Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNP) provide primary care to infants, children, and adolescents. The focus of the PNP concentration at the UNM College of Nursing is on providing primary care for children especially for underserved populations. Individuals from New Mexico and those interested in providing primary care for underserved children are particularly encouraged to apply. Year round full time study begins in the Summer term for six consecutive terms. After successfully passing the certification exams graduates will be eligible to become certified in New Mexico and nationally.
Objectives
At the completion of the program, the graduate will be able to:
- Work collaboratively with other health care professionals to provide comprehensive care to children and their families and identify those children who require referrals to other health care providers.
- Provide well-child care and manage children (of all ages) who have acute and/or chronic illnesses.
- Use current research findings as a basis for practice and improve health care through participation in research.
Admission Requirements
- Hold a bachelor’s degree (e.g., B.S.N.) from an accredited college or university, with an upper-division major in nursing. (Graduates from non-accredited programs [N.L.N. or C.C.N.E.] and RN’s with baccalaureate degree in non-nursing fields are considered on an individual basis.)
- At least two years of experience as a registered nurse is recommended.
- Have a minimum grade point average for baccalaureate work of B (3.0) or better.
- Be registered in or eligible for nursing licensure in New Mexico with a New Mexico R.N. license obtained within the first term enrolled.
- Complete of the online application. The online application can be accessed by clicking on the link. Letters of recommendation, letter of intent, and a professional resume are required as part of the application process. See the online application guidelines for further information.
- An interview is required as part of the admissions process.
- PALS certification is required before beginning clinical coursework.
- Students who seek admission with existing graduate degrees in Nursing (Master's or Doctorate) will be able to pursue the ACNP curriculum as a Post Master's certificate. However, their applications are considered along with all other applications.
Classes in Terms 3-5 are in consecutive concentrated days in 1- to 2-week periods throughout the term. Clinical experiences are arranged in blocks between the didactic sessions. Clinical experiences may require travel to rural facilities in New Mexico or neighboring states, which will have additional financial implications. After taking the Comprehensive Examination early in Term 6, the term is almost exclusively clinical practicum, with seminars arranged as needed.
Curriculum
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the PNP concentration part time?
No, the PNP concentration is a full time program.
What nonclinical courses are required for the PNP concentration?
The nonclinical core courses include:
- NURS 501 Nursing Theory 3 hours
- NURS 503 Nursing Research 3 hours
- NURS 505 Health Care Policy 3 hours
- NURS 504 Evidence Based Practice in Nursing and Health Care 3 hours
Are the non clinical courses offered on the Web?
Yes.
What are the clinical core courses?
The following courses are clinical core courses:
- NURS 526 Advanced Pathophysiology 3 hours
- NURS 539 Advanced Pediatric Health and Developmental Assessment 4 hours
- NURS 543 Pharmacology 3 hours
Are any of the clinical core courses offered on the Web?
NURS 526 Advanced Pathophysiology and NURS 543 Pharmacology are both offered on the Web.
What are the PNP clinical courses?
The PNP clinical core courses are:
- NURS 539 Advanced Pediatric Health and Developmental Assessment 48 clinical hours
- NURS 549 Adolescent Health 72 clinical hours
- NURS 542 Ambulatory Pediatrics I 72 clinical hours
- NURS 547 Pediatric Chronic Illness/Special Needs 144 clinical hours
- NURS 546 Ambulatory Pediatrics II 96 clinical hours
When does clinical rotation start?
We do not offer every PNP clinical course every semester, so students must take the courses in sequential order (see PNP Curriculum Plan). The PNP clinical core courses are taught in a block format.
Students attend lecture for 3 weeks straight, then they go to their clinical sites for 4 to 5 weeks, then they return for lectures for 2 weeks, then they do another 4 to 5 weeks of clinical rotation, and then they return for a final 1 week of lectures. During the time they are in the didactic block, they are usually in lecture 8 hours every day. The block schedule varies every semester.
What is the total number of clinical hours?
This concentration has a total of 720 clinical hours.
Will I get to visit any rural sites?
We use a variety of sites, including sites in rural areas. All students in this concentration are expected to travel outside of the Albuquerque area for a minimum of two clinical rotations in a 2-year period. It is the responsibility of the faculty to place students. If students are from a rural area, we make every effort to place them in that area for their clinical rotation; however, we cannot guarantee clinical site rotations.
If I have an MSN, how can I get a PNP?
Students with an MSN will have already completed the core courses. They will be responsible for taking the remaining PNP courses. They must have taken graduate level pathophysiology and pharmacology courses within the past 5 years. Faculty will review any advanced pediatric health assessment courses on a case-by-base basis.