Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs in Kentucky (Online & Campus) – 2025
Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
What skills and personality traits do you need to become a first-class pediatric nurse practitioner in Kentucky? You'll need empathy, compassion, and exceptional communication skills, as well as clinical expertise and a thorough understanding of child development. You can learn those latter two skill sets by enrolling in one of the many fine pediatric nurse practitioner programs in Kentucky. PNPs in the Bluegrass State typically focus on two specialties: acute care or primary care. Kentucky-based PNPs make $108,380 annually, and their employment prospects are expected to rise by 45 percent in the next 10 years. This review of the best pediatric nurse practitioner programs in Kentucky will tell you more.
FOLLOWING ARE THE PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN KENTUCKY (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the campus-based and online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs in Kentucky.)
1. University of Kentucky - Lexington
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, and Postgraduate APRN Certificate
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-graduate APRN Certificate Offered: Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: Are you a registered nurse with a love of pediatric care and considering earning a higher degree? If so, you realize that choosing a graduate nursing program is a pivotal decision in your career. Finding a program that aligns with your professional goals and passion will help prepare you, not just to provide good patient care, but to make a lasting impact on your patients, your organization, and the nursing profession.
At the University of Kentucky, you will find one of the best pediatric nurse practitioner programs in Kentucky. The program offers a few pathways to becoming a Pediatric Primary Care or Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, including the BSN-to-DNP program. The program can be completed in three years of full-time study. However, if you require a more flexible schedule, the school also offers a five-year part-time plan and a modified four-year plan of study. Admission to this program occurs once per year in the fall semester.
While DNP nursing courses are delivered online, some campus visits are required. DNP core courses require attendance on campus once per semester to participate in skills immersions. Specialty courses require attendance from one to six days each semester.
Both the Acute Care and Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner pathways require the completion of 74 credits. 1,020 clinical hours are embedded in the curriculum.
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission to the BSN-to-DNP program, you need a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited program and a current, unrestricted RN license. As part of the application process, you are required to submit three references, a Personal Statement, a current resume or curriculum vitae, a sample of scholarly written work, and official transcripts from all post-secondary schools you have attended. While candidates with an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher are preferred, in some instances, provisional admission may be extended. Provisional admission decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. An interview with program faculty is also required.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: The MSN-to-DNP program at U-K is another excellent option for prospective students seeking a pediatric nurse practitioner program in Kentucky. The program is designed to allow master’s-prepared registered nurses to earn a terminal nursing degree and specialize as a pediatric nurse practitioner in either primary or acute care. The program admits students in the fall semester annually and is designed to be completed in eight semesters.
The MSN-to-DNP program features online coursework and in-person clinicals. Minimal campus visits are required once per semester during DNP core courses and up to six days per semester when taking DNP specialty courses.
While the Acute Care and Primary Care PNP post-master’s pathways feature 51-credit curriculum plans, a GAP analysis is performed upon admission to determine an individual plan of study for each student. All DNP students at the University of Kentucky are required to complete a minimum of 1,020 clinical hours. The curriculum plans include 780 hours of direct patient care clinical hours as well as 240 indirect clinical hours, which are earned through completion of a DNP Scholarly Project.
MSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: If you have a baccalaureate degree and a master’s degree in nursing and a current RN license (and APRN license, if applicable), you are eligible to apply for admission to the MSN-to-DNP program at the University of Kentucky. In addition to completing an admission application, you need to submit three letters of recommendation, a Personal Statement, a CV or resume, and a scholarly writing sample. You must also provide official transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is preferred. Once your admission application is reviewed, you will be notified and required to interview with program faculty.
Post-graduate APRN Certificate Program Details: The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Acute or Primary) Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Program at the University of Kentucky is designed for nurses who have an advanced practice nursing degree and wish to specialize as Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. The program admits students twice each year in the fall and spring.
APRN specialty courses are delivered in a hybrid immersion format. Campus attendance may be required up to six days each semester. The curriculum plans for the Post-Graduate APRN Certificate programs require 23-32 credits. Upon admission, a GAP analysis will be conducted to determine which courses may be transferred from your previous degree programs and which ones need to be taken as part of the Post-Graduate Certificate program. All students in the Pediatric NP Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program are required to complete a total of 780 clinical hours.
