Top Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Programs near Columbus, OH
Columbus is no longer just a test market for new snack foods—it's also a proving ground for pediatric healthcare innovation. Nationwide Children's Hospital (NCH) recorded more than 1.9 million total patient visits, including 474,716 visits specifically to its Specialty Care Clinics on the Columbus campus, opened the $200 million Behavioral Health Pavilion in 2024, and announced a 42-bed Level IV NICU expansion slated for 2026. Meanwhile, Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is piloting population-health dashboards that flag at-risk children for early PNP intervention. Add Franklin County's launch of district-wide telehealth hubs, and it's clear why the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services projects a significant surge in Nurse Practitioner positions across the state, with the overall occupation expected to grow by 43 percent between 2022 and 2032
For registered nurses with a BSN—or master's-prepared APRNs ready to specialize, Columbus offers on-campus, hybrid, and fully online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) pathways that blend evidence-based coursework with real-world clinical immersion. Below you'll find program highlights, admission tips, cost breakdowns, salary outlooks, and practical advice on juggling classes with 12-hour shifts and I-270 traffic.
2025 Best Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs near Columbus, OH
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH - Private 4-year - cedarville.edu
Doctorate - DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Concentration: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Cedarville University's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care offers a comprehensive online program designed for advanced practice nurses seeking specialized pediatric care expertise. Students undergo rigorous training with 800 supervised clinical hours, preparing them to deliver holistic healthcare for children from birth to 21 years old. The program uniquely integrates a Christian worldview with clinical excellence, providing flexible part-time and full-time pathways. Graduates are positioned to pursue national certification through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, with potential scholarship opportunities ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 for qualifying students. The hybrid format enables working professionals to advance their pediatric nursing career without compromising current employment.
- Online DNP program format
- 800 supervised clinical hours
- Biblical worldview integration
- Flexible completion options
- National certification preparation
- Scholarships available
- Advanced pediatric care training
- Christian faculty mentorship
Ohio State University
Columbus, OH - Public 4-Year - osu.edu
Master's - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Concentration: Primary Care - Campus Based - Visit Website
Ohio State University's Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner master's program focuses on comprehensive healthcare for children from birth through adolescence. Students gain expertise in well-child visits, acute and chronic illness management, and implementing evidence-based practices. The program includes 600 clinical practice hours, often completed at Nationwide Children's Hospital, and prepares graduates for national certification. Flexible scheduling accommodates both full-time and part-time students. This program requires an entrance exam.
- 600 clinical practice hours
- Multiple degree pathway options
- National certification preparation
- Nationwide Children's Hospital partnership
- Evidence-based curriculum design
Master's - Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Concentration: Acute Care - Campus Based - Visit Website
The Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program at Ohio State University trains nurses to manage critically ill children in settings like intensive care units and emergency rooms. The curriculum emphasizes advanced assessment, diagnosis, and treatment skills through 600 clinical hours. Designed for experienced pediatric nurses, the program meets national certification standards, offers full-time and part-time options, and prepares graduates for leadership roles. This program requires an entrance exam.
- 600 hours clinical experience
- Multiple degree pathway options
- Certification preparation
- Full-time and part-time
- Advanced pediatric care focus
Kent State University
Kent, OH - Public 4-Year - kent.edu
Master's - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Kent State University's Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program delivers comprehensive advanced nursing education focused on pediatric healthcare. Through a dynamic hybrid learning model, students gain sophisticated clinical skills for treating children from birth to 21 years old. The curriculum emphasizes preventative care, health education, and complex disease management strategies. Featuring CCNE accreditation, the program offers flexible full- and part-time tracks with significant online course options. Students benefit from nationally certified faculty mentorship and extensive clinical practicum experiences, preparing graduates to excel in diverse pediatric healthcare environments including hospitals, clinics, private practices, and school health settings.
- CCNE Accredited Program
- Nationally Certified Faculty
- Customizable Academic Plans
- Online Course Options
- Fall and Spring Start Dates
Why Columbus Is a Smart Choice for Aspiring PNPs
1. Pediatric Powerhouse Hospitals
Nationwide Children's ranks among U.S. News & World Report's top 10 children's hospitals in cardiology, neonatology, and neurology. Rotations there expose students to VV-ECMO, fetal surgery, and congenital heart ICU patients that few metro areas can match. OSU's Ross Heart Hospital gives PNPs hands-on experience in advanced congenital cardiology, while Mount Carmel St. Ann's provides Level II nursery exposure for primary-care–oriented students.
