6 Leading California Pediatric NP Programs
California’s pediatric nurse practitioner programs offer a rewarding career path. Nurse practitioners in the state earn an impressive average salary of $158,130 per year. BSN holders can complete their DNP in just over three years, while MSN graduates need only 18-24 months. This advanced education will give you the most important career opportunities.
DNP graduates command higher salaries than those with MSN degrees. The future looks bright for pediatric nurse practitioners in California. The job market for nurse anesthetists, midwives, and practitioners should grow by 40% between 2021-2031. On top of that, these programs will teach you to provide specialized care to children, adolescents, and infants. You’ll learn everything in diagnosing and treating pediatric health conditions.
Want to become a pediatric nurse practitioner? Six leading California programs offer different pathways to success. You can choose acute care specialties to handle complex illnesses or primary care tracks to serve as a frontline provider for patients under 18. Graduates from these top-rated programs become healthcare leaders throughout California and beyond.
1. Azusa Pacific University – PNP Primary Care Certificate
Azusa Pacific University excels among California’s top pediatric nurse practitioner programs. The university’s Post-Master’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner–Primary Care (PNP-PC) Certificate targets nurses who have already earned their master’s degree in nursing.
Program Overview
The PNP-PC Certificate at Azusa Pacific University is a non-degree course credit option. It gives registered nurses primary healthcare skills through classroom education and supervised clinical practice. The program will give you the complete assessment and management abilities to handle common pediatric health issues. Once you finish, you’ll be ready to provide specialized care in healthcare settings of all types, promote children’s health, and work with families and interdisciplinary teams to boost patient outcomes. Working professionals can take advantage of evening lectures, customizable clinicals, and part-time options.
Curriculum Highlights
The program needs 33-37 units split into two main parts:
- Advanced Practice Core Courses (12 units) including:
- Advanced Pediatric Health Assessment and Health Promotion
- Advanced Nursing Practice Role
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Advanced Practice Specialty Courses (21 units) covering:
- Family Theory in Health Care
- Advanced Nursing Practice in Pediatrics
- Advanced Concepts and Competencies in Pediatric Primary Health Care
- Primary Health Care of the Young Family
- Clinical Practicum in Pediatrics
Students seeking extra expertise can take an optional course called “Transitions Across the Care Continuum”.
Admission Requirements
The program’s admission criteria includes:
- A master’s degree in nursing from an NLN or CCNE-accredited program
- A minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (lower GPA might qualify for provisional admission if you show competency)
- Completion of prerequisite courses in health assessment, pathophysiology, nursing research, statistics, nursing leadership, and community health nursing
- A graduate application with a $45 non-refundable fee
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- A one to two-page written statement about professional nursing goals
- Current RN license
- Current résumé and two professional recommendations
International students must also prove English proficiency and provide financial documentation.
Clinical Experience
Clinical experience is vital to becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner in this program. Students take multiple practicum courses with specific classroom/clinical unit combinations. These include Advanced Nursing Practice in Pediatrics (3/3), Advanced Concepts in Pediatric Primary Health Care (1/2), and Primary Health Care of the Young Family (3/3). You’ll learn to establish, maintain, and coordinate complete health programs while getting hands-on experience in client assessment, diagnosis, management, treatment, advocacy, and family education.
Certification Pathways
Program graduates can apply to the California Board of Registered Nursing for nurse practitioner certification. They can also pursue national PNP-PC certification through examination. This dual certification opens up practice opportunities throughout California and nationwide. The curriculum matches certification requirements perfectly to prepare you for these professional credentials.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The PNP-PC Certificate program costs $895 per unit, with a total cost between $29,535-$33,115 based on completed units. Several financial aid options can help with these costs:
- Federal loans and state grants
- Military assistance for service members, spouses, and dependents (Azusa Pacific is a Yellow Ribbon University)
- The Nurse Faculty Loan Program offers up to 85% loan forgiveness for graduates who become full-time nursing faculty
Career Outcomes
California’s pediatric nurse practitioners earn an average annual salary of $158,130. The certificate program readies you for roles in hospitals, private practices, community health centers, and other healthcare settings. PNPs serve as primary healthcare providers for children and use their specialized knowledge to assess, diagnose, and treat pediatric patients. You’ll learn both theory and practical skills to become skilled at promoting children’s health while working with families and healthcare teams to improve patient outcomes.
