3 Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs in Florida (Online & Campus) – 2025
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
Are you a Sunshine State nurse with a natural rapport with children? Consider advancing your professional career by enrolling in one of the many pediatric nurse practitioner programs in Florida. Pediatric nurse practitioners are in high demand; experts say Florida will need 71 percent more PNPs than it presently has over the next decade. Pediatric nurse practitioners average $108,850 in Florida, and they have their choice of jobs in private physician practices, hospitals, and community clinics. Start your new career path today by reading about the 3 best pediatric nurse practitioner programs in Florida for 2025.
FOLLOWING ARE THE 3 PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN FLORIDA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025
1. Florida International University - Miami
Programs Offered: MSN,
BSN-to-DNP, and
Post-Graduate Certificate
MSN Concentrations: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Dual Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner/Nurse Educator
BSN-to-DNP Concentrations: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Graduate Certificate Concentrations: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
About the School: If you are keen on becoming a PNP in the ‘’Sunshine State’’, then obtaining your degree from one of the best pediatric nurse practitioner programs in Florida must be your top priority. Florida International University is a place that offers some great PNP pathways. Here, you can enroll either in the MSN, BSN to DNP, or post-graduate certificate program, depending on your previous nursing degree. What’s more, the college has earned acclaim for its excellent quality graduate education and also ranks among the U.S. News & World Report’s top graduate nursing schools.
MSN Program Details: This MSN-pediatric primary care program is a curriculum comprising 45 credits and 630 clinical hours. You will take courses in the theories of nursing, pathophysiology, pharmacology, research methods, health assessment, and advanced diagnostics. The coursework also prepares you for evidence-based care of newborns, children, and adolescents who are suffering from common and chronic illnesses.
In addition, the MSN program also offers a unique dual specialization in pediatric primary care and nursing education. This dual track which is one of a kind in Florida prepares you to play leadership roles in pediatric primary care education. If you are passionate about teaching aspiring PNPs, then through this program you will be able to fulfill your dream of training competent pediatric nurse practitioners. To graduate, you require completing 60 credits in PNP and Nurse Educator-related courses.
MSN Program Length: While the single PNP track spans six semesters, the dual specialty track takes nine semesters to complete.
MSN Admission Requirements: To be eligible for the MSN program, you must have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also, your RN license must be valid in Florida. To fulfill the admission requirements, you must submit three letters of recommendation, a written essay, and a resume.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The BSN-to-DNP program prepares you to provide the highest level of care to pediatric patients suffering from common and chronic illnesses. This pediatric nurse practitioner program in Florida requires completing 77 credits in the graduate core, PNP-specific courses, and the DNP project. In addition, you must also complete 1170 hours of clinical training. The program starts in fall, with courses in MSN-core and pediatric advanced practice nursing. Upon completion of the first six semesters of the program, you will be conferred the MSN degree and you will be eligible to take the PNP certification exam. Thereafter, you will continue with the program to complete courses in organizational dynamics of health systems and healthcare finance & economics.
BSN-to-DNP Program Length: The BSN-to-DNP program spans 10 semesters of full-time study.
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To gain admission into this BSN-to-DNP program, you must foremost have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also, your RN license must be valid in Florida. Additionally, you must submit a written essay, three professional letters of reference, and a resume.
Post- Graduate Certificate Program Details: If you already have an MSN and wish to specialize in the area of pediatrics, then this certificate program will be right for you. This PNP program in Florida enhances your existing graduate nursing knowledge, requiring you to complete only 32 credits. Upon graduation, you will be eligible to take the PNP certification exam.
Post- Graduate Certificate Program Length: The length of the program varies and depends on the exact number of courses you need to graduate.
Post- Graduate Certificate Admission Requirements: Admission into this program is highly competitive. To be considered, you must have an accredited MSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also, you must hold a valid RN or APRN license in Florida.
Interesting Highlights For Potential Florida International University PMHNP Students
• The college offers several professional networking opportunities and becoming a member of the FIU Student Nurses Association is just one of them.
• The college not only ranks amongst the best MSN programs in the nation but also in the best DNP programs list according to U.S. News & World Report.