2. Research Meets Community Impact
OSU's College of Nursing partners with the Ohio Alliance for Innovation in Population Health to slash childhood obesity rates in Appalachian counties and pilot mobile asthma units in Linden. That means graduate PNPs finish with IRB-approved research credits and publishable quality-improvement projects—assets when applying for magnet-hospital positions.
3. Competitive Salaries & Loan Forgiveness
The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists Ohio NPs at a mean annual wage of $117,440, but Columbus recruiters report PNP offers of $ 121k–$ 128k plus $ 8k sign-on bonuses. Many employers participate in HRSA's Nurse Corps or Ohio's Primary Care Loan Repayment Program, wiping out $ 25k–$ 50k of graduate debt—details in Student Loan Forgiveness: 4 Options for Nurse Practitioners.
4. Modernized Practice Authority
Ohio's 2023 reform trimmed Standard Care Arrangement paperwork and expanded PNP telehealth privileges. Licensure and certification pathways are outlined in Nurse Practitioner Licensing & Certification, but Columbus hospitals further streamline onboarding with standardized credentialing packets.
5. Built-In Networking & CE
The Ohio chapter of NAPNAP hosts quarterly meet-ups at NCH's education center, and OSU's Helene Fuld Health Trust Simulation Center offers discounted continuing-education labs—perfect for fulfilling the requirements in [Nurse Practitioner Continuing Education & CE Courses] without traveling out of state.
Program Formats & Columbus Clinical Rotations
| Track | Delivery | Core Courses | Example Clinical Sites |
| MSN-PNP (Primary Care) | 60 % online hybrid (evening blocks) | Advanced Pediatric Pathophysiology · Well-Child Assessment · Chronic Pediatric Pharmacology | Primary-care clinics at NCH's Westerville and Hilliard Close-to-Home centers |
| DNP-PNP (Acute Care) | Online plus quarterly three-day residencies | Pediatric Critical Care Procedures · Population Health for Children · DNP Scholarly Project | CVICU & PICU at NCH Main Campus; Pediatric Emergency Department at OSU Wexner |
| Post-Master's PNP Certificate | 100 % online + two on-campus skills weeks | Acute Pediatric Illness Management · PNP Ultrasound & Procedures | Level II Nursery at Mount Carmel St. Ann's; telehealth pediatrics with PrimaryOne Health |
Need a broader snapshot of delivery models and certification exam pass rates? Compare options in Best Online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Programs.
Curriculum Deep-Dive
Bridge/Foundation (waived with prior coursework)
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Biostatistics for Evidence-Based Practice
Specialty Didactics
- Pediatric Growth & Development Across Cultures
- Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics
- Pediatric Dermatology for Primary-Care NPs
- Acute Pediatric Resuscitation & Trauma (for AG-AC PNP tracks)
Integrated Practicum
600–750 supervised hours across outpatient, inpatient, and community settings. Columbus rotations emphasize interprofessional teamwork—PNP students round with pediatric pharmacists, child-life specialists, and social workers to hone holistic care skills.
Admissions Snapshot
- Prerequisites: CCNE- or ACEN-accredited BSN (MSN/DNP for certificate)
- GPA: 3.0 overall; 3.2 science preferred (GRE waived at OSU, UC)
- Licensure: Unencumbered Ohio RN; Ohio APRN for certificate students
- Experience: One year of pediatrics, NICU, or PICU strongly preferred
- Certifications: BLS & PALS (ACLS required for acute-care tracks)
- Supplementals: Two clinical references, résumé, 500-word goal statement, CASPer or Kira interview
Application timelines and essay tips are broken down in Guide to Nurse Practitioner School Applications.
