3 Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs in Georgia (Online & Campus) – 2024


Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org

Pediatric nurse practitioners care for infants, toddlers, children, teens, and young adults with chronic diseases first identified when they were children. Graduates of pediatric nurse practitioner programs in Georgia earn approximately $113,920 a year, and the demand for their services is expected to increase by nearly 78.61 percent in the next decade. As a PNP, you’ll work in a range of healthcare practice settings, including hospitals, private pediatrician practices, and community agencies. Does pediatric nurse practice sound like the right career move for you? Learn more by reading about the 3 best pediatric nurse practitioner programs in Georgia for 2024 below.


FOLLOWING ARE THE 3 PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN GEORGIA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2024


1. Emory University - Atlanta


Programs Offered: MSN, Post BSN DNP / Post MN DNP, and MN-to-MSN

MSN Concentrations: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Post BSN DNP / Post MN DNP Concentrations: Pediatric Acute Care NP and Pediatric Primary Care NP

MN-to-MSN Concentrations: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner


About the School: If you are considering applying to one of the best pediatric nurse practitioner programs in Georgia, then Emory University’s PNP programs must certainly be on your list. The college not only offers PNP pathways for nurses and non-nurses but also allows you to specialize either in pediatric primary care or pediatric acute care, based on your interests.

The college has consistently produced leaders in nursing who relentlessly work towards health improvement and disease prevention within the state of Georgia and beyond. Here, based on your previous nursing education, you can enroll either in the MSN, BSN to DNP, MSN to DNP, or MN to MSN.

MSN Program Details: This MSN program comes with specialization options in pediatric primary care and pediatric acute care.

The primary care track prepares you for the examination, evaluation, and treatment of chronic illnesses in newborns, children, and adolescents. To graduate, you require completing 47 credits and 780 clinical hours. In addition to the graduate core courses, this track also entails the completion of specialty-specific courses in pediatric primary care advanced practice nursing.

On the other, if you are inclined towards caring for critically ill pediatric patients, then you can opt for the pediatric acute care NP track. By completing the 47 credits and 780 clinical hours, you will be well-versed in the management and treatment of acutely and critically ill patients, from birth through young adulthood.

Regardless of the track you enter, the common courses that you take include advanced physiology, pathophysiology, pediatric wellness, advanced pharmacology, research & evidence-based practice, and healthcare quality & patient safety. In addition, this pediatric nurse practitioner program in Georgia also equips you with the skills required for innovations in advanced practice leadership. Both tracks are offered online to accommodate the needs of working students.


MSN Program Length: Regardless of the track, you can complete this MSN program within two years of full-time. Alternatively, you can also enroll part-time for which the length of the program will depend on the number of courses you complete each semester.

MSN Admission Requirements: For admission into this MSN-PNP program in Georgia, you must foremost have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also, a valid RN license is required. If you are opting for the acute care track, then you must have at least one year of full-time experience in acute care nursing.

Post BSN DNP/Post MN DNP Program Details: If you are keen on acquiring clinical skills at the highest level, then enrolling in Emory’s DNP pathway may be a good idea. The college offers two entry points, one after a BSN and the other after an MSN. Regardless of at what point you enter; you can choose from either primary care or acute care in pediatrics. To graduate from the BSN to DNP program, regardless of the specialty track, you are required to complete 74 credits and a minimum of 1,140 clinical hours. On the other hand, graduation requirements for the MSN to DNP pathway are tailored according to individual student needs.

The DNP curriculum, in addition to preparing you in the specialized care of your pediatric population focus, also makes you adept in healthcare informatics, interprofessional collaboration, and healthcare leadership.


Post BSN DNP/Post MN DNP Program Length: On a full-time basis, the BSN to DNP track takes 2.5 years to complete. The length of the MSN to DNP pathways varies and depends on the courses you must complete.

Post BSN DNP/Post MN DNP Admission Requirements: To be eligible for either of the PNP-DNP pathways, you must have an accredited BSN or MSN and a valid RN license in Georgia.

