite: NURS 653

Online BSN to DNP PNP Concentration

Online Master of Science in Nursing — Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (MSN PNP)

You can complete your MSN PNP in as few as 40 months. Begin your coursework the semester after you enroll with three entry points per year (January, May, and August ).

MSN | Core Courses

Show / Hide Course Descriptions

NURS 600	Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice	3 Credits
The focus of this course is to critique, evaluate and apply appropriate theory within advanced nursing practice.
NURS 601	Evidence Based Practice in Nursing	3 Credits
This course explores evidence-based practice as it relates to changing and improving current advanced nursing knowledge and application.
NURS 602	Health Care Policy	3 Credits
This course explores systems of health care delivery , finance and policies that guide the local, national and global level. The historical, philosophical and sociocultural aspects of health care policy are examined.
NURS 610	Health Promotion/Disease Prevention	3 Credits
This course focuses on health screening, health promotion and disease prevention at the individual, regional and national level. This includes the exploration at the advanced nursing practice role to direct program planning, development, implementation and evaluation to improve healthcare outcomes.
NURS 603	Professional Role Development: Advanced Practice Nurse	3 Credits
This course provides a theoretical foundation for exploring, analyzing and evaluating advanced nursing practice roles within the health care system. Legal and ethical contexts are included.

NURS 619	Leadership and Quality	3 Credits
This course will prepare the advance practice nurse for a leadership role on interprofessional teams that effectively implement patient safety and quality improvement initiatives. Budget and marketing principles will be explored.
NURS 611	Advanced Pathophysiology	3 Credits
Provides the basis for understanding the pathophysiology of diseases and the changes in normal function that result in manifestations indicative of illness across the lifespan.
NURS 612	Advanced Health Assessment	5 Credits
This course explores focused and comprehensive health assessments in a variety of settings and patients across the lifespan. This includes development of health promotion strategies and prioritization of care. Prerequisite: Online - NURS 611, NURS 615 Corequisite: On Ground - NURS 615
NURS 615	Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics	3 Credits
This course focuses on the pharmacological foundation for safely prescribing medical regimens of illnesses for individuals across the lifespan. Also included are illness prevention, non-pharmacological and legal implications for prescriptive authority for the nurse practitioner. Note: Selection of appropriate therapies, patient education and evaluation parameters are stressed.

For the PNP concentration you will need:

Show / Hide Course Descriptions

NURS 650	Health Promotion of the Pediatric Population	3 Credits
This course focuses on growth and development and milestones of pediatric patients using theories and evidence based practice. Students will learn anticipatory guidance techniques, health promotion and illness prevention concepts within the pediatric population, incorporating individual, cultural, ethnic, and spiritual preferences. Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 615 and NURS 612 (may also be taken concurrently) Corequisite: NURS 655C
NURS 651	Pediatric Assessment and Diagnosis I	3 Credits
This course is the first in a two-part pediatric primary care didactic sequence. In this course students will focus on acute and chronic primary health care problems of children and adolescents. Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, NURS 615 & NURS 650 Corequisite: NURS 652 or NURS 652C
NURS 652	Pediatric Assessment and Diagnosis Practicum I	3 Credits
This is the first practicum course in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS-651 with focus on applying knowledge and skills in pediatric primary care practice settings. Prerequisite: NURS 650 Corequisite: NURS 651

NURS 653	Pediatric Assessment and Diagnosis II	3 Credits
This course is second in a two-part pediatric primary care didactic sequence. In this course students will focus on acute and chronic primary health care problems of children and adolescents. Prerequisite: NURS 651 and NURS 652 or NURS 652C Corequisite: NURS 654 or NURS 654C
NURS 654	Pediatric Assessment and Diagnosis Practicum II	3 Credits
This is the second practicum course in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS 653 with focus on applying knowledge and skills in pediatric primary care practice settings. Prerequisite: NURS 651 and NURS 652 Corequisite: NURS 653

Online MSN Post-Master's Nurse Practitioner Certificate PNP Concentration

Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate — Pediatric (Primary Care) Nurse Practitioner

You can complete your certificate in 32 credits. You can begin your coursework the semester after you are accepted, with six entry points either in spring, summer, or fall.

Graduate Nursing Core Courses

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NURS 603	Professional Role Development: Advanced Practice Nurse	3 Credits
This course provides a theoretical foundation for exploring, analyzing and evaluating advanced nursing practice roles within the health care system. Legal and ethical contexts are included.

NURS 610	Health Promotion/Disease Prevention	3 Credits
This course focuses on health screening, health promotion and disease prevention at the individual, regional and national level. This includes the exploration at the advanced nursing practice role to direct program planning, development, implementation and evaluation to improve healthcare outcomes.

