The ACPNP program trains nurses to manage complex pediatric conditions and reduce health risks.

Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program Description

The pediatric acute nurse practitioner (ACPNP) program is designed for advanced practice nurses dedicated to addressing the intricate physiological and psychological needs of children with complex acute and chronic health conditions. 

In accordance with this practice focus, ACPNP role activities encompass a wide range of NP practice strategies including contributions to the management of children’s illness/health states, the client-nurses relationship, the teaching-coaching function, the professional role, managing and negotiating healthcare delivery systems, monitoring and ensuring the quality of health care practice, providing family centered care, and demonstrating cultural competency. 

The short-term goal of care is stabilization of the child, minimizing complications, and providing physical and psychological care measures. The long-term goal of care is to restore maximal health potential through implementation of NP strategies to reduce health risks. The continuum of care spans the geographic settings of the home, emergency departments, hospitals, sub-specialty clinics, and intensive care units.

 

The program is divided into 4 parts:

  1. Prerequisite Courses: Pharmacology I & II, Physical Assessment, and Advanced Pathophysiology meet up in person  up to several times a quarter when they are scheduled.
  2. Clinical Experience: The clinical experience is a combination of clinician hours and DNP Project hours to total at least 1,400 hours. All clinical site placements provided.
  3. DNP Project: The DNP Project can be done in the workplace allowing students to collect evidence-based practice data.

Program Length

The Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner BS to DNP program is 3 years and 9 months full-time. The program can be taken part-time or full-time and must be completed within 7 years.

Admissions Deadlines

The School of Nursing accepts Acute Care Peds students in the Fall and Winter Quarters. All admission requirements must be completed by the deadline.  Deadlines are as follows:

  • Fall – April 15 (quarter begins in September)
  • Winter – October 1 (quarter begins in January)

Admissions Requirements

Education

  • Baccalaureate degree or equivalent in nursing from an accredited institution.

Academic Performance 

  • Minimum GPA of 3.0, both cumulative and in nursing coursework.

Licensure

  • Current unencumbered United States RN license at the time of application.
  • California RN license must be obtained before the start of classes and maintained throughout the program.

Experience

  • Minimum of one year of full-time RN experience is required before matriculating into clinical courses (applies to most programs).

Certification

  • Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR) certification.
  • Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification required before matriculation and must be maintained until program completion.

Recommendations

Two electronic recommendations following:

  • Required: Recent nurse manager or director
  • Additional may be either of the following:
    • Nursing peer
    • Spiritual advisor

Interview Process (if granted by the Admissions Committee) 

  • Completion of the Emotional Intelligence Interview Process, which includes a meeting (in person or via Zoom) with the program coordinator and another Graduate Nursing Program faculty member.

Application Fee (NursingCAS and Secondary Application)

There are two fees associated with the application:

  • $70 for the initial NursingCAS application and a $50 secondary application fee.

Transcript Information

NursingCAS Applicants - Transcripts must be sent by the issuing institution(s) directly to NursingCAS. You must submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions that you have attended. This includes all colleges, universities, military credit, and unaccredited schools. Transcripts provided in any other manner are considered unofficial and will not be accepted for admission.

Returning LLU Applicant - If transcripts were previously sent to Loma Linda University prior to your NursingCAS application, please contact [email protected] with your full name, application term, program name, and a brief message requesting assistance with the transcript process.

Possible Careers

ACPNPs are prepared for careers in a variety of settings, including:

  • Emergency departments: ACPNPs in the emergency department are on the front lines of acute pediatric care, rapidly assessing and managing critically ill or injured children. They provide immediate stabilization, perform diagnostic evaluations, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure children receive timely, life-saving interventions.
     
  • Hospitals: In a hospital setting, ACPNPs oversee the care of pediatric patients with acute illnesses or those recovering from surgery. They coordinate treatment plans, monitor progress, and provide education to families, ensuring a seamless transition from acute care to recovery. Their expertise bridges the gap between specialized treatment and comprehensive patient management.
     
  • Sub-specialty clinics: Pediatric Nurse Practitioners in sub-specialty clinics focus on managing chronic and acute conditions specific to their area of expertise, such as cardiology, pulmonology, or oncology. They work closely with specialists to develop individualized care plans, provide ongoing management, and educate families on how to navigate complex health conditions.
     
  • Intensive care units: In the ICU, Acute Care PNPs are integral to the care of critically ill pediatric patients. They perform advanced procedures, monitor complex cases, and lead efforts to stabilize life-threatening conditions. Their ability to provide family-centered care ensures that parents and caregivers feel supported during highly stressful situations.

Course Structure/Format

Take charge of your learning with Loma Linda’s Hyperflex model. Enjoy the freedom of online learning—without sacrificing the in-person experiences that make you a confident, practice-ready nurse practitioner. Study remotely when life demands it, then join us on campus to refine the hands-on clinical skills that set Loma Linda graduates apart.

All DNP programs are offered in our Hyperflex format, blending online instruction with scheduled live sessions for real-time connection and collaboration. During each 11-week quarter, you can attend in person or online for select core courses—usually around mid-quarter (week 5).

View a sample schedule ›

Face-to-Face Course Structure

Our Hyperflex model combines the convenience of online learning with the irreplaceable value of face-to-face clinical mastery. Clinical/Lab/Simulation courses will be hybrid to allow students to have hands-on practice, preparing them for their clinical practice setting.  Schedules will be provided to students for required meetings during the quarter in advance.  This allows you to refine your practical expertise in person and graduate with exceptional skills that set you apart from other Advanced Practice Nurses.

NGRD  624  Advanced Health Assessment  4u
This course has mandatory synchronous lab meetings 4-6 meetings during the quarter. The schedule will be given in advance for planning.

All clinical and practicum courses

  1. Direct Clinical Hours: 630-750 hours, depending on the specialty. Students in the CNS and NP clinical courses will be assigned clinical rotations within Southern California (within a 90 mile radius of Loma Linda).

  2. DNP Project: The DNP Project can be done in the workplace, allowing students to collect evidence-based research data.

Sample Schedule

Full-time: 3 years, 9 months (15 academic quarters).
Part-time options are available.

Discipline Accrediting Agency

The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduates are prepared for certification by the State of California and the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (program approval pending).

Accreditations

Loma Linda University is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The BS, MS, and DNP Programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The Nurse Anesthesia Concentration is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.

Advanced practice nurse graduates, Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), are certified by the State of California Board of Registered Nursing and eligible to apply for certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Corporation, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, as appropriate for the area of professional practice. The California State Board has approved all programs offered at the Loma Linda University School of Nursing. Many states may offer a compact license to individuals already licensed in California. If this opportunity is of interest to you, please contact your program director. Students who decide to pursue a license in another state should check with the applicable licensing authority in that state.

Our programs address and meet outcome expectations as articulated by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Master’s (AACN), and DNP Essentials.

Cost of Attendance

View Expected Cost of Attendance Here

Sample Schedule

AC Peds NP Sample Schedule - Full-time

AC Peds NP Curriculum Plan

 

Acute Care Pediatric NP Sample Course Schedule (BS to DNP)

Hyperflex Model: Most courses are remote. Blue-highlighted courses require on-campus sessions.
 

Reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions. We are here ready to help you.
This sample matrix is for illustration only. For the official course list and schedule, please refer to the Loma Linda University Catalog.

Opens in new window for printing

Request Contact
Reach out if you have questions
Open Fact Sheet
Print a PDF with information regarding pre-requisites, admission requirements, and deadlines
Distance Education
States authorizing Loma Linda University online students