Tuition & Funding Breakdown (2025)
| University | In-State Cost/Cr* | Out-of-State Cost/Cr | Typical Awards |
| Ohio State University | $973 | $1,656 | "Grow Our Own" minority fellowship ($ 10k) |
| University of Cincinnati (online) | $724 | $724 | HRSA Primary Care Traineeship ($ 6k) |
| Capital University | $800 | $800 | Graduate Merit Award (25 % tuition) |
| Walsh University | $730 | $730 | DNP Fast-Track Grant ($ 5k) |
*Published tuition only; fees add $35–$55/credit. Columbus metro nurses often offset costs with hospital tuition benefits (up to $5,250 per year) and state Workforce Development scholarships.
Cost-Cutting Tips
- Transfer credit audits—waive up to 12 credits if you've completed graduate stats or pathophysiology.
- Part-time pacing—stretch tuition across seven semesters to avoid new loan origination fees.
- NCH fellowship offers $ 8k in stipends to underrepresented minority APRN students.
- Employer flex-pay—schedule payroll deduction plans to avoid interest accrual.
Columbus PNP Salary & Job Market
| Setting | Average Annual Salary | Common Benefits |
| Level I Trauma PICU | $128,900 | $5/hr night diff · $ 3k certification bonus |
| Outpatient Primary-Care PNP | $118,200 | $ 7k sign-on · 4-day workweek |
| School-Based Health Center | $112,750 | 10-month schedule · STRS pension |
| Telehealth PNP Contractor | $70–$85/hr | Home office stipend · Remote CME budget |
Beyond paychecks, many employers cover CME for required contact hours—details in Nurse Practitioner Continuing Education & CE Courses.
Career Paths & Sub-Specialties
- Primary-Care PNP—Community clinics in Linden, Hilltop, and Reynoldsburg
- Acute-Care PNP—PICU and CVICU at NCH Main Campus
- Pediatric Cardiology NP—Congenital heart program at OSU Ross Heart Hospital
- Pediatric ER NP—Level I trauma bay (compare duties in Pediatric ER Nurse: Career Overview)
- Academic Faculty—Lecturers at OSU's Helene Fuld Simulation Center
Networking Tip: Join Ohio NAPNAP's mentorship circle—pair with a Columbus PNP preceptor months before clinicals begin.
Work-Life-Study Balance in the 614
- Clinical scheduling—Tues-Thurs rotations dodge OSU game-day traffic and shift peak.
- Transit hacks—Ride COTA's CMAX rapid buses; stream lectures during the 15-minute trip from Easton Town Center to downtown.
- Study hubs—Stauf's Coffee (Grandview) offers free meeting rooms; Kafé Kerouac hosts weekly medical-literature nights.
- PTO planning—Set aside two weeks of paid time for the 180-hour capstone immersion; preceptors prefer four straight weeks.
Additional survival strategies appear in 4 Tips to Succeed in Nurse Practitioner Clinical Rotations.
How to Choose the Right Columbus PNP Program
| Decision Filter | OSU | University of Cincinnati | Capital | Walsh |
| Finish time | 2 yr full-time MSN; 3 yr DNP | 5-sem MSN online | 6-semester MSN hybrid | 7-sem part-time DNP |
| On-campus days | 3-day residencies/term | None | 1 Saturday/month | 2 weekends/yr |
| Clinical placement | Guaranteed | Dedicated placement team | Guaranteed | Student-led with faculty support |
| Sub-specialty add-ons | Neonatal, Pediatric Acute | None | Faith-based community health | Leadership electives |
| Doctoral bridge | MSN credits roll into DNP | Post-master's DNP (36 cr) | DNP option after MSN | Integrated BSN-to-DNP |
Ready to Shape Central Ohio's Youngest Lives?
Hospitals, suburban pediatric practices, and school-based clinics across Columbus are hiring PNPs. Request program brochures, run your transcript through a credit-waiver audit, and lock in your first clinical rotation today—then step into a career that keeps Buckeye kids smiling, learning, and thriving.
Sources
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners. "Workforce Data – Ohio," 2024
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Occupational Employment and Wages: Nurse Practitioners (29-1171), May 2024"
- Ohio Department of Job & Family Services. "2024 Employment Projections for Advanced-Practice Nurses"
- Nationwide Children's Hospital. Community Benefit Report, 2024
- Ohio State University College of Nursing. Graduate Program Fact Sheet, 2025
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