Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist

Provide advanced nursing practice care to children with complex health problems

The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) role. CNSs use theory and research to diagnose, treat, and manage patients and specialty populations from wellness to acute illness. The CNS improves outcomes by providing direct patient care, leading evidence-based practice, optimizing organizational systems, and advancing the practice of nursing.

Learn More About the CNS Role

Our pediatric focus-area courses enable you to tailor your studies to meet career goals or emerging employment opportunities in:

Hospitals and acute care
Rehabilitation care
Accountable care organizations
Community health agencies and clinics
Private practice settings

The Pediatric CNS track has suspended admissions as of May 1, 2025, due to upcoming curricular changes. Please check back for updates on future admission cycles.

Program Format

Courses are taught in online, distance-accessible formats. There are some required on-campus lab days, and all clinical hours must be completed within the state of Indiana due to supervision requirements.

The degree can be completed in a three-year, part-time plan of study, or—if space in the program allows—a two-year, full-time plan of study.

Certification

When you graduate, you will be eligible for national certification through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) as a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist. As an advanced practice nurse, you will also qualify to apply for prescriptive authority from the Indiana Licensing Board.

MSN Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Track - Part Time

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Track - Part Time - Fall
Fall
Description	Course	Credits
Nursing Research Methods I	NURS-R500	3
This course emphasizes using research findings as a basis for clinical and organization decision-making in the delivery of high quality evidence-based health care. Emphasis is placed on identifying clinical problems and searching, appraising, and synthesizing research evidence for application or, in the absence of evidence, generating new knowledge using research methods. Strategies for disseminating findings across inter-professional contexts and monitoring continuous quality improvement are examined.
Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan	NURS-Y515	3
This course examines advanced principles of human physiology and pathophysiology across the lifespan with an emphasis on cellular, genetic, and immunological foundations of disease. Students will analyze mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and progression of disease, linking pathophysiological changes to diagnostic and therapeutic decision making in preparation for evidence-based advanced nursing practice.
Total		6

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Track - Part Time - Spring
Spring
Description	Course	Credits
Nursing Theory I	NURS-N502	3
This course focuses on analyzing the relationships between theory and research for effective translation to practice. Emphasis is placed on selection and evaluation of theories, interprofessional perspectives, and using theory to guide practice and research.
Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan	NURS-Y612	3
This course prepares graduate students to understand the principles of advanced pharmacology across the lifespan as it relates to advanced nursing practice.
Total		6

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Track - Part Time - Summer I and II
Summer I and II
Description	Course	Credits
Advanced Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan	NURS-Y625	4
This course prepares graduate students to perform individualized health histories and physical examinations for clients across the lifespan.
Total		4

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Track - Part Time - Fall
Fall
Description	Course	Credits
Pediatric Primary Care for the APRN I	NURS-C640	3
This course develops pediatric clinical decision-making skills for advanced practice nurses managing primary health care needs of infants, children, and adolescents. Evidence-based pediatric wellness strategies and management of common health problems are emphasized using a developmental and psychosocial approach for child-centered care.
Leadership for Advanced Nursing Practice	NURS-N504	3
This course addresses organizational and leadership knowledge and skills required to advance health outcomes and influence policy. Key leadership issues and challenges affecting advanced practice nurses will be examined and effective leadership and advocacy skills will be applied.
Total		6

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Track - Part Time - Spring
Spring
Description	Course	Credits
Clinical Hours		150
Pediatric Primary Care for the APRN II	NURS-C650	3
This course expands pediatric clinical decision-making skills for advanced practice nurses managing primary health care needs of infants, children, and adolescents. Evidence-based practice strategies for the management of chronic and complex clinical problems are emphasized using a developmental and psychosocial approach for child-centered care.
Clinical Nurse Specialist I: Scientific Basis of Practice - Developing the Expert Nurse	NURS-M570	4
Understanding the clinical nurse specialist role as expert advanced practice nurse. Emphasis is on theory and science related to chronic illness prevention, risk reduction and management. Students diagnose problems amenable to nursing interventions. 150 clinical hours.
Total		7

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Track - Part Time - Summer I and II
Summer I and II
Description	Course	Credits
Measurement and Data Analysis	NURS-R505	3
Principles and applications of scientific measurement, data summarization, inferential statistics, and practical derivations of the general linear model. Considers the research purpose and the phenomenon under study as determinants of measurement techniques and data analysis.
Total		3

