A pediatric NP with a child

Pediatric - Primary Care NP specialty

Preparing students to be nurse practitioners and advanced practice nurses providing exceptional frontline care to children as clinicians, educators, and researchers.

  • In-person class about 1x/month with the balance of learning completed online
  • Full- and part-time programs available
  • Clinical experiences and academic affiliations at top-ranked UVA Health University Medical Center and its UVA Children's Hospital
  • 750 clinical practicum hours and guidance in finding clinical placements with qualified preceptors
  • Graduates eligible for the primary care PNP certification exam administered by ANCC or PNCB
  • Guaranteed admission for UVA School of Nursing alumni
  • Application deadline: January 5

Pediatric nurse practitioners working in primary care environments (PNP-PC) keep children emotionally and physically strong, conducting well-child visits, sick and episodic encounters, performing individual and family counseling, and teaching kids and their caregivers how to get and stay healthy. PNP-PCs also conduct home visits, perform research, provide education and leadership to impact public policy, and are prepared to practice autonomously, in collaboration with physicians or as members of interdisciplinary teams.

The pediatric nurse practitioner primary care (PNP-PC) specialty track is offered to nurses enrolled in the BSN to DNP pathway program or as a post-master's certificate. BSN to DNP students may choose pediatric-primary care nursing as their specialty focus and take PNP-PC specialty courses during the three-year, full-time program. 

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Students who attend UVA are mentored by faculty members who are experts in their field as educators, clinicians, researchers. Their experiences are additionally enriched by access to other disciplines across the University, including religion, ethics, contemplative sciences, mindfulness, and medicine. All graduate nursing students are required to have a laptop.

Though it depends on the degree with which students enter the program (whether it's a BSN or MSN), DNP students who choose the Pediatric - Primary Care (PNP-PC) specialty track typically complete core classes, specialty courses, electives, and 14 credits (750 hours) of direct care practicum:

Core Courses (29 credits)

  • GNUR 8180: Healthcare Data Analysis (3 credits)
  • GNUR 8620: Quality and Safety in Healthcare Systems (4 credits)
  • GNUR 8645: Ethics and Leadership in Interprofessional Practice (3 credits)
  • GNUR 8650: Information Systems and Patient Care Technology (3 credits)
  • GNUR 8660: Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
  • GNUR 8680: Culturally Sensitive Care/Population Health (3 credits)
  • GNUR 9026: Health Policy, Economics & Finance (3 credits)
  • GNUR 9027: Practice Change Management (2 credits)
  • GNUR 9710: Implementation of Practice Change (3 credits)
  • GNUR 9720: Dissemination of Practice Scholarship (2 credits)

PNP-PC Specialty Track Concentration and Elective Courses

  • GNUR 6651: PNP-PC Seminar I (3 credits)
  • GNUR 6652: PNP-PC Seminar II (3 credits)
  • GNUR 7110: Pediatric Health and Wellness (3 credits)
  • Electives (9 credits)

Practicum Courses

  • GNUR 6650: PNP-PC Practicum Essentials (4 credits)
  • GNUR 6653: PNP-PC Practicum I (5 credits)
  • GNUR 6654: PNP-PC Practicum II (5 credits)

All DNP students enroll in 14 credits (750 hours) in direct care practicum. Students select courses in consultation with their academic and faculty advisors based on the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to conduct their DNP projects. Additionally, students select master's and/or doctoral-level didactic coursework from across the University.

Clinical/practicum activities are generally conducted within Virginia, but may be conducted outside Virginia if the University is authorized to place students in that state and pending faculty approval.

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BSN to DNP pathway applicants must:

  • Submit a completed application and submit an $85 application fee
  • Have a baccalaureate or master's degree in nursing from a nationally accredited (CCNE or NLN ACEN) school
  • Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate and graduate study
  • Submit a resume or CV
  • All graduate nursing students, except those in the CNL master’s-entry program, and PhD students, are required to have an active unencumbered nursing license in the Commonwealth of Virginia or a compact license from the state in which they reside. We will not accept international nursing licenses
  • Send official transcripts for all post-secondary study
  • Be available for an interview, if requested

UVA School of Nursing alumni are guaranteed admission into the DNP program.

Applicants who earned a BSN GPA of 3.25 or higher, who have an active membership in a national nursing organization, preferably in the applicant's practice area, who exhibit leadership behaviors in their professional practices, have earned a clinical certification, or are on a path to obtaining one, and have excellent writing skills are most competitive.

Candidates with generalist MSN degrees (CNL, nursing education, informatics, etc.) should apply to the BSN-to-DNP pathway. Enrolling students may petition to transfer up to 12 credits from their prior MSN degree to the DNP.

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Post-BSN DNP [full-time, 12+ credits] 

2025-26 Virginia Resident Non-Virginia Resident
Tuition $21,942 $35,832
Regular Session Comprehensive Fee $3,722 $4,404
University Activity Fee $58 $58
Nursing Activity Fee $34 $34
Total $25,756 $40,328

Post-BSN DNP [part-time] 

2025-26 Virginia Resident Non-Virginia Resident
Tuition $914 per credit $1,493 per credit
Regular Session Comprehensive Fee $3,722 $4,404
University Activity Fee $58 $58
Nursing Activity Fee $34 $34
Total $3,814 + tuition $4,496 + tuition

Post-BSN DNP [full- and part-time] - January and summer terms 

2025-26 Virginia Resident Non-Virginia Resident
Tuition - January 2026 Session $551 per credit $1,117 per credit
January Session Comprehensive Fee $222 $252
January 2026 Session TOTAL $222 + tuition $252 + tuition
Tuition - Summer 2026 Session $567 per credit $1,151 per credit
Summer Session Comprehensive Fee $493 $553
Summer 2025 Session TOTAL $493 + tuition $553 + tuition

Post-MSN DNP [full-time, 12+ credits] - Fall and spring terms

2025-26 Virginia Resident Non-Virginia Resident
Tuition $21,942 $35,832
Special Session Comprehensive Fee $227 $337
University Activity Fee $58 $58
Nursing Activity Fee $34 $34
Total $22,261 $36,261

Post-MSN DNP [part-time] - Fall and spring terms

2025-26 Virginia Resident Non-Virginia Resident
Tuition $914 credit $1,493 credit
Special Session Comprehensive Fee $227 $337
University Activity Fee $58 $58
Nursing Activity Fee $34 $34
Total $319 + tuition $429 + tuition

Post-MSN DNP [full- and part-time] - January and Summer Terms

2025-26 Virginia Resident Non-Virginia Resident
Tuition - January 2026 Session $551 per credit $1,117 per credit
January Session Comprehensive Fee $222 $252
January 2026 Session TOTAL $222 + tuition $252 + tuition
Tuition - Summer 2026 Session $567 per credit $1,151 per credit
Summer Session Comprehensive Fee $493 $558
Summer 2025 Session TOTAL $493 + tuition $558 + tuition

 

Cost of estimated living expenses for graduate students (2024-2025)

Austin Stajduhar
Assistant Dean for Admissions
CMNEB 1025
(434) 924-0066
Amy Boitnott
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Pediatric Primary Care Specialty Lead
(434) 982-1094

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