MN-to-MSN Program Details: If you are a non-nurse who finds a calling in pediatric nursing, then this MN-MSN program can be a perfect stepping stone to a successful career as a pediatric nurse practitioner. This pediatric nurse practitioner program in Georgia is offered only with the pediatric primary care specialization. Within the first 15 months, this fast-track program prepares you for the NXLEX-RN exam after which you can earn the status of a registered nurse. Post the RN licensure, you continue with the program to complete the MSN and PNP-specific courses. To graduate, you must complete 60 credits and 531 clinical hours.


MN-to-MSN Program Length: Most students complete this program within two years of enrollment.

MN-to-MSN Admission Requirements: To be eligible for application, you must have a bachelor’s degree in another field with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also, the college requires that you have completed prerequisites in physical sciences, math, and social science with a minimum grade of C.

Interesting Highlights For Potential Emory University PMHNP Students

• The college offers several funding opportunities to PNP students, having almost 92 percent of students receiving some sort of funding.

• The college emphasizes clinical training and provides PNP students with a broad range of clinical experience at various sites locally and across the nation. Also, clinical placements are arranged keeping individual student goals in mind.


2. Augusta University - Augusta


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and Post-Graduate Certificate

BSN-to-DNP Concentrations: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Post-Graduate Certificate Concentrations: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner


About the School: Are you aspiring to transform healthcare within the field of pediatrics? If so, then Augusta University’s PNP training can help you acquire the highest level of clinical skills in pediatric health care. As Georgia’s first DNP program, the college has been a leader in producing competent advanced practice nurses. Counted among the well-known PNP programs in Georgia, the college offers a BSN to DNP and a post-graduate certificate. Through these two PNP pathways, the college has significantly contributed to health improvement and disease prevention in the state.

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The BSN-to-DNP program makes you a leader in the primary health care of newborns, children, and young adults. The hybrid format of the coursework offers a fine blend of online and offline learning. This pediatric nurse practitioner program in Georgia requires you to complete 77 credits and a minimum of 1157 clinical hours. By completing this coursework, you will master concepts in evidence-based practice, advanced pathophysiology, health care management, advanced health assessment, population health, and health care policy. You will also develop skills in diagnostics & clinical reasoning, health promotion, and the management of acute & common health problems in pediatric patients, ranging from birth to adolescence.


BSN-to-DNP Program Length: While the full-time program takes three years to complete, the part-time curriculum spans four years.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be able to apply to this BSN-to-DNP PNP program, you must have an accredited BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. In addition, you must hold a valid RN license in GA. Also, it is preferred that you have at least one year of professional work experience.

Post- Graduate Certificate Program Details: If you are an advanced practice nurse and are keen on expanding your scope of practice, then this post-graduate certificate can be an excellent choice. This PNP program in Georgia leverages your APRN education and prepares you for a career as a certified PNP. Graduation requires the completion of a minimum of 19 credits and 549 clinical hours. The coursework focuses on health promotion and the management of chronic health problems in children from birth through adolescence.


Post- Graduate Certificate Program Length: Most students complete this program within 1.5 years of full-time study.

Post- Graduate Certificate Admission Requirements: The post-graduate PNP certificate is open to APRNs prepared either at the master's or doctoral level. Also, your GPA in your graduate nursing degree must not be below 3.0.

Interesting Highlights For Potential Augusta University PMHNP Students

• To make your education affordable, the college offers a wide range of scholarships to eligible PNP students.

• The college is a military-friendly school, offering robust support to PNP students coming from the U.S. Army. You will be provided the resources to make your PNP training rather smooth and affordable.