Nurse Practitioner Core Courses

Show / Hide Course Descriptions

NURS 611	Advanced Pathophysiology	3 Credits
Provides the basis for understanding the pathophysiology of diseases and the changes in normal function that result in manifestations indicative of illness across the lifespan.
NURS 612	Advanced Health Assessment	5 Credits
This course explores focused and comprehensive health assessments in a variety of settings and patients across the lifespan. This includes development of health promotion strategies and prioritization of care. Prerequisite: Online - NURS 611, NURS 615 Corequisite: On Ground - NURS 615

NURS 615	Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics	3 Credits
This course focuses on the pharmacological foundation for safely prescribing medical regimens of illnesses for individuals across the lifespan. Also included are illness prevention, non-pharmacological and legal implications for prescriptive authority for the nurse practitioner. Note: Selection of appropriate therapies, patient education and evaluation parameters are stressed.

For the PNP concentration you will need:

Show / Hide Course Descriptions

NURS 650	Health Promotion of the Pediatric Population	3 Credits
This course focuses on growth and development and milestones of pediatric patients using theories and evidence based practice. Students will learn anticipatory guidance techniques, health promotion and illness prevention concepts within the pediatric population, incorporating individual, cultural, ethnic, and spiritual preferences. Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 615 and NURS 612 (may also be taken concurrently) Corequisite: NURS 655C
NURS 651	Pediatric Assessment and Diagnosis I	3 Credits
This course is the first in a two-part pediatric primary care didactic sequence. In this course students will focus on acute and chronic primary health care problems of children and adolescents. Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, NURS 615 & NURS 650 Corequisite: NURS 652 or NURS 652C
NURS 652	Pediatric Assessment and Diagnosis Practicum I	3 Credits
This is the first practicum course in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS-651 with focus on applying knowledge and skills in pediatric primary care practice settings. Prerequisite: NURS 650 Corequisite: NURS 651

NURS 653	Pediatric Assessment and Diagnosis II	3 Credits
This course is second in a two-part pediatric primary care didactic sequence. In this course students will focus on acute and chronic primary health care problems of children and adolescents. Prerequisite: NURS 651 and NURS 652 or NURS 652C Corequisite: NURS 654 or NURS 654C
NURS 654	Pediatric Assessment and Diagnosis Practicum II	3 Credits
This is the second practicum course in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS 653 with focus on applying knowledge and skills in pediatric primary care practice settings. Prerequisite: NURS 651 and NURS 652 Corequisite: NURS 653

Online DNP-NP Program PNP Concentration

Doctor of Nursing Practice Foundation Courses (15 credit hours)

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NURS 700	Principles of Epidemiology and Biostatistics	3 Credits
This course is designed to introduce students to the purpose, content, and methods of epidemiology and biostatistics. Students will learn to evaluate and use output from statistical computing software. Prerequisite: NURS 710
NURS 701	Foundations of Clinical Scholarship	3 Credits
This course is designed to explore the phenomenon of interest related to the scholarly project. Students will develop a PICO(T) question supported by literature with emphasis on concept analysis.
NURS 702	Integrating and Synthesizing Research	3 Credits
This course is designed to emphasize an objective approach to the integration and synthesis of knowledge. Manuscript preparation and practical use of evidence are incorporated to prepare students for the design of research proposals. Prerequisite: NURS 700 and NURS 701

NURS 612	Advanced Health Assessment	5 Credits
This course explores focused and comprehensive health assessments in a variety of settings and patients across the lifespan. This includes development of health promotion strategies and prioritization of care. Prerequisite: Online - NURS 611, NURS 615 Corequisite: On Ground - NURS 615
NURS 710	Graduate Statistics	3 Credits
This course is designed to provide an understanding of the measurement of phenomena as it relates to the research process. Procedures for selecting, applying, and interpreting the correct statistical application to a research problem will be presented with students processing the results. Prerequisite: NURS 700

Doctor of Nursing Practice Capstone Courses (18 credit hours)

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NURS 703	Ethics For Advanced Nursing Practice	3 Credits
This course is designed to explore ethical principles for the highest level of nursing practice. Students will use evidence-based nursing and interprofessional literature to analyze ethical issues in professional practice.
NURS 704	Quality and Patient Safety in Advanced Nursing Practice	3 Credits
This course is designed to provide students with the foundation of process improvement (PI) and quality improvement (QI) concepts. Evidence-based practice and change management will be integrated with concepts of PI and QI. Systems thinking will be emphasized.
NURS 705	Clinical Inquiry I	3 Credits
This course will allow the students to design an evidence-based project that will guide clinical practice. The feasibility of conducting this initiative will be explored. Potential funding sources and budget issues will be examined. Students will apply the elements of protection of human subjects and complete the Maryville IRB. Prerequisite: NURS 700, NURS 701, NURS 702, and NURS 703

