Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Graduate Certificate) program is an advanced nursing practice program designed for board-certified nurses seeking additional certification as an acute care pediatric nurse practitioner, or for doctorate-level nurses seeking an acute care pediatric nurse practitioner position.

Program Description

This program prepares graduates to provide holistic, client-centered care to meet the physical, psychological, and social needs of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. The program is offered in a hybrid format, with students required to travel to an ASU campus for up to one week for orientation at the beginning of the program and two to three times per semester.

Core Courses

• Pharmacology
• Advanced pathophysiology
• Advanced health assessment Specialty courses focus on assessment and management of a supportive, family-centered, culturally appropriate plan of care for pediatric patients with chronic, complex acute, and life-threatening illnesses.

Degree Requirements

The program requires 20 credit hours, including:

• DNP 606 Principles of Pediatric Acute Care I (3)
• DNP 607 Advanced Pediatric Acute Care Practicum I (7)
• DNP 619 Principles of Pediatric Acute Care II (3)
• DNP 620 Advanced Pediatric Acute Care Practicum II (7) Every certificate student must complete 600 hours of direct patient care with a nurse practitioner or physician preceptor in the clinical setting.

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements
• Bachelor's and master's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program
• Three professional letters of recommendation
• Professional resume
• Goal statement
• Admission essay
• Proof of English proficiency
• Current unencumbered RN license in the state in which the student plans to do clinical practicums
• Nationally certified as a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner

Tuition Information

Tuition information can be found on the ASU website.

Career Opportunities

This program prepares graduates for excellence upon entering the workplace. The acute care pediatric nurse practitioner role has grown exponentially in the past decade, and the demand for board-certified advanced practice acute care providers has never been higher. Careers include:

• Acute care home services
• Critical care
• Education and training of future health care providers
• Emergency care
• Inpatient hospitalist service
• Specialty service provision
• Transport teams

Professional Licensure

ASU programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification are intended to prepare students for potential licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in another state.