Are you a registered nurse with a passion for pediatrics and critical care? The demand for skilled Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (PNPs) is growing, and NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing is at the forefront of preparing advanced practice nurses to meet this crucial need. Our newly approved Acute Care NP Program in NY offers a comprehensive and innovative pathway to specialize in acute and critical care for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. Whether you are looking to expand your expertise or transition into a specialized role, NYU’s program provides the rigorous education and clinical experience necessary to excel as a leader in pediatric healthcare.
What is a Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner?
Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who provide expert care to young patients experiencing acute, critical, and complex illnesses. PNPs specializing in acute care are essential in hospital settings, emergency departments, specialty clinics, and intensive care units. They are highly skilled in assessing, diagnosing, and managing a wide range of conditions, from common infections to life-threatening emergencies. NYU’s Acute Care NP program prepares nurses to be at the forefront of pediatric healthcare, equipped with the knowledge and skills to:
- Conduct comprehensive assessments of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
- Develop and implement evidence-based treatment plans.
- Interpret diagnostic tests and clinical data.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to optimize patient care.
- Advocate for patients and families within the healthcare system.
- Provide leadership in pediatric acute care settings.
NYU’s Comprehensive Acute Care NP Program
NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing offers several pathways to become a certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, including a specialized focus on acute care. Our programs are designed to meet the diverse needs of aspiring PNPs:
- Pediatrics NP Primary Care/Acute Care Program: This innovative combined program provides students with a broad foundation in both primary and acute care pediatrics. Graduates are prepared to practice in a variety of settings, including acute care units, primary care clinics, and specialty practices, caring for children with both acute and chronic conditions.
- Pediatrics Post Master’s Acute Care Program: For nurses who already hold a master’s degree in nursing, this program offers a focused pathway to specialize in acute care pediatrics and obtain the Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner- Acute Care (CPNP-AC) certification.
Both programs leverage a hybrid learning model, blending the flexibility of online interactive instruction with the invaluable experience of on-campus interaction. Key features of the NYU Acute Care NP programs include:
- Expert Faculty: Learn from leading pediatric nurse practitioners and faculty who are dedicated to your success. Benefit from direct mentorship and personalized guidance throughout your program.
- Interactive Learning: Engage in dynamic, synchronous online sessions and participate in two on-campus meetings per semester for immersive learning and networking.
- Problem-Based Learning: Develop critical thinking and advanced clinical reasoning skills through interactive educational experiences grounded in problem-based learning methodologies and real-world case studies.
- Extensive Clinical Placements: Gain hands-on experience through carefully arranged clinical placements with expert certified PNPs in diverse settings, including primary care, specialty care, and acute care environments.
- Individualized Attention: Benefit from a supportive learning environment with individualized attention to help you achieve your personal and professional goals.
- Clinical Simulation: Master essential competencies in a safe and controlled environment through engaging clinical simulation experiences with Standardized Patients.
- Interprofessional Education: Collaborate and learn alongside students from other healthcare disciplines, fostering essential teamwork skills for modern healthcare settings.
Curriculum and Program Goals
The NYU Acute Care NP program curriculum is meticulously designed to equip graduates with the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to excel in pediatric acute care. The program goals focus on developing competent, compassionate, and leading PNPs who can:
- Promote High-Quality Care: Provide the highest standard of care for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults across the spectrum of healthcare acuity, from primary to acute and specialty care.
- Holistic Patient-Centered Approach: Analyze the multifaceted impact of treatment plans on patients and families, considering physical, emotional, social, and economic factors within culturally diverse populations, using patient- and family-centered care frameworks.
- Collaborative Practice: Effectively collaborate with interprofessional healthcare teams to design and implement comprehensive care plans for children with both acute and chronic conditions.
- Evidence-Based Practice: Critically evaluate clinical practice guidelines, research findings, and quality improvement studies to determine and implement best practices in pediatric acute care.
- Leadership and Advocacy: Develop leadership and advocacy skills to influence health policy and improve healthcare delivery systems for children and families across diverse settings.
- Professional Development: Enhance professional writing and scholarly presentation skills for effective communication and dissemination of knowledge.
- Lifelong Learning: Demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development and lifelong learning to maintain clinical competence in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
- Telehealth Integration: Examine and apply the principles of telehealth and telemedicine to expand access to and enhance the quality of pediatric care.
- Population Health Focus: Apply population health principles and culturally sensitive care approaches to address the unique needs of diverse pediatric populations, with a focus on medically underserved communities.
- Quality Improvement: Analyze, implement, and evaluate evidence-based practices and quality improvement initiatives to continuously enhance patient outcomes in acute care settings.
Hands-on Clinical Experience
NYU is committed to providing students with exceptional hands-on clinical experiences. Clinical placements are carefully arranged by faculty to align with individual student learning goals and professional aspirations. Students benefit from diverse practicum opportunities in:
- Pediatric Primary and Acute Care Practices: Gain foundational experience in both primary and acute care settings.
- Pediatric Specialty Practices: Explore specialized areas such as pulmonology, cardiology, oncology, endocrinology, and musculoskeletal settings to deepen your expertise.
- Hospitals and Acute Care Units: Develop critical skills in high-acuity environments, including pediatric intensive care units and emergency departments.
These clinical experiences provide invaluable one-to-one learning opportunities with expert Pediatric Nurse Practitioners who serve as preceptors, guiding and evaluating student progress in collaboration with the Program Director. This individualized mentorship ensures each student’s success in clinical coursework and prepares them for confident entry into advanced practice.
Program Outcomes and Certification
Graduates of the NYU Acute Care NP program are exceptionally well-prepared for successful careers as Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Program outcomes include:
- National Certification Eligibility: Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care (CPNP-PC) and Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care (CPNP-AC) national certification examinations administered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).
- NYS Licensure: The program meets the requirements for licensure as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in New York State and is designed to meet licensure requirements across all states.
- DEA Number Eligibility: Graduates meet state and federal requirements to obtain a DEA number upon graduation, enabling them to prescribe medications.
- Prescriptive Privileges: The program fulfills state requirements for obtaining prescription privileges, allowing graduates to independently manage medication plans for their patients.
- Practice Readiness: Graduates are prepared to practice as PNPs with full scope of practice within the licensure authority of any state board of nursing, including patient evaluation, diagnosis, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, and initiating and managing comprehensive treatment plans.
NYU Meyers PNP graduates are highly sought after and recognized as leaders in pediatric healthcare across the United States. If you are ready to advance your nursing career and make a significant impact on the lives of children and families, NYU’s Acute Care NP program is your ideal next step.
