Degree Options
Master of Science in Nursing
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
The pediatric nurse practitioner major is a 42-credit-hour program that prepares students for the advanced practice of nursing in primary health care of children. The curriculum focuses on a comprehensive study of well, at risk, and chronically ill children who are cared for in ambulatory or extended care settings. Collaborative practice, health maintenance, critical thinking, clinical decision-making, and the research process are emphasized throughout the program. The program is designed for either part- or full-time study, and a post-master's option is available.
The clinical courses focus on disease prevention, health promotion, management of problems, and follow-up care for children and their families. Clinical experiences are taught in a variety of community-based settings.
What is a nurse practitioner (NP)?
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses who use theory, research, and clinical expertise to improve the health of people of all ages. As a health care provider, the nurse practitioner may:
- Assess patient health status
- Provide disease prevention and health promotion services
- Diagnose and treat common acute health problems
- Manage care for stable, but chronically ill, patients
- Manage prenatal care during pregnancy
- Participate in or manage clinical research projects
Potential employment opportunities for family nurse practitioner graduates:
- Collaborative clinical practice
- Nurse-managed clinics
- Rural health clinics
- School-based clinics
- Migrant clinics
- Specialty practice
- Clinical research
- Group clinical practice/HMOs
- Parish clinics
- Medically underserved areas
Curriculum
Review the list of School of Nursing course descriptions.
| Core courses (9 credits) | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| N502 | Nursing Theory I | 3 |
| N504 | Leadership for Advanced Practice Nursing | 3 |
| R500 | Nursing Research | 3 |
| Courses in the major (27 credits) | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Y515 | Pathophysiology | 4 |
| G513 | Physiology of Maternal-Child | 1 |
| C661 | Psychosocial Assessment Strategies in Pediatrics and Women's Health Nursing | 3 |
| C550 | Pediatric Health Assessment | 3 |
| C551 | Health Maintenance of the Pediatric Child | 6 |
| C556 | Advanced Nursing Management of the Pediatric Client | 2 |
| C666 | Collaborative Clinical Practice in Pediatric Primary Health Care | 5 |
| Y612 | Pharmacology for Nurse Practitioners | 3 |
| Directed study (3-6 credits) | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| R590 | Nursing Study | 3 |
| OR | ||
| R699 | Master's Thesis in Nursing | 3-6 |
Before applying to the PNP major, please e-mail Dr. Richardson for an interview appointment.
Dr. Beth Richardson
vrichar [at] iupui [dot] edu
(317) 274-8094