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Track - Part Time - Fall
Fall
Description	Course	Credits
Clinical Hours		150
Clinical Nurse Specialist II: Symptom and Functional Enhancement - Developing Problem Solver	NURS-M580	5
Application of theory and science to address clinical problems and improve patient outcomes related to symptoms and functional status in the context of wellness in chronic illness. 150 clinical hours.
Total		5

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Track - Part Time - Spring
Spring
Description	Course	Credits
Clinical Hours		225
Clinical Nurse Specialist III: System Leadership for Innovation in Nursing Practice	NURS-M590	5
Prepares clinical nurse specialists to function as innovation leaders within complex health systems. Emphasis is on leading nurses and multidisciplinary teams in achieving safety, quality and cost-effective outcomes. 225 clinical hours.
Total		5

MSN Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Track - Full Time

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Track - Full Time - Fall
Fall
Description	Course	Credits
Nursing Theory I	NURS-N502	3
This course focuses on analyzing the relationships between theory and research for effective translation to practice. Emphasis is placed on selection and evaluation of theories, interprofessional perspectives, and using theory to guide practice and research.
Nursing Research Methods I	NURS-R500	3
This course emphasizes using research findings as a basis for clinical and organization decision-making in the delivery of high quality evidence-based health care. Emphasis is placed on identifying clinical problems and searching, appraising, and synthesizing research evidence for application or, in the absence of evidence, generating new knowledge using research methods. Strategies for disseminating findings across inter-professional contexts and monitoring continuous quality improvement are examined.
Advanced Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan	NURS-Y625	4
This course prepares graduate students to perform individualized health histories and physical examinations for clients across the lifespan.
Total		10

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Track - Full Time - Spring
Spring
Description	Course	Credits
Clinical Hours		150
Clinical Nurse Specialist I: Scientific Basis of Practice - Developing the Expert Nurse	NURS-M570	4
Understanding the clinical nurse specialist role as expert advanced practice nurse. Emphasis is on theory and science related to chronic illness prevention, risk reduction and management. Students diagnose problems amenable to nursing interventions. 150 clinical hours.
Leadership for Advanced Nursing Practice	NURS-N504	3
This course addresses organizational and leadership knowledge and skills required to advance health outcomes and influence policy. Key leadership issues and challenges affecting advanced practice nurses will be examined and effective leadership and advocacy skills will be applied.
Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan	NURS-Y612	3
This course prepares graduate students to understand the principles of advanced pharmacology across the lifespan as it relates to advanced nursing practice.
Total		10

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Track - Full Time - Summer I and II
Summer I and II
Description	Course	Credits
Measurement and Data Analysis	NURS-R505	3
Principles and applications of scientific measurement, data summarization, inferential statistics, and practical derivations of the general linear model. Considers the research purpose and the phenomenon under study as determinants of measurement techniques and data analysis.
Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan	NURS-Y515	3
This course examines advanced principles of human physiology and pathophysiology across the lifespan with an emphasis on cellular, genetic, and immunological foundations of disease. Students will analyze mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and progression of disease, linking pathophysiological changes to diagnostic and therapeutic decision making in preparation for evidence-based advanced nursing practice.
Total		6

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Track - Full Time - Fall
Fall
Description	Course	Credits
Clinical Hours		150
Pediatric Primary Care for the APRN I	NURS-C640	3
This course develops pediatric clinical decision-making skills for advanced practice nurses managing primary health care needs of infants, children, and adolescents. Evidence-based pediatric wellness strategies and management of common health problems are emphasized using a developmental and psychosocial approach for child-centered care.
Clinical Nurse Specialist II: Symptom and Functional Enhancement - Developing Problem Solver	NURS-M580	5
Application of theory and science to address clinical problems and improve patient outcomes related to symptoms and functional status in the context of wellness in chronic illness. 150 clinical hours.
Total		8

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the MSN Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Track - Full Time - Spring
Spring
Description	Course	Credits
Clinical Hours		225
Pediatric Primary Care for the APRN II	NURS-C650	3
This course expands pediatric clinical decision-making skills for advanced practice nurses managing primary health care needs of infants, children, and adolescents. Evidence-based practice strategies for the management of chronic and complex clinical problems are emphasized using a developmental and psychosocial approach for child-centered care.
Clinical Nurse Specialist III: System Leadership for Innovation in Nursing Practice	NURS-M590	5
Prepares clinical nurse specialists to function as innovation leaders within complex health systems. Emphasis is on leading nurses and multidisciplinary teams in achieving safety, quality and cost-effective outcomes. 225 clinical hours.
Total		8

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Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist

Provide advanced nursing practice care to children with complex health problems

Program Format

Certification

MSN Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Track - Part Time

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

MSN Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Track - Full Time

Year 1

Year 2

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