2. Loma Linda University – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Concentration
Loma Linda University runs a hybrid Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program. The program mixes online learning with planned on-campus meetings to give working nurses flexibility while they pursue advanced pediatric training in California.
Program Overview
Loma Linda University’s PNP program prepares advanced practice nurses to deliver complete care to children from infancy through adolescence. Students learn both preventative care and how to manage acute and chronic pediatric conditions. The program started as a primary care track and trains nurses to work independently while collaborating with physicians and allied health professionals. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. Full-time students usually finish the program in 3 years and 9 months. The program uses a hybrid format. Most classes happen online asynchronously with scheduled quarterly in-person sessions.
Curriculum Highlights
The curriculum has four main parts:
- Core Courses – These cover advanced statistics, health assessment, and other foundational subjects that need on-campus attendance during seminar weeks each quarter
- Concentration Courses – Specialized pediatric content including pharmacology, pathophysiology, and advanced assessment
- Clinical Experience – A mix of clinical practice and DNP project hours
- DNP Project – Students can complete this at their current workplace
Students need to finish at least 1000 clinical hours. This includes 570 hours of clinical practice in the advanced role and 510 practicum hours for the DNP role. The program gives graduates both theoretical knowledge and practical skills they need for pediatric primary care.
Loma Linda PNP Admission Requirements
Students must meet these criteria to qualify:
- A baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited institution
- A minimum 3.0 GPA in both cumulative and nursing coursework
- A current unencumbered US RN license (California license needed before classes start)
- At least one year of full-time RN experience before clinical courses
- Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification and Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification
The Admissions Committee requires two electronic recommendations. Some candidates will need to complete an Emotional Intelligence Interview Process. Students can apply by April 15 for fall quarter (September start) or October 1 for winter quarter (January start). The application fee is $70.
Clinical Experience
Clinical experiences are the foundation of the program. The university provides all clinical site placements. Students do their clinical rotations mainly in Southern California’s Inland Empire region (Riverside and San Bernardino counties). The CNS and NP Program faculty set up these rotations as required by California Board of Registered Nursing Regulations. Students must come to campus at least four times each quarter for clinical courses and attend all assigned labs for skills courses.
Certification Pathways
The program prepares students for certification by the State of California and the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) has fully accredited the program. This preparation will give graduates the credentials they need to work as pediatric nurse practitioners throughout California.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The DNP program costs $947 per credit hour. Qualified students can access various financial aid options. Loma Linda University Health’s full-time employees get great benefits. These include $8,000 yearly toward graduate programs and two free units per year from the School of Nursing. LLUSN alumni get a 10% tuition discount. Members of certain professional organizations might qualify for extra discounts.
Career Outcomes
The program’s graduates can work in many healthcare settings. Primary Care PNPs often choose community and ambulatory settings. They serve as primary healthcare providers for children from birth through adolescence. Career options include jobs in emergency departments, hospitals, sub-specialty clinics, and intensive care units. The program focuses on preventative care and managing acute and chronic pediatric conditions. This helps graduates become leaders in California’s pediatric healthcare field.
3. University of San Diego – Dual Pediatric/Family NP Program
The University of San Diego shines in the world of pediatric nurse practitioner programs California offers with its unique Dual Pediatric Nurse Practitioner/Family Nurse Practitioner (PNP/FNP) track. This popular program ranks in the top 10% of graduate nursing programs nationally according to US News and World Report.
