Post-Master's Certificate Program Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
The University of Virginia prepares Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNPs) either within the master’s program or as a post-master's certificate. The PNP is an advanced practice role that provides direct patient care in a primary care setting.
Pediatric Nurse Practitioners are at the forefront of keeping our nation’s children emotionally and physically healthy. The responsibilities of a pediatric nurse practitioner include well-child care, sick/episodic examinations, health teaching and counseling to children and families, telephone management, home visits, conducting research, providing education, and impacting public policy. Students are prepared to practice in these roles autonomously, in collaboration with a physician, or as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
The curriculum builds on both the theoretical knowledge and clinical experience of the bachelor's and master's prepared nurse.
Full-time students begin study in the summer session, and may complete the program in as little as 12 months. Students who have completed a graduate course in Pathophysiology may enroll in either the spring semester or summer session and enroll in pharmacology and/or health assessment. Students who need to complete Pathophysiology (GNUR 584) enroll in the fall semester, and complete the program in 20 months. Students who have completed graduate courses in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment can complete the program in 12 months. Classes would start in the summer, and end the following May.
Program Coordinator: John Kirchgessner, PhD, RN, PNP (434) 924-0121 email: jck2r@virginia.edu.
- Clinicals
- Certification
- Admission Requirements
- Downloads, Program of Study, and Links
- The admissions application is available on your My Grad UVa page. If you have not created My Grad UVa page, then please click here to create your MyGrad UVa page.
- For More Information
Clinicals
Students complete 672 clinical hours in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program. Most of these hours are completed in two semester-long preceptorships taken in the final two semesters of enrollment (GNUR 569 and GNUR 571).
Clinical placement sites are assigned based upon optimal learning experiences, student requests, and availability. In order to develop experience in rural health care with underserved populations, students are assigned to at least one preceptorship site distant from Charlottesville/Albemarle County. Most of our clinical assignments are in Central, Southwest and Southside Virginia. Students seeking clinical opportunities in other areas of Virginia may be asked to locate their own clinical sites.
Certification
Students are qualified to sit for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner certification from either the Pediatric Nurses Certification Board or the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the School of Nursing is competitive and based on evaluation of all portions of the application. To be considered for the Post-Master's Certificate, applicants must submit a completed application and:
- Have a master's degree in nursing from a nationally accredited school
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate and graduate study
- Hold an unencumbered RN license for the state where you intend to do your practica
- Submit three satisfactory academic and professional recommendations
- Submit a copy of your resume or CV
- Be available for an interview if requested
Application deadline:
Fall or Summer entry: April 1
Spring entry: November 1
International applicants have additional admissions requirements that can be viewed here.
Downloads, Program of Study, and Links
- Informational Flyer on the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program
- Program of Study for Post-Master's in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Admissions application will be available after June 10
For additional information on admission to and programs of study at the UVa School of Nursing, please fill our our online form. You are also welcome to call the Office of Admissions at (434) 924-0141 / (888) 283-8703.
Questions on admissions and financial aid should be directed to Clay Hysell, Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Services, email hysell@virginia.edu