3. Georgia State University - Atlanta


Programs Offered: RN-to-MSN, MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate

RN-to-MSN Concentrations: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

MSN Concentrations: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

BSN-to-DNP Concentrations: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Post-Master’s Certificate Concentrations: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner


About the School: If you are looking for pediatric nurse practitioner programs in Georgia that can take your career from an RN to a PNP, rather seamlessly, then you are in the right place. Georgia State University offers some great PNP programs for registered nurses who are ready to take the next step in their nursing careers. So here, you have the RN to MSN, MSN, BSN to DNP, and the post-master’s certificate program to choose from, depending on where you are in your journey to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. No matter what you choose, you will achieve affordable education under the mentorship of a dedicated faculty. Also, with the majority of the coursework offered online, the college offers you the flexibility of juggling academic goals with other life responsibilities.

RN-to-MSN Program Details: This pediatric nurse practitioner program in Georgia takes your ADN education straight to the graduate level. The coursework comprises 54 credits and classes are offered online. Because the program is designed for RNs with an associate or diploma, the curriculum entails completing two bridge courses, including caring for families & communities and leadership & management, worth a total of eight credits. In addition to the bridge courses, you complete 22 credits worth of core courses in advanced concepts in pathophysiology, health assessment, pharmacology, research methods, and interpersonal collaboration. Further, you complete 26-credits of PNP-related courses that prepare you to manage and treat common and chronic health problems in infants, children, and adolescents.


RN-to-MSN Program Length: If you opt for full-time enrollment, you can complete the program within two to three years. Alternatively, part-timers who prefer the slower pace, complete this program within three to four years.

RN-to-MSN Admission Requirements: To be eligible for this RN-to-MSN-PNP program, you must have completed an ADN or diploma program in nursing from an accredited college. Additionally, you must hold a valid RN license in GA. Besides, you must have at least a year of nursing experience preferably in pediatrics.

MSN Program Details: The MSN coursework comprises 48 credits, including 22-credits of core courses and 26 credits of PNP-specific courses. The core courses build on your BSN education and strengthen your knowledge and skills in key advanced practice nursing competencies. Further, the PNP courses equip you with specialized skills in the primary care of infants, children, and adolescents suffering from common and chronic health issues.


MSN Program Length: On a full-time basis, you can complete this MSN-PNP program within two years. If you enroll part-time, you will take almost three to four years to graduate.

MSN Admission Requirements: This MSN program accepts applications from BSN graduates holding an active RN license in Georgia. Additionally, the college requires you to fulfill other admission requirements such as the submission of transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal goals statement.

BSN-to-DNP Program Details: This PNP program in Georgia is a great option if you aspire to play leadership roles in advanced practice nursing. The coursework comprises 81 credits and 1000 hours of clinical practice. Upon enrollment, you first complete the advanced practice nursing courses and then progress to complete the doctoral courses. The program ends with a DNP project where you use the newly acquired knowledge to solve a healthcare issue.


BSN-to-DNP Program Length: The program spans 10 semesters or 2.5 years of full-time study.

BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be eligible for this BSN-to-DNP pathway, you must be a registered nurse prepared at the baccalaureate level. Also, your RN license must be valid in the state of Georgia.

Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: If you want to earn the PNP certification by leveraging your MSN education, then this post-master’s certificate is right for you. The program offers an individualized coursework based on each student’s academic needs. While a minimum of 26 credits in PNP-specific courses are required, you may require to earn additional credits if haven’t already completed the required core courses in your MSN.


Post-Master’s Certificate Program Length: The length of the program depends on the number of courses you need to graduate. However, your duration of completion may be anywhere from one to two years of full-time study.

Post-Master’s Certificate Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission, you must have an accredited master's degree in nursing. Besides, a valid RN license in GA is required and any related nursing work experience of at least one year is preferred.

Interesting Highlights For Potential Georgia State University PMHNP Students

• The college reports an excellent pass rate on the PNP national certification. This is a good indicator of the high-quality, result-oriented education you can expect to receive when you enroll in any of its PNP pathways.

• To accommodate the needs of working students, the college offers a fine blend of online and offline learning, with most of the didactic coursework offered online and only a few visits required to the college’s Atlanta campus. This flexibility allows most of its PNP students to continue with full-time employment while pursuing their PNP training.



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