Program Overview
The PNP/FNP track at USD equips nurses with advanced knowledge and skills to deliver primary pediatric care to infants, children, and adolescents. Students also learn to provide healthcare services to individuals and families throughout their lives. Students develop expertise in both pediatric and family practice as part of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. This makes them more valuable in today’s healthcare environment. The program uses a campus-based format that needs at least two days of in-person learning each week. Students can complete it in three to five years based on full-time or part-time enrollment.
Curriculum Highlights
The BSN to DNP dual-track program needs 82 credit hours. The curriculum prepares you for detailed clinical practice leadership at the doctoral level. The program helps you develop:
- Skills in advanced health assessment, clinical decision-making, and case management
- Expertise in managing common pediatric and adult health problems, both acute and chronic
- Leadership abilities for health supervision of children and families
- Competencies for providing quality health promotion, disease prevention, and rehabilitation services
On top of that, it focuses on evidence-based practice, healthcare quality improvement, and person-centered care approaches.
Admission Requirements
The program needs you to meet several criteria:
- Hold a BSN from a regionally accredited nursing school
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Possess an active, unencumbered California RN license
- Complete at least one year of acute-care RN work experience
Applications for the BSN to DNP program close on March 1. The school screens applications once yearly for fall admission. International applicants must have an unencumbered, active California RN license when applying.
Clinical Experience
Clinical experience is essential to the program, though specific clinical hour requirements aren’t clearly stated in the documentation. Students practice in settings of all types including public and private clinics, community health centers, retail healthcare facilities, schools, and student health centers. The program requires a DNP scholarly practice with clinical hours in your specialty and completion of a DNP translational science project.
Certification Pathways
After graduation, you can get dual certification as a nurse practitioner in California and national certification through appropriate credentialing bodies. You can sit for:
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care (CPNP) certification through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)
- Family Nurse Practitioner certification either through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (FNP-BC) or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (FNP-C)
Tuition and Financial Aid
Each unit costs about $1,800, bringing the total program cost to around $147,600 for the 82-unit program. Students can access various financial aid options to manage these expenses, though the provided information doesn’t mention specific scholarships or grants.
Career Outcomes
USD’s dual PNP/FNP program graduates have excellent career prospects. The School of Nursing has over 2,400 alumni. USD alumni make up 43% of Southern California’s nursing faculty, with many serving as deans or directors of nursing schools. You’ll join a reliable professional network after graduation. Career options include hospitals, community health centers, private practice, and educational institutions. The program’s blend of research and practice prepares you to lead in both clinical and academic settings.
4. UCSF – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care (PNP-AC)
UCSF is California’s only public institution offering a specialized Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care (PNP-AC) program. This specialty trains advanced practice nurses to provide specialized care for pediatric patients with complex medical needs.
Program Overview
The PNP-AC specialty at UCSF prepares advanced practice registered nurses to deliver child-focused, family-centered care. They serve infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with complex acute, critical, and chronic illnesses. The program goes beyond primary care tracks at other institutions. Students learn to provide care in a variety of settings—hospitals, intensive care units, specialty clinics, emergency departments, and home health environments. Students develop competency-based learning and become accountable for independent and shared decision-making based on strong clinical judgment. The curriculum teaches students to work together within healthcare teams to stabilize patients, prevent complications, restore optimal health, and deliver detailed palliative care.
Curriculum Highlights
The well-laid-out curriculum follows a sample pathway that has:
Year 1:
- Foundation courses in interprofessional practice, pediatric physiologic development
- Advanced health assessment and physiology
- Health promotion for chronically-critically ill children
Year 2:
- Advanced acute care pediatric nursing and pharmacology across three quarters
- Clinical residency experiences totaling 600 hours
Each clinical residency course equals 30 hours of direct patient care. Students complete 20 units of clinical coursework throughout the program. The curriculum meets California Board of Registered Nursing requirements and matches Pediatric Nursing Certification Board standards.
