The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) concentration is designed to provide advanced training in delivering high-quality nursing care to children, adolescents, and infants. This program prepares graduates to serve as primary care providers for patients under 18, equipping them with essential skills for diagnosing, treating, and managing pediatric health conditions.

The School of Nursing’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program teaches students to provide the treatment procedures, therapies and medication necessary for the child, as well as ordering specific lab and diagnostic testing, such as x-rays, blood tests and laboratory tests when needed. (The Primary PNP program emphasizes preventative care for patients under 18 years of age.)

In accordance with this practice focus, PCPNP role activities encompass a wide range of NP practice strategies including contributions to the management of children’s development, mental health, 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.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners get great satisfaction knowing that they make a difference, by identifying and caring for their patient problems, giving them counseling and information to the family or patient. This helps the patient and family deal with often, very stressful and difficult situations. They use data received from diagnostic tests, clinical exams, verbal communication, medical records and other sources to make decisions that are evidence based and meet their patients care requirements. PCPNP’s provide education, support and health care counseling to the families of their patients and answer any questions or address any concerns the family has regarding the child.

The PNP concentration trains nurses to deliver high-quality care to children, adolescents, and infants.

Admission Deadlines

The School of Nursing accepts Nurse Practitioner 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)

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.

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.

Transcript Requirements

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

Private Pediatric Clinics: Many PNPs work in outpatient clinics, offering routine checkups, vaccinations, and managing common childhood illnesses.

Community Health Centers: These centers serve diverse populations and often rely on PNPs to provide accessible care to underserved communities.

School-Based Health Centers: PNPs may work directly in schools, addressing student health concerns, managing chronic conditions like asthma or ADHD, and promoting wellness.

Urgent Care Clinics: Some PNPs handle acute illnesses and minor injuries in walk-in settings.

Hospitals: While more common for acute care PNPs, some primary care PNPs may work in outpatient departments or specialty clinics within hospitals.

Telehealth Services: Increasingly, PNPs are providing virtual care, especially for follow-ups, chronic condition management, and health education.

Primary Pediatric Nurse Practitioners:

  • Conduct well-child visits and developmental screenings
  • Diagnose and treats common pediatric illnesses
  • Manage pediatric mental health conditions
  • Manage chronic conditions like diabetes, allergies, and behavioral disorders
  • Educate families on nutrition, safety, and preventive care
  • Collaborate with other healthcare providers to ensure holistic care

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.

Curriculum Plans & Sample Schedule

Curriculum Plan for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Concentration

Sample Schedule for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Concentration

 

Pediatric Primary Care NP Sample Course Schedule (BS to DNP) — (full-time)
Loma Linda University - School of Nursing

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.

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Cost of Attendance

View Expected Cost of Attendance Here

When considering Loma Linda University's Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program, it's important to factor in several costs beyond tuition. Expenses such as textbooks, clinical supplies, certification exams, and travel to clinical and/or pediatric sites may add up over time. Additionally, balancing work and study may impact your income. Beyond financial considerations, think about the time commitment and effort required to succeed in a rigorous program. The return on investment, however, includes not only possible career advancement but also the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in pediatric healthcare, improving the lives of children and their families.

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.

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