The scope of practice of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner includes providing direct patient care management such as performing in-depth physical assessments, interpreting results of laboratory and diagnostic tests, ordering medications, and performing therapeutic treatments in a variety of settings (NAPNAP, 2004).
The pediatric primary care nursing major prepares the graduate for advanced nursing practice as a PNP (pediatric nurse practitioner) who provides primary health care to children from birth through 21 years of age. Pediatric nurse practitioners provide care to children who are well or suffering from common acute or chronic health problems. Responsibilities include monitoring chronic diseases, ordering and interpreting diagnostic studies, prescribing medications and other treatments, providing health maintenance care and education, promoting positive health behaviors and collaborating with physicians and other health care professionals as needed.
Upon completion of this master's program, graduates are eligible to apply for specialty certification through national organizations including the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) and the American Nurses' Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Graduates are prepared to practice in a variety of pediatric primary care settings including urban, suburban and rural clinics and offices, pediatric outpatient departments, school based health clinics, health departments to name a few.
A minimum of 540 practicum hours will be completed in numerous greater Cincinnati pediatric practices, clinics and outpatient sites. Experienced pediatric preceptors will work one-on-one with students and along with pediatric specialty faculty, will guide students through their practicum experience.
A minimum of one year of pediatric nursing practice is required for program admission as a basic working knowledge of pediatric growth and development, family dynamics and pediatric assessment are cornerstones for moving toward the role of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. If students do not have a year of clinical experience, they may enter the program on a part-time basis and begin taking didactic courses while gaining valuable experience as a working RN.
The program can be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time students can complete the program in six quarters (two academic years). Part-time students can progress at their own speed.
| Year 1 Fall Semester Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| NURS8020 Adv. Health Assessment | 3 (2+1) credits |
| NURS8022 Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology | 4 credits |
| NURS8004 Biostatistics for EBP | 3 credits |
| TOTAL | 10 credits |
| Year 1 Spring Semester Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| NURS8002 Theoretical Basis for Clinical Reasoning | 3 credits |
| ANPC8000 Advanced Parent-Infant Nursing | 3 credits |
| NURS8024 Pharmacology for APN | 3 credits |
| ANPC8050 Primary Care Practicum I | 2 credits (8 clinical hours per week) |
| ANPC8060 Seminar I | 1 credit |
| TOTAL | 12 credits |
| Year 2 Fall Semester Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| ANCP8040 Advanced Nursing Care of the Infant, Well Child, and Adolescent | 4 credits |
| NURS8006 Research & Best Evidence for Clinical Reasoning | 4 credits |
| ANPC8052 Practicum II | 3 credits (12 hours per week) |
| ANPC8062 Seminar II/Capstone | 2 credits |
| TOTAL | 13 credits |
| Year 2 Spring Semester Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| ANPC8042 Management of Acute and Chronic Illness in Childhood and Adolescence | 4 credits |
| NURS8008 Health Care Policy | 3 credits |
| ANPC8054 Primary Care Practicum III | 4 credits (16 hours per week) |
| ANPC8064 Seminar III/Capstone | 2 credits |
| TOTAL | 13 credits |
Credit Hours = 48 (56 practicum hours per credit)
Practicum I = 112 clinical hours
Practicum II = 168 clinical hours
Practicum III = 224 clinical hours
Total = 504 hours
Additional information on the role of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner may be found through national organizations such as:
Click here to receive more information or to register for an interest session.
Contact the Office of Student Affairs at nursing1@uc.edu or (513) 558-3600.
or
Denise Gormley, PhD
Assistant Professor and Executive Director
denise.gormley@uc.edu
(513) 558-5101