NURS 706	Clinical Inquiry II	3 Credits
This course is designed to expand the students knowledge of clinical project data collection and analysis of data. Students will apply integrated research concepts pertaining to the clinical project. Utilization of various methods of data analysis and data management systems will be explored. Complete project data is needed prior to the start of this course. Prerequisite: NURS 705 and NUS 705L
NURS 707	Clinical Inquiry III	3 Credits
This course is designed to expand the students understanding of methods of dissemination in translational research. Variables that impact the analysis of data related to the scholarly project will be examined. Implications for patients, clinical practice and the healthcare systems will be explored and findings disseminated. Prerequisite: NURS 706
NURS 708	Organizational and Systems Leadership	3 Credits
This course is designed to allow students to analyze organizational, management and social science theories in the context of organizational leadership and change management. Systems thinking is emphasized.

Graduate Nursing Core Courses (6 credit hours)

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NURS 603	Professional Role Development: Advanced Practice Nurse	3 Credits
This course provides a theoretical foundation for exploring, analyzing and evaluating advanced nursing practice roles within the health care system. Legal and ethical contexts are included.

NURS 610	Health Promotion/Disease Prevention	3 Credits
This course focuses on health screening, health promotion and disease prevention at the individual, regional and national level. This includes the exploration at the advanced nursing practice role to direct program planning, development, implementation and evaluation to improve healthcare outcomes.

Nurse Practitioner Core Courses (11 credit hours)

Show / Hide Course Descriptions

NURS 611	Advanced Pathophysiology	3 Credits
Provides the basis for understanding the pathophysiology of diseases and the changes in normal function that result in manifestations indicative of illness across the lifespan.
NURS 612	Advanced Health Assessment	5 Credits
This course explores focused and comprehensive health assessments in a variety of settings and patients across the lifespan. This includes development of health promotion strategies and prioritization of care. Prerequisite: Online - NURS 611, NURS 615 Corequisite: On Ground - NURS 615

NURS 615	Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics	3 Credits
This course focuses on the pharmacological foundation for safely prescribing medical regimens of illnesses for individuals across the lifespan. Also included are illness prevention, non-pharmacological and legal implications for prescriptive authority for the nurse practitioner. Note: Selection of appropriate therapies, patient education and evaluation parameters are stressed.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (15 credit hours)

Show / Hide Course Descriptions

NURS 650	Health Promotion of the Pediatric Population	3 Credits
This course focuses on growth and development and milestones of pediatric patients using theories and evidence based practice. Students will learn anticipatory guidance techniques, health promotion and illness prevention concepts within the pediatric population, incorporating individual, cultural, ethnic, and spiritual preferences. Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 615 and NURS 612 (may also be taken concurrently) Corequisite: NURS 655C
NURS 651	Pediatric Assessment and Diagnosis I	3 Credits
This course is the first in a two-part pediatric primary care didactic sequence. In this course students will focus on acute and chronic primary health care problems of children and adolescents. Prerequisite: NURS 611, NURS 612, NURS 615 & NURS 650 Corequisite: NURS 652 or NURS 652C
NURS 652	Pediatric Assessment and Diagnosis Practicum I	3 Credits
This is the first practicum course in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS-651 with focus on applying knowledge and skills in pediatric primary care practice settings. Prerequisite: NURS 650 Corequisite: NURS 651

NURS 653	Pediatric Assessment and Diagnosis II	3 Credits
This course is second in a two-part pediatric primary care didactic sequence. In this course students will focus on acute and chronic primary health care problems of children and adolescents. Prerequisite: NURS 651 and NURS 652 or NURS 652C Corequisite: NURS 654 or NURS 654C
NURS 654	Pediatric Assessment and Diagnosis Practicum II	3 Credits
This is the second practicum course in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program. Students will apply and integrate concepts presented in the NURS 653 with focus on applying knowledge and skills in pediatric primary care practice settings. Prerequisite: NURS 651 and NURS 652 Corequisite: NURS 653

To ensure the best possible educational experience for our students, we may update our curriculum to reflect emerging and changing employer and industry trends. Professional licensure and certification regulations vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Students are encouraged to visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing for the state in which they intend to practice to verify specific licensure requirements which includes ensuring the program of interest meets the licensure requirements prior to enrolling. Students may visit the professional licensure page or reach out to our team of enrollment advisors for guidance.

Apply to an online pediatric primary care nurse practitioner program at Maryville University.

Apply Now

Online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs

Children and young adults deserve expert care.

Four Online PNP Programs

Why become a PNP?

Why Choose Maryville?

PNP Career Outlook

Shape the future of healthcare.

PNP Curriculum

Apply to an online pediatric primary care nurse practitioner program at Maryville University.