School of Nursing

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Dual D.N.P. Degree Program — Primary Care (PNP-PC) and Acute Care (PNP-AC)

OHSU nursing student wearing a stethoscope, listening to a child’s heartbeat during a clinical practice session.
OHSU nursing students develop specialized skills to provide compassionate care for children as pediatric nurse practitioners.

OHSU’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) program offers a dual track that prepares you for certification in both primary (PNP-PC) and acute (PNP-AC) care for children (birth to 21 years old).

Advance your career with a dual Pediatric Nurse Practitioner D.N.P. degree

  • Dual preparation. Earn both your primary care and acute care degrees, preparing for certification in each area. 
  • Increase your earning potential. A dual degree opens doors to higher salaries and more job opportunities. 
  • High-quality nursing education. Learn from pediatric nursing leaders at Oregon’s only academic health center. 
  • Top clinical experience. Get hands-on training at nationally ranked children’s hospitals. 
  • Quick path to your future. Complete your degree in just three years. 

Nursing scholarships

OHSU offers more nursing scholarships than ever before. See if you qualify. 

Admission and application requirements

Admissions

Check these must-haves before applying for the PNP program. 

  • B.S. or B.S.N. in nursing
  • A GPA of 3.0 across all undergraduate and graduate courses, including all science courses

Talk to an admissions counselor.

How to Apply

  • Apply by Aug. 1 for a fall start.
  • Go to Nursing CAS and apply.
  • Enter your college courses in Nursing CAS.
  • Submit 3 letters of reference, your resume and essays in Nursing CAS.
  • Send transcripts to Nursing CAS. Contact Nursing CAS to ensure your transcripts arrive.

View application requirements.

Tuition and scholarships

  • Cost: $699 per credit for Oregon residents and $908 for non-residents. Learn more about tuition and fees.
  • Scholarships: Access more nursing scholarships than ever before. You may also qualify for loan forgiveness and repayment programs.

Explore nursing scholarships.

Classes and degree requirements

You need 111 credits to complete the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner D.N.P. degree program. This includes 25 practicum course credits and 7 D.N.P. project course credits.

Learn more about classes and requirements.

Why earn your PNP degree at OHSU?

OHSU’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner D.N.P. Degree Program is the only dual D.N.P.-P.N.P. degree program on the west coast. Earn your primary and acute care degrees in less time. 

  • Advance your career with a dual degree. A dual degree opens doors to more career opportunities and higher salaries. Many practices actively recruit dually prepared pediatric nurse practitioners due to their ability to see patients in both primary and acute care settings.
  • Learn in a flexible, mostly online program. The hybrid program offers you the flexibility to continue to work while you earn your degree. 
  • Earn a high-quality education.  Learn from experienced faculty known for their research and innovations in clinical care. 

Still have questions? Contact an admission counselor to schedule a call.    

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner D.N.P degree program FAQs

What is the highest degree for a pediatric nurse?

The highest degree a pediatric nurse can earn is a D.N.P. OHSU offers a dual degree program where you can earn a primary care (PNP-PC) and acute care (PNP-AC) degree.

What skills will I learn with dual preparation in both primary and acute care?

The primary care track focuses on providing ongoing, comprehensive care to pediatric patients and their families in the outpatient setting. It emphasizes building long-term relationships and covers topics like child growth, health promotion, disease prevention and managing common acute and chronic illnesses.

The acute care track prepares you to work in high-intensity care settings, such as pediatric intensive care units (ICU) and emergency rooms. This track focuses on delivering care to acutely ill children, emphasizing quick assessments and interventions in rapidly changing clinical situations.

Where can I work as a pediatric nurse practitioner with dual training in primary and acute care?

With dual training in primary and acute care, you can work in a wide range of settings. You can provide routine care in a pediatric clinic or care for critically ill children in a pediatric ICU or emergency room. This flexibility allows you to care for children across different health care environments.

Do I need to choose between the primary care and acute care tracks?

No, you will pursue both tracks at the same time, gaining expertise in both primary and acute care for pediatric patients.

How long does it take to become a pediatric nurse practitioner?

You can complete the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner D.N.P. program in three years.

Are out-of-state clinical options available?

We offer clinical opportunities in Idaho, Montana, Washington, Wyoming and Utah. If you live in these areas, you may be eligible for a hybrid option that combines mostly online coursework with in-person clinical experiences and minimal visits to Portland.

Are scholarships available to become a pediatric nurse practitioner?

OHSU offers a variety of scholarships to help fund your degree. Additionally, loan repayment options are available for D.N.P. students. 

Explore scholarships

View loan repayment options

Still have questions? Contact an admissions counselor