Admission Requirements
Qualified applicants need:
- Two years minimum clinical practice in an acute pediatric setting or equivalent
- Post-master’s applicants: A Master’s in Nursing (MS, MSN, or MN)
- California Board of Registered Nursing licensure
- Completed background check and required immunizations
The deadline for fall 2026 applications is February 15, 2026.
Clinical Experience
Clinical experience is the basis of UCSF’s PNP-AC program. Students must complete 600 clinical hours during their specialty training. These experiences help students function independently yet collaboratively. They become experts in managing complex acute, critical, and chronic pediatric conditions. The program focuses on hands-on learning in healthcare settings where pediatric patients need specialized care.
Certification Pathways
Graduates can take the Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care (CPNP-AC) national certification examination from the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB). This certification verifies entry-level knowledge and qualifies graduates to practice as acute care PNPs. The CPNP-AC exam is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and meets the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s criteria for APRN certification programs.
Tuition and Financial Aid
California residents pay approximately $94,339 for the program, while non-residents pay around $106,584. Regular status UC employees might qualify for a two-thirds reduction in student services fees and tuition. This applies when enrolled in up to 12 units or four courses per quarter. The benefit runs through spring 2031. Students in self-supporting programs cannot use this reduced fee option.
Career Outcomes
UCSF’s PNP-AC program graduates lead pediatric healthcare in California and beyond. Acute care PNPs provide specialized care for pediatric patients with physiological instability, medical fragility, or life-threatening conditions. They work in hospitals, intensive care units, subspecialty clinics, emergency departments, and home health settings. The program creates advanced practice nurses who deliver diverse, inclusive, and equitable care. These professionals help reduce health disparities and improve healthcare access during pediatric illness.
5. California State University – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Track
California State University, Long Beach has a strong BSN to DNP Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care track. This program helps nurses who want to advance their careers in specialized pediatric care.
Program Overview
The CSU Long Beach program well-known among pediatric nurse practitioner programs in California. It offers a flexible hybrid format that combines synchronous and asynchronous learning with in-person clinical experiences. Students can complete this full-time program in three years and learn to provide complete primary care to children and adolescents. The program blends online theoretical instruction with hands-on clinical practice.
Curriculum Highlights
The curriculum has three main components: 15 core courses, five clinical specialty courses, and four doctoral project classes. Core coursework covers advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, healthcare economics, human diversity, professional roles, and research methodologies. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed in pediatric practice.
Admission Requirements
You need a bachelor’s degree in nursing (preferred), current unrestricted California RN license, and completed college-level courses in statistics, physical assessment, and pathophysiology. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required. You must also complete background checks, drug screening and have health insurance, immunizations, and malpractice insurance.
Clinical Experience
Students must complete 1,000 clinical hours. This gives them a chance to use their theoretical knowledge in real-life settings under expert supervision.
Certification Pathways
The program prepares you for certification. The California Board of Registered Nursing has approved it fully, and it’s accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Tuition and Financial Aid
California residents pay approximately $3,804 full-time plus fees. Non-residents pay around $3,084 full-time plus $420 per unit and additional fees.
Career Outcomes
The job market looks excellent for graduates. California nurse practitioners earn an average annual salary of $158,130. The program’s complete preparation leads to high certification pass rates and strong job prospects.
6. Baylor University – Online DNP Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON) has a top-tier online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program. U.S. News & World Report ranks it among the top 10% of DNP programs nationwide [link_1]. The program is distinguishable from other pediatric nurse practitioner programs in California. Students enjoy flexible online learning combined with valuable on-campus immersion experiences.
Program Overview
The DNP Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program helps registered nurses deliver specialized care to pediatric patients in healthcare settings of all types. The program’s unique dual track option lets students choose between Primary Care track or combine it with Acute Care track. This flexibility creates broader career paths. Students learn to provide patient-and-family centered care that considers the family’s role. The program covers both basic and complex healthcare needs of children from birth through adolescence. The curriculum meets all standards set by the Texas Board of Nursing, AACN Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice, and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties.