Post-graduate APRN Certificate Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission to the Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program, you need a Master of Science or doctoral degree in nursing and a current, active, unencumbered RN license and APRN license (if applicable). You must complete a College of Nursing application via NursingCAS and submit two letters of recommendation, all post-secondary transcripts (official), a current resume or CV, and participate in an interview with program faculty.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Like many rural areas, approximately 40% of children in Kentucky live in areas where access to pediatric health services is limited. As a pediatric nurse, I find the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Kentucky particularly appealing due to its focus on community relevance and clinical excellence. The program is designed to address the gap in pediatric healthcare, training students who are not just clinically competent but also deeply committed to addressing disparities in healthcare and serving vulnerable pediatric populations.• Finding the right graduate program is crucial if you want to receive a high-quality education and be prepared for practice. As a nurse educator, I recommend looking for schools that have a good reputation and a record of student success. For example, the University of Kentucky’s DNP program is consistently ranked among the top in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. This recognition reflects the School of Nursing’s commitment to academic rigor and student success.
• If you value learning from experienced nurses who share the same passions as you, pursuing the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Kentucky is an excellent option. The PNP program is taught by faculty who are actively engaged in policy advocacy and research, which means you will have access to cutting-edge knowledge and opportunities to participate in specialty-specific research and scholarly projects.
• Upon completion of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Kentucky, you will be eligible to sit for the exam to become nationally certified. The program has an excellent record of preparing graduates for these national exams, which is reflected in the 100% pass rate among first-time testers!
HOW MUCH DO PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER GRADUATES MAKE IN KENTUCKY?
WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN KENTUCKY EXPECT?
| Hourly | $38.34 |
| Weekly | $1,533 |
| Monthly | $6,650 |
| Annual | $79,740 |
HOW MUCH CAN GRADUATES OF PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN KENTUCKY EARN WITH EXPERIENCE?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Entry-Level | $38.34 | $1,533 | $6,650 | $79,740 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $43.38 | $1,735 | $7,520 | $90,220 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $51.20 | $2,048 | $8,880 | $106,500 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $57.02 | $2,281 | $9,880 | $118,600 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $68.14 | $2,726 | $11,810 | $141,730 |
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN KENTUCKY?
| Hourly | $52.11 |
| Weekly | $2,084 |
| Monthly | $9,030 |
| Annual | $108,380 |
HOW MUCH DO PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONERS EARN IN THE VARIOUS METROS OF KENTUCKY?
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Bowling Green | $50.38 | $2,015 | $8,730 | $104,800 |
| Elizabethtown-Fort Knox | $53.27 | $2,131 | $9,230 | $110,810 |
| Lexington-Fayette | $54.39 | $2,176 | $9,430 | $113,140 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $54.38 | $2,175 | $9,430 | $113,100 |
| Owensboro | $53.39 | $2,136 | $9,260 | $111,060 |
PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN KENTUCKY VS. OTHER SALARIES
PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN KENTUCKY VS. PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN THE NATION
| Average Kentucky Pediatric NP Annual Salary | Average National Pediatric NPAnnual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $108,380 | $126,175 | -$17,795 | -14.10% |
PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN KENTUCKY VS. PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARIES IN OTHER STATES
| State | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| California | $158,630 | -$50,250 | -31.68% |
| Nevada | $145,990 | -$37,610 | -25.76% |
| Washington | $142,780 | -$34,400 | -24.09% |
| New Jersey | $142,420 | -$34,040 | -23.90% |
| Oregon | $142,340 | -$33,960 | -23.86% |
| Massachusetts | $141,420 | -$33,040 | -23.36% |
| New York | $140,260 | -$31,880 | -22.73% |
| Connecticut | $134,510 | -$26,130 | -19.43% |
