Master of Science in Nursing – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PNP)

Bravely move forward in your nursing career today

• Access coursework 100% online with no campus visits required.
• Apply with no GMAT, GRE, or statistics needed.
• Choose from five concentrations.
• Complete clinicals locally in your preferred setting.
• Get started quickly with no waiting list once you’re accepted.
• Choose from part-time or full-time options, and earn your MSN-PNP degree in as few as 20 months.

If you’re ready to advance your nursing career and work with children and adolescents, start with Maryville’s online MSN with a Pediatric Primary Care NP (PNP) concentration.

This concentration focuses on building the critical skills needed to assess, educate, diagnose, and manage the care of pediatric patients from infancy through young adulthood in a primary care setting. This includes addressing acute and chronic conditions, promoting preventive care, and supporting overall growth and wellness.

Through Maryville’s core NP coursework, you’ll also have the chance to build a well-rounded graduate-level understanding of advanced nursing practice across various pediatric settings, equipping you to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young patients and their families.

Want to build the skills to provide advanced care to children and adolescents from birth to young adulthood? Maryville University proudly offers a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner MSN concentration to help you develop as a nursing leader and prepare to provide high-level care in this meaningful profession.

Study areas like condition management, preventive care, and evidence-based decision-making, and pursue your future as an NP — one of the fastest-growing and most rewarding careers in the U.S.

If you want to become an NP and pursue opportunities to become a mentor, educator, researcher, or administrator, start by earning your online MSN.

Our accredited online MSN-PNP gives you the flexibility to advance your nursing career on your schedule without disrupting your personal or professional obligations. Learn from experienced faculty and get the support you need to thrive.

An MSN from Maryville can give you the skills and knowledge to take your next step with confidence.

• Enjoy convenient, flexible 24/7 online learning.
• Complete your PNP in approximately two years.
• Gain practical knowledge and skills you can apply dynamically to your nursing practice.
• Get practical, hands-on experience from expert faculty members who know how to succeed in nursing.
• Receive dedicated, learner-focused support to help you get the most from your education.
• Study with a university that embraces the values of caring, collaboration, and excellence.

Pursue an MSN-PNP that matches your NP career goals

Pursuing your PNP master’s degree is the first step in defining the role you want to have as a nurse practitioner.

Our specialized program, accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), is designed to equip you with advanced nursing skills and clinical expertise to care for children, adolescents, and young adults in primary and acute care. Gain the tools to deliver better patient care or explore opportunities in leadership, advocacy, research, and innovation.

What can I expect from Maryville’s MSN-PNP?

Explore advanced pediatric care diagnosis and management concepts while building the skills to become an PNP in this 18-credit program.

• Study part time or full time — whatever fits your schedule more conveniently.
• Learn critical skills to treat, diagnose, and manage chronic and complex health conditions in children and young adults.
• Study with expert faculty who know what it takes to succeed in pediatric care.
• Get real-world education that prepares you for success in your NP practice.

Our Pediatric Nurse Practitioner MSN concentration is designed to equip future PNPs with advanced skills, techniques, and knowledge essential for excelling in pediatric care and thriving as nursing leaders.

Alongside core NP topics like evidence-based practice, healthcare policy, and health promotion, this concentration focuses on holistic nursing expertise to care for pediatric patients and support well-being in a variety of pediatric care settings.

What can you do with your online MSN degree?

This is your chance to invest in your future: Earning your MSN-PNP could be the key to achieving your goals and impacting lives in pediatric nursing.

There’s a shortage of NPs in pediatric care, with a recent survey by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board indicating that fewer than 1 in 4 pediatric nurses hold a master’s degree or better. With plenty of nursing opportunities available, maser’s-prepared PNPs can take advantage of high demand and advance their careers.

How much can you earn with your online MSN degree?

• RNs who earn their MSN and become NPs make about $35,000 more than RNs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
• The median salary for NPs was $129,210 in 2024, according to the BLS.
• The ongoing shortage of NPs and primary care physicians means newly educated nurse practitioners have more opportunities than ever to make a difference, especially in underserved areas.
• According to research compiled by Indeed, pediatric NP is among the highest-paying NP specialties.
• Pediatric NPs can pursue meaningful work across a variety of unique settings.

PNPs can pursue a variety of careers that give them the opportunity to treat children and young adults and assist in disease prevention, health promotion, and primary and acute care. Some of these include the following.

• Clinical nurse leader
• Clinical research specialist
• Eating disorder nurse
• Infection control nurse
• Nurse manager
• Nursing supervisor
• Pediatric nurse
• Primary care nurse practitioner
• School nurse
• Triage nurse

MSN Career Settings

Pediatric primary and acute care NPs can work in various settings, providing care to children from birth through young adulthood. Common workplaces include the following.

• Hospitals and clinics
• Colleges and universities
• In-home care
• K-12 schools
• Long-term care facilities
• Nursing research facilities
• Rehabilitation facilities

Learn more on our careers page.

Research compiled by career website Indeed indicates pediatric NP is among the highest-paid specializations in this field, with a national average salary of around $115,000 as of January 2025.

Career website PayScale shows slightly lower numbers, with a median reported salary for PNP-educated nurses of about $103,000 and the top 10% of pediatric NPs earning more than $131,000. Salaries may vary depending on factors like location, education, and years of experience.

Online MSN degrees job outlook

The healthcare industry is expanding quickly, creating numerous opportunities for skilled nurses. Pursuing your MSN-PNP can help you advance your nursing career and thrive in a growing job market.

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects jobs for nurse practitioners will increase by a tremendous 46% between 2023 and 2033.
• PNPs are in demand and career prospects are strong with a shortage of MSN-prepared nurses pursuing this specialization.

The changing workforce

As a seasoned RN, you’ve likely observed shifts in the healthcare workforce — and not just due to nursing and physician shortages. According to the Pew Research Center, millennials now comprise the largest workforce group, replacing retiring baby boomers.

These demographic shifts, combined with an influx of less-experienced workers, have created a rising need for skilled NPs who can work independently, especially in areas like pediatric care.

The rewards of the profession

As with any nursing profession, pediatric nurses face challenges like burnout and difficult workplace situations, but they also find the work to be rewarding and meaningful. PNPs report high job satisfaction and can take on a wide array of professionally fulfilling responsibilities and roles.

With a nursing shortage and changes throughout the workforce, many employers offer great benefits packages, supportive work environments, and good work-life balance to attract highly skilled primary care NPs.

The new model of healthcare

Nurse practitioners are essential in the evolving healthcare model, which prioritizes outpatient care over hospital stays to cut costs. They provide critical services and wellness education across primary care and community clinics.

Nurse practitioners are increasingly recognized as primary caregivers nationwide. Their holistic approach to care, focusing on both medical needs and healthy lifestyle choices, has proven highly effective. Patients who choose the thorough, patient-focused care of an NP often experience lower healthcare expenses, fewer ER visits, shorter hospital stays, and reduced medication costs.