2. University of South Florida - Tampa
Programs Offered: MSN and
BSN-to-DNP
MSN Concentrations: Pediatric Health Nursing
BSN-to-DNP Concentrations: Pediatric Health Nursing
About the School: University of South Florida offers some great PNP programs in Florida. If you are keen on joining the advanced practice nursing workforce as a certified PNP, then here, you can enroll either in the MSN or the BSN to DNP program. The university is proudly one of the prominent research centers in the state, providing students with an environment of innovation and interprofessional learning.
MSN Program Details: This PNP program in Florida requires the completion of 45 credits. The curriculum comprises 24 credits of core courses and 16 credits of PNP-specific courses. The core courses teach you research and evidence-based practice, health promotion, clinical prevention & population health, and organizational and systems leadership. Additionally, you are required to complete courses in advanced health assessment, advanced physiology & pathophysiology, and pharmacotherapeutics. The PNP-specific courses mainly train you in the healthcare management of infants, children and adolescents. Upon graduation, you will be eligible to take the PNP certification exam.
MSN Program Length: The program is available for part-time and full-time enrollment. On a full-time basis, you will complete this program within two years. The length of the part-time program depends on the number of courses you take each semester.
MSN Admission Requirements: Admission into this MSN program requires you to have an accredited BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. In addition, your RN license must be valid in Florida.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: This practice-focused BSN-to-DNP program trains you for the highest level of clinical practice. You will develop advanced skills in clinical judgment, evidence-based practice, and leadership. This pediatric nurse practitioner program in Florida requires completing 75 credits in core courses, PNP-specific courses, clinical courses, and the DNP project. Also, at the end of the coursework, you will take the comprehensive qualifying exam that prepares you for the PNP certification exam.
BSN-to-DNP Program Length: Most students complete this program within 2.5 years of enrollment.
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To qualify for this BSN-to-DNP program, you must have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also, an active RN license in Florida is required. You must have also completed a statistics course with a minimum grade of B.
Interesting Highlights For Potential University of South Florida PMHNP Students
• The MSN program is also open to non-nurses who desire to enter the advanced practice nursing workforce. If you enter as a non-nurse, you will require taking an additional 15 credits of bridge courses, after which you will proceed with the MSN-PNP coursework.
• The college embraces diversity, having almost 45% of its students coming from ethnic minorities. The multicultural and multiracial environment thus created is enriching, helping PNP students develop enhanced cultural competence and critical thinking.
3. University of Florida - Gainesville
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Concentrations: Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Dual Pediatric Acute & Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
About the School: Out of all the pediatric nurse practitioner programs in Florida, the University of Florida’s pediatric program offers training in both primary as well as acute care. Ranked #1 in FL, the college’s DNP-PNP program has consistently earned the U.S. News & World Report’s recognition. Besides, it has relentlessly worked towards health promotion and disease prevention by producing leaders in advanced practice nursing. Here, through its BSN to DNP program, you can specialize either in pediatric acute care, or primary acute care or instead do a dual specialization in acute and primary pediatric nursing.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: This BSN-to-DNP program comes with three track options, Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Dual Pediatric Acute & Primary Care Nurse Practitioner.
If you choose the pediatric acute or pediatric primary care track, then you must complete around 78 credits and 1008 clinical hours. On the other hand, the dual specialty requires the completion of 93 credits and 1392 credits. Also, all three tracks require the completion of a residency in advanced nursing practice and a DNP project.
BSN-to-DNP Program Length: This pediatric nurse practitioner program in Florida, regardless of the specialization, spans eight semesters on a full-time basis. On the other hand, the part-time program takes 12 semesters to complete.
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To qualify for any one of the three specialties, you must have an accredited BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also, a valid RN license in Florida is required.
Interesting Highlights For Potential University of Florida PMHNP Students
• If you are a master's prepared APRN, who is seeking a doctorate, then you can enter the MSN to DNP pathway. This program builds on your advanced practice nursing knowledge and trains you in health improvement and organizational leadership. You require completing 35 credits and 528 clinical hours to graduate.
• As a PNP graduate, you will join the college’s large network of alumni who are relentlessly serving across the globe, some of whom are holding influential leadership positions in nursing and health policy.
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