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MSN Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The accredited online MSN Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program prepares students for advanced nursing roles as clinicians, educators, researchers, and leaders in Pediatric Acute Care. Students will also become experts in delivering care to infants, children, and adolescents with acute, critical and complex health conditions.
The program's curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the critical use of new technology, while preparing nurses to practice in an inpatient and outpatient acute or specialty clinical setting. The program follows the curricular guidelines approved by the National Taskforce on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education (2008) and follows Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Competencies (NONPF, 2002) and Critical Care Nurse Practitioner Competencies (NONPF, 2004.) Graduates are qualified to sit for certification examinations for acute care (PNCB) pediatric nurse practitioners.
Program Features
- Ranked #41 in 2020's Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs by U.S. News & World Report
- Ranked #16 in 2020's Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report
- The master's degree in nursing at Drexel University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Courses taught by experienced and board certified faculty from Drexel's acclaimed College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP)
- Access to our state-of-the-art patient simulation lab
- Graduates of the Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program are eligible for the Acute Care Pediatric exam offered by the PNCB
- Synchronous online lectures offer a highly interactive learning format that challenges and engages students
On-Campus Requirements
This high-quality program demands a major commitment of time, including multiple on-campus visits that are essential for transition into the NP role. You’ll participate in the following mandatory On-Campus Intensives:
- NURS 642 PNP I - Summer Virtual Simulation Experience (1 day)
- NURS 643 PNP II - Fall Simulation Experience (5 days)
During the On-Campus Intensives, you'll engage in simulated clinical learning experiences conducted in the College of Nursing and Health Professions' state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary patient simulation lab. These visits provide direct guidance and mentoring from faculty, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with peers.
Pennsylvania RN licensure is required prior to the start of your clinical components. While this is not a requirement for admission, we recommend starting the process immediately after admission.
Clinicals
The nurse practitioner programs in the Department of Advanced Practice Nursing at Drexel University provide you the flexibility of finding and coordinating your own clinical site and preceptor. The department also offers resources to assist you in this process. Accessibility to clinical sites and preceptors varies from state to state, and you may be required to travel to access clinical sites/preceptors and achieve the necessary clinical hours.
Online Open Houses
Learn more about this and other nursing programs from our previously recorded online open house webinar series.
Questions? We're here to help!
College of Nursing and Health Professions Program Team
CNHPGraduateDivision@drexel.edu
Online Nurse Practitioner programs are offered only on a part-time basis.
Drexel University offers a variety of Graduate Minors that can be added to any master's degree program.
State restrictions may apply to some programs.
The MSN Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program at Drexel University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Curriculum
This program is organized into four 10-week quarters per year (as opposed to the traditional two semester system) which means you can take more courses in a shorter time period. One semester credit is equivalent to 1.5 quarter credits.
| Core Courses | ||
| NURS 500 | Confronting Issues in Contemporary Health Care Environments | 3.0 |
| NURS 502 | Advanced Ethical Decision Making in Health Care | 3.0 |
| NURS 544 | Quality and Safety in Healthcare | 3.0 |
| RSCH 503 | Research Methods and Biostatistics | 3.0 |
| RSCH 504 | Evaluation and Translation of Health Research | 3.0 |
| Elective | 3.0 | |
| Support Courses | ||
| NURS 548 | Advanced Pathophysiology | 3.0 |
| NURS 549 | Advanced Pharmacology | 3.0 |
| NURS 550 | Advanced Clinical Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning | 4.0 |
| NURS 646 | Pharmacology for the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner | 3.0 |
| NURS 664 | Professional Issues for Nurse Practitioners | 1.0 |
| Clinical Courses | ||
| NURS 642 | PNP I: Primary Care of Infants, Children and Adolescents | 5.0 |
| NURS 643 | PNP II: Episodic Care of Infants, Children and Adolescents in Primary Care | 5.0 |
| NURS 649 | Ped Nurse Pract AC I: Acute-Chronic Care of Infants, Children and Adolescents Management | 5.0 |
| NURS 650 | Ped Nurse Pract AC II: Acute-Chronic Care of Infants, Children and Adolescents Management | 5.0 |
| NURS 651 | PNP Management of the Medically Fragile and Technology Dependent Child in the Community | 5.0 |
| Total Credits | 57.0 | |
Admissions Criteria
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing from program fully accredited by National League of Nursing (NLN) and/or American Association Colleges of Nursing (AACN.) The accrediting body for NLN is ACEN and the accrediting body for the American Association Colleges of Nursing is CCNE.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above from your BSN
- A minimum of one year nursing experience in a pediatric acute care setting
- A current, unrestricted United States RN license
- Current PALS certification
Required Documents
With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting our Completing Your Application Guide.
- A completed application
- Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended
- Two professional letters of recommendation from either previous or immediate supervisors or former nursing faculty members who can attest to your clinical knowledge, skill and potential aptitude for graduate study
- References will not be accepted from colleagues or family members
- Personal statement (under 1,000 words) that will give the admissions committee a better understanding of:
- Why you are choosing this particular program of study,
- Your plans upon completion of the graduate degree, and
- How your current work experience will enhance your experience in this MSN program
- Resume including specific details of your responsibilities and job experiences
- A copy of your United States RN license (License verification from your nursing license registry website is acceptable)
- A copy of your current PALS certification
- Additional requirements for International Students
Tuition
The tuition rate for the academic year 2022-2023 is $1069 per credit. (A 10% tuition savings off Drexel's regular tuition rate of $1187 per credit)
- This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
- Special tuition rates available for Drexel University Alumni, Military members, and members of our Partner Organizations.
- These rates apply only to new online students and students being readmitted.
- These rates apply only to fully online courses. Hybrid or on-campus courses may have different rates.
- Tuition rates are subject to increase with the start of each academic year in the fall term.
- All students must contact applyDUonline@drexel.edu within the first two weeks of the term to request tuition savings for which they qualify.
- Special rates cannot be combined. If you qualify for more than one special rate, you'll be given the one with the largest savings.
- When receiving special tuition plans with Drexel University Online, you may not combine them with other tuition benefits that may be available from Drexel University.
Scholarship Opportunities
At Drexel, we understand that developing a plan to finance your education is a critical step in your decision-making process. That's why we encourage students who require financial aid to fill out the FAFSA as early in the application process as possible. Learn more about Drexel's financial aid policies. In addition, nursing students are encouraged to visit the AACN to review the many scholarship opportunities that exist through the organization.
Academic Calendar
2022-2023 Academic Year
Term
Classes Begin
Classes End
Exams Begin
Exams End
Fall 2022
September 19, 2022
December 3, 2022
December 5, 2022
December 10, 2022
Winter 2023
January 9, 2023
March 18, 2023
March 20, 2023
March 25, 2023
Spring 2023
April 3, 2023
June 10, 2023
June 12, 2023
June 17, 2023
Summer 2023
June 26, 2023
September 2, 2023
September 4, 2023
September 9, 2023
2021-2022 Academic Year
Term
Classes Begin
Classes End
Exams Begin
Exams End
Fall 2021
September 20, 2021
December 4, 2021
December 6, 2021
December 11, 2021
Winter 2022
January 3, 2022
March 12, 2022
March 14, 2022
March 19, 2022
Spring 2022
March 28, 2022
June 4, 2022
June 6, 2022
June 11, 2022
Summer 2022
June 21, 2022
August 29, 2022
August 30, 2022
September 3, 2022
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