Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Apply advanced-level care for children in complex health situations

Prepares the graduate for independent management of children and families seeking health care for complex acute and chronic pediatric health problems.

DNPs will also have competence in leadership, evidence-based care and translational research methods for quality improvement as well as preparation at the very highest level to apply advanced clinical assessment and management skills to complex health problems.

Program Highlights

  • Graduates will be academically eligible for certification as a Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
  • Work closely with advisor throughout nursing graduate program.
  • Learn from faculty who are jointly appointed between ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ and the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and are in clinical practice at Children’s Hospital in Wisconsin.*
  • Spend an entire semester training with the more than 200 advanced practice nurses in 33 specialties at Children’s Hospital in Wisconsin.*
  • Gain access to two high-fidelity simulation labs (Marquette and Children’s) in a curriculum that weaves leveled simulation experiences throughout the clinical experiences.*
  • Faculty work with students to tailor final clinical hours to meet specific learning objectives.** 

*applies to MSN and DNP programs

**applies to DNP program

 

What degree is right for me?

Post-Master's Certificate

MSN

Post-BSN DNP*

Credits: 12-30


MSN required


 

Credits: 42


BSN required


 

Credits: 69


BSN required


Capstone required

*Post-MSN DNP tracks also offered.

Tuition Cost Per Credit: $1,360.00
Other costs exist, see here.


View the course work

These programs are generally completed on a part-time basis (3-6 credits per term) while students are working. Personalized plans of study are created collaboratively by each student and their adviser in order to create a manageable and flexible schedule. 

Post-Master's Certificate Courses – 12-30 Credits

Post-Master's certificates may require 12-30 credits, depending on academic background. 

Specialty Courses – 21 Credits

Health Promotion Across the Lifespan

Complex/Chronic Pediatric Health Conditions

Seminar in Child and Family Health

Nursing Therapeutics for Acute/Critical Illnesses in Children

Acutely Ill Children Practicum

Acutely/Chronically Ill Children Practicum

Critically Ill Children Practicum

 

Foundation Courses – 9 Credits

Pathophysiological Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice

Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice

Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan

MSN Courses – 42 Credits

Specialty Courses – 21 Credits

Health Promotion Across the Lifespan.

Complex/Chronic Pediatric Health Conditions

Seminar in Child and Family Health

Nursing Therapeutics for Acute/Critical Illnesses in Children

Acutely Ill Children Practicum

Acutely/Chronically Ill Children Practicum

Critically Ill Children Practicum 

 

Core Courses – 12 Credits

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing

Ethics, Policy, and Health Care Advocacy

Organizational and Systems Leadership

Research & Evidence as a Foundation for Nursing

 

Foundation Courses – 9 Credits

Pathophysiological Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice

Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice

Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan

DNP Courses – 69 Credits

DNP Core Courses - 27 Credits 

Quality & Patient Safety in Health Care 

Health Care Informatics, Technology and Professional Issues 

Translational Research 

Epidemiology 

Applied Statistics for Health Sciences 

Professional Issues in APN/DNP Practice 

DNP Project 1 - Proposal & Residency 

DNP Project 2 - Implementation & Residency 

DNP Project 3 - Evaluation, Dissemination & Residency 

 

Specialty Courses – 21 Credits 

Health Promotion Across the Lifespan 

Complex/Chronic Pediatric Health Conditions 

Seminar in Child and Family Health 

Nursing Therapeutics for Acute/Critical Illnesses in Children 

Acutely Ill Children Practicum 

Acutely/Chronically Ill Children Practicum 

Critically Ill Children Practicum 

  

Core Courses – 12 Credits 

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing 

Ethics, Policy, and Health Care Advocacy 

Organizational and Systems Leadership 

Research & Evidence as a Foundation for Nursing 

  

Foundation Courses – 9 Credits 

Pathophysiological Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice 

Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice 

Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan 

Take the next step towards your future

  • Contact Us
  • Application Requirements
  • Qualifications
  • Faculty
  • Financial Aid

*required field

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Apply and submit all application requirements  

Application Deadlines: 

  • Fall Semester Start: Application deadline of December 1 
  • Spring Semester Start: Application deadline of June 1 

  • Transcripts:
  • Three completed recommendation letters prepared by previous or present employers and teachers familiar with graduate education in nursing.
  • A resume and written statement of professional goals, including reasons for pursuing graduate study.
  • An interview may be required.
  • International applicants only: TOEFL score or other acceptable proof of English proficiency.

  • All applicants must be registered in the United States as a professional nurse. Graduates of nursing schools in foreign countries must successfully complete the certification program administered by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools and must be licensed in Wisconsin.
  • Two years of practice in an acute care setting is required for acute care students prior to applying for admission.
  • GRE not required.

1Upon admission, final official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities, with certified English translations if original language is not English, must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record.

2Upon admission, an official course-by-course transcript/academic record evaluation must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record. 

  • Two years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) of pediatric acute care RN experience is required prior to admission to the program.
  • Applicants to the BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) program should have graduated with, or be about to graduate with, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program with an upper division major in nursing.
  • The required minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.000 on a 4.000 scale is required for the BSN to DNP. For ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ of foreign nursing schools, a formal evaluation of their nursing program of study documenting equivalency to a U.S. Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree must be submitted.
  • Prior to or during the first term of study, all BSN to DNP nursing applicants must have taken undergraduate nursing research and a statistics course which included inferential analysis (must be completed within 5 years of program start date). Applicants who select an advanced practice nursing specialization must have taken an undergraduate course in health assessment.
  • Unencumbered Registered Nurse license to practice in the United States. A Wisconsin or eNLC license is required at the time of admission.
  • BCLS from the American Heart Association, which must be maintained during all programs.

Christine Schindler

Christine Schindler, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC, AC (Program Director)

Norah Johnson

Norah Johnson, PhD, RN, CPNP

Jill Kuester

Jill Kuester, MSN, RN, CPNP-AC

Amanda Kotowksi

Amanda Kotowski, DNP, RN, CPNP-PC/AC, AGNP-BC

Katie McDermott

Katie McDermott, MSN, RN, CPNP-AC

Jennifer Pfister

Jennifer Pfister, DNP, RN, CPNP-AC

Jennifer Pfister

Leslie Talbert DNP, RN, CPNP-AC/PC, PMHNP-BE

 

 

For a comprehensive listing of merit-based aid (graduate assistantships/fellowships), visit the departmental financial aid webpage. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to apply for need-based federal aid (loans) to help fund their educational expenses as well.Tuition information for the Master of Science in Nursing — Second Degree Direct Entry for Non-Nurses program can be found in the , as it differs from other graduate programs.

 

Program Contact

Taylor Rose Pamperin, M.Ed.

Graduate Student Success Advisor

Email Taylor