Curriculum Highlights
The Primary Care track needs 75 credit hours. Each course runs for 15 weeks, with three terms every year. Students interested in acute care must complete 14 extra credit hours of specialized coursework. The program has these main components:
- Core DNP advanced practice nursing courses (47 credits)
- PNP-specific courses about pediatric healthcare management
- Specialized content on genomics in pediatric settings
- Courses covering chronic and acute pediatric health needs
- Clinical practicum experiences and residency requirements
Working professionals can advance their pediatric nursing careers through mostly online courses. The program requires some on-campus immersions.
Admission Requirements
Baylor’s PNP program has specific entry requirements:
- A BSN from a regionally accredited nursing school
- A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- One year of full-time nursing experience with pediatric patients before classes start
- A current unencumbered RN license
- Three recommendation letters (from an immediate supervisor, peer nurse, and MSN/DNP/PhD-prepared nurse)
- A personal statement
The program doesn’t require GRE or MAT scores. This makes it easier for nurses to become pediatric nurse practitioners without test-related barriers.
Clinical Experience
Clinical experience forms the substance of Baylor’s PNP program. Primary Care track students complete 1,125 clinical hours. Those pursuing Acute Care need an extra 600 hours. The program provides dedicated placement support. A Clinical Placement Coordinator helps students:
- Set professional goals and find suitable preceptors
- Get clinical opportunities matching their interests
- Get ready for practicum experiences
- Handle paperwork and compliance needs
This support system creates meaningful clinical experiences and reduces the stress of finding placements alone.
Certification Pathways
Program graduates can take certification exams offered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB). The curriculum prepares students for these professional credentials. Your chosen track determines eligibility for primary care certification, acute care certification, or both—giving you more practice options.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Online DNP programs at Baylor cost $1,250 per credit hour. Primary Care track’s 75 credits total about $93,750. Adding Acute Care track costs another $17,500 for 14 credits. Students can access various financial aid options:
- Federal student loans (FAFSA required)
- School-based financial help
- Payment plans through the Cashier’s Office
The nursing school’s financial aid coordinator or Baylor University’s Student Financial Aid office can answer specific questions.
Career Outcomes
California offers strong career prospects for Baylor PNP graduates. Pediatric nurse practitioners earn a median annual salary of $104,066. Experience and specialization can lead to higher earnings. The DNP-PNP qualification opens doors to leadership roles in pediatric healthcare settings. Healthcare institutions value doctorally-prepared nurse practitioners more than ever. This creates expanding career opportunities for PNP graduates with acute and primary care expertise.
Get Started
These five leading California programs give you great opportunities to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. Nurse practitioners in California earn around $158,130 per year, which makes this career path financially rewarding. On top of that, the job market looks promising with a 40% growth rate expected from 2021-2031. This means you’ll have plenty of chances to advance your career.
You can pick a program that fits your timeline and career goals. BSN holders typically complete their DNP in about three years. MSN graduates can finish even faster – usually in 18-24 months.
The programs let you customize your education based on what interests you most. Primary care tracks teach you everyday pediatric healthcare, while acute care tracks prepare you to handle complex pediatric conditions. Some programs, like USD’s Pediatric/Family NP Program, offer dual tracks that expand your practice scope and make you more marketable.
Clinical experiences are the core of these programs. You’ll spend anywhere from 600 to 1,125 hours developing crucial skills under expert guidance and building professional networks. Many programs help you find clinical placements too, which takes away the stress of searching for sites on your own.
After you graduate, you can get certified through organizations like the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board to prove your expertise and qualify for advanced practice. These programs give you solid preparation, leading to high certification pass rates that boost your job prospects.
You might choose UCSF’s specialized acute care focus, or any other highlighted program. Your education will help you become a healthcare leader who provides specialized care to children in a variety of settings. Best of all, as a pediatric nurse practitioner in California, you’ll change young lives while enjoying a rewarding, respected, and well-paid career.