| New Mexico | $134,310 | -$25,930 | -19.31% |
| Minnesota | $132,580 | -$24,200 | -18.25% |
| District of Columbia | $132,420 | -$24,040 | -18.15% |
| Rhode Island | $131,060 | -$22,680 | -17.31% |
| Hawaii | $130,220 | -$21,840 | -16.77% |
| Arizona | $130,170 | -$21,790 | -16.74% |
| Delaware | $128,750 | -$20,370 | -15.82% |
| Iowa | $128,460 | -$20,080 | -15.63% |
| New Hampshire | $128,380 | -$20,000 | -15.58% |
| Texas | $127,670 | -$19,290 | -15.11% |
| Wisconsin | $126,020 | -$17,640 | -14.00% |
| Maryland | $125,680 | -$17,300 | -13.77% |
| Utah | $125,520 | -$17,140 | -13.66% |
| North Dakota | $125,460 | -$17,080 | -13.61% |
| Pennsylvania | $125,150 | -$16,770 | -13.40% |
| Illinois | $124,610 | -$16,230 | -13.02% |
| Alaska | $123,900 | -$15,520 | -12.53% |
| Vermont | $123,830 | -$15,450 | -12.48% |
| Montana | $122,390 | -$14,010 | -11.45% |
| Idaho | $122,310 | -$13,930 | -11.39% |
| Oklahoma | $122,090 | -$13,710 | -11.23% |
| Wyoming | $121,330 | -$12,950 | -10.67% |
| Indiana | $121,100 | -$12,720 | -10.50% |
| Maine | $120,720 | -$12,340 | -10.22% |
| Ohio | $120,660 | -$12,280 | -10.18% |
| Colorado | $119,790 | -$11,410 | -9.53% |
| Nebraska | $119,490 | -$11,110 | -9.30% |
| North Carolina | $119,400 | -$11,020 | -9.23% |
| Georgia | $118,970 | -$10,590 | -8.90% |
| South Dakota | $118,800 | -$10,420 | -8.77% |
| Virginia | $118,690 | -$10,310 | -8.69% |
| Michigan | $118,510 | -$10,130 | -8.55% |
| Florida | $117,550 | -$9,170 | -7.80% |
| Kansas | $117,120 | -$8,740 | -7.46% |
| Louisiana | $116,530 | -$8,150 | -6.99% |
| Mississippi | $115,370 | -$6,990 | -6.06% |
| South Carolina | $114,830 | -$6,450 | -5.62% |
| Missouri | $114,580 | -$6,200 | -5.41% |
| West Virginia | $111,410 | -$3,030 | -2.72% |
| Arkansas | $111,370 | -$2,990 | -2.68% |
| Kentucky | $108,380 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Alabama | $108,040 | +$340 | +0.31% |
| Tennessee | $101,850 | +$6,530 | +6.41% |
PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN KENTUCKY VS. OTHER NURSE SALARIES IN KENTUCKY
| Type of Nurse | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Nurse Anesthetist | $185,630 | -$77,250 | -41.62% |
| Pediatric Nurse Practitioner | $108,380 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Registered Nurse | $81,770 | +$26,610 | +32.54% |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Post-secondary | $79,370 | +$29,010 | +36.55% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $55,100 | +$53,280 | +96.70% |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,980 | +$72,400 | +201.22% |
PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER SALARY IN KENTUCKY VS. SALARIES OF OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OCCUPATIONS IN KENTUCKY
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Dentist | $186,480 | -$78,100 | -41.88% |
| Optometrist | $161,300 | -$52,920 | -32.81% |
| Pharmacist | $131,020 | -$22,640 | -17.28% |
| Pediatric Nurse Practitioner | $108,380 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Veterinarian | $104,380 | +$4,000 | +3.83% |
| Physician Assistant | $99,290 | +$9,090 | +9.16% |
| Radiation Therapist | $95,720 | +$12,660 | +13.23% |
| Physical Therapist | $87,480 | +$20,900 | +23.89% |
| Occupational Therapist | $86,860 | +$21,520 | +24.78% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,310 | +$25,070 | +30.09% |
| Chiropractor | $82,040 | +$26,340 | +32.11% |
| Audiologist | $76,370 | +$32,010 | +41.91% |
| Dental Hygienist | $73,850 | +$34,530 | +46.76% |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs In Kentucky?
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
2. How Many Accredited Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Schools Are There In Kentucky?
| 1 |
3. On Average, How Much Does A Pediatric NP Make Per Hour In Kentucky?
| $52.11 |
4. On Average, How Much Does A Pediatric NP Make Per Week In Kentucky?
| $2,084 |
5. On Average, How Much Does A Pediatric NP Make Per Month In Kentucky?
| $9,030 |
6. On Average, How Much Does A Pediatric NP Make Per Year In Kentucky?
| $108,380 |
7. What Is The Job Outlook For Pediatric Nurse Practitioners In Kentucky?
| 10-Year Job Outlook (2020-2030) |
| +45.24% |
Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and Allied Health educator with over twenty years of experience. She has assisted in developing curriculum for nursing programs and has instructed students at both community college and university levels. Because of her love of nursing education, Darby became a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach and assists nursing graduates across the United States who are preparing to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
Best Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs in Other States