Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Acute/Chronic, MSN

Graduates of this program are prepared to provide collaborative, comprehensive care to children and adolescents with a variety of complex critical, acute and chronic conditions, and emerge as clinical and professional leaders who are expert in physical assessment and clinical decision making, managing multifaceted disorders, culturally sensitive family focused care, community engagement, transitional care and integrating health care policy.  Our approach, across all health care settings, is based on a thorough assessment and integration of the social determinants of health.

We uniquely offer three concentrations of study all housed within the Pediatric Acute Care Program.  This allows for students to approach their Graduate level education with a specific clinical focus while still receiving a broad based education in Pediatric Acute Care. Our graduates from all concentrations are able to pursue career options in any area of Pediatric Acute Care. Our Acute and Chronic Care concentration is focused on the care of children with acute and chronic conditions.  It is distinctive as it offers an emphasis and commitment to following children and families throughout chronic childhood illness.  We structure the program and clinical experiences to foster an understanding and management of families in the continuum of illness. Clinical experiences are located in diverse settings such as pediatric acute care inpatient units, step-down units, emergency departments, community sites  and ambulatory, rehabilitative, and specialty-based clinics. 

Curriculum

Research Requirement
NURS 6370Introduction to Research Methods and Design 11
or NURS 5470 Scientific Inquiry for Evidence-based Practice
Core Requirements
Science Courses
NURS 6850Advanced Developmental Physiology and Pathophysiology1
NURS 6080Advanced Pharmacology and Therapeutics for Nursing Practice1
Other Core Courses
NURS 5090The Child with Special Healthcare Needs1
Theory Courses
NURS 7200Nursing of Children Theory I: Child and Family Development1
NURS 7340Intermediate Principles of Pediatric Acute Care1
NURS 7360Advanced Principles of Pediatric Acute Care1
Clinical Courses
NURS 7210Advanced Physical Assessment Across the Life Span and Clinical Decision Making: Nursing of Children1
NURS 7350Pediatric Acute Care NP: Professional Role and Intermediate Clinical Practice1
NURS 7370Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Professional Role and Advanced Clinica1
NURS 7410Mgmnt of Chldrn with Acute and Chronic Conditions: Nursing of Children in the Community Adv Clinical1
Electives
Select 1 NURS graduate level elective1
Total Course Units12

 Plans of study are available for both full-time and part-time students.

1

The alternate course, NURS 5470, is a graduate-level research methods course approved for Penn BSN students only.

Post-Graduate APRN Certification

Penn's MSN programs include a Post-Graduate APRN Certificate option. These programs can be pursued at any time post-degree. Current Master's students are also welcome to add complementary minors to their studies: https://catalog.upenn.edu/graduate/nursing/programs/

The Post-Graduate APRN Certificate curriculum is determined after a gap analysis is made by the Program Director. Prospective students should reach out to the Admissions Office for more information about post-masters and certificate options and to request a review of the student's previous MSN transcript.  The length of each program depends on the course units required and course offerings per semester. For more information: https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/admissions/msn-and-post-masters/post-masters/.


The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.


Full Time Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
FallCourse Units
NURS 6850 Advanced Developmental Physiology and Pathophysiology 1
NURS 7200 Nursing of Children Theory I: Child and Family Development 1
NURS 7210 Advanced Physical Assessment Across the Life Span and Clinical Decision Making: Nursing of Children 1
NURS XXXX Graduate Nursing Elective 1
 Course Units4.00
Spring
NURS 6080 Advanced Pharmacology and Therapeutics for Nursing Practice 1
NURS 6370 Introduction to Research Methods and Design 1
NURS 7340 Intermediate Principles of Pediatric Acute Care 1
NURS 7350 Pediatric Acute Care NP: Professional Role and Intermediate Clinical Practice 1
 Course Units4.00
Summer
NURS 7360 Advanced Principles of Pediatric Acute Care 1
NURS 7370 Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Professional Role and Advanced Clinica 1
NURS 5090 The Child with Special Healthcare Needs 1
NURS 7410 Mgmnt of Chldrn with Acute and Chronic Conditions: Nursing of Children in the Community Adv Clinical 1
 Course Units4.00
 Total Course Units12.00

Part Time Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCourse Units
NURS 6850 Advanced Developmental Physiology and Pathophysiology 1
NURS XXXX Graduate Nursing Elective 1
 Course Units2.00
Spring
NURS 6080 Advanced Pharmacology and Therapeutics for Nursing Practice 1
NURS 6370 Introduction to Research Methods and Design 1
 Course Units2.00
Summer
NURS 5090 The Child with Special Healthcare Needs 1
 Course Units1.00
Second Year
Fall
NURS 7200 Nursing of Children Theory I: Child and Family Development 1
NURS 7210 Advanced Physical Assessment Across the Life Span and Clinical Decision Making: Nursing of Children 1
 Course Units2.00
Spring
NURS 7340 Intermediate Principles of Pediatric Acute Care 1
NURS 7350 Pediatric Acute Care NP: Professional Role and Intermediate Clinical Practice 1
 Course Units2.00
Summer
NURS 7360 Advanced Principles of Pediatric Acute Care 1
NURS 7370 Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Professional Role and Advanced Clinica 1
NURS 7410 Mgmnt of Chldrn with Acute and Chronic Conditions: Nursing of Children in the Community Adv Clinical 1
 Course Units3.00
 Total Course Units12.00