Best Online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs in Virginia
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Virginia is home to some of the Mid-Atlantic’s most respected academic medical centers, a growing network of children’s hospitals, and a pediatric workforce gap that shows no signs of closing on its own. For RNs ready to specialize in pediatric care, an online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program offers a path to advanced practice without leaving the job or relocating.
This guide is written specifically for Virginia-based nurses navigating program options, clinical placement realities, and what PNP practice actually looks like in the Commonwealth.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- How primary care (PNP-PC) and acute care (PNP-AC) tracks differ, and how to choose
- What MSN, DNP, and post-master’s certificate programs require and who each suits best
- Where Virginia students typically complete clinical hours
- What to watch for in fully online programs before you enroll
- Where PNP graduates work in Virginia and what they earn
2026 Best Online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs in Virginia
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA - Public 4-Year - virginia.edu
MSN to DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care (Primary Care)
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care program at the University of Virginia prepares advanced practice nurses to deliver exceptional pediatric healthcare. Students gain comprehensive skills in conducting well-child visits, managing acute and chronic illnesses, and providing holistic family-centered care. The hybrid program offers full and part-time options, combining online learning with monthly in-person classes. With 750 clinical practicum hours and training at top-ranked UVA Health, graduates are equipped to take certification exams and practice autonomously in primary care settings, addressing community health needs.
- Hybrid learning format
- 750 clinical practicum hours
- Full and part-time options
- Certification exam preparation
- Community-based primary care focus
- Interdisciplinary team collaboration
- Tuition: $21,302 (VA residents)
- 3.0 minimum GPA required
- Multiple entry pathways
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA - Public 4-Year - odu.edu
BSN to MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Old Dominion University's Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program prepares advanced nursing professionals to provide comprehensive primary care for children. This online, distance learning program equips students with essential skills to deliver health promotion, maintenance, and restorative care across pediatric settings. Students gain expertise through a hybrid curriculum combining online coursework with practical clinical experiences. Graduates qualify for certification and enjoy excellent career prospects, with a 100% degree completion and certification pass rate. The program requires a minimum of 560 clinical practicum hours, ensuring students develop real-world competencies.
- 100% Degree Completion Rate
- Primarily Online Learning
- 560 Clinical Practicum Hours
- No GRE Required (3.5+ GPA)
- Hybrid Program Format
Primary Care vs. Acute Care: The Most Important Decision You’ll Make
Before comparing programs, prospective students need to understand that pediatric NP training splits into two distinct certification tracks, and they are not interchangeable.
| PNP-Primary Care (PNP-PC) | PNP-Acute Care (PNP-AC) | |
| Setting | Outpatient clinics, private practices, school health | Hospitals, PICUs, emergency departments |
| Certification Exam | PNCB CPNP-PC or ANCC | PNCB CPNP-AC |
| Clinical Focus | Well-child visits, chronic disease management, prevention | Complex/critical illness, post-surgical care, inpatient management |
| Virginia Demand | High in suburban/rural communities | Concentrated in major children’s hospital systems |
Most online programs in Virginia and nationally offer the primary care track. Acute care programs are less common online and tend to require more structured hospital-based clinical placements; something to verify carefully with any program you’re considering.
Track Tip: If you currently work in a pediatric ICU or ED at a Virginia hospital and want to stay in that environment, confirm that any program you apply to offers the PNP-AC track and has established clinical partners that can support inpatient hours. Not all online programs do.
Program Levels: MSN, DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificates
MSN-PNP programs are the traditional entry point. Typically 2–3 years post-BSN, they prepare graduates to sit for national certification and meet Virginia’s APRN licensure requirements. The Virginia Board of Nursing requires graduation from an accredited NP program (CCNE or ACEN) and passing a recognized national certification exam — no additional state-specific academic requirements apply.
DNP-PNP programs are growing in prominence. Virginia’s major academic health systems, including Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD) in Norfolk and UVA Health in Charlottesville, increasingly list the DNP as preferred for specialty NP and leadership roles. BSN-to-DNP pathways typically run 3–4 years; post-MSN DNP programs can often be completed in 1–2 additional years.
Post-master’s PNP certificates offer a shorter route for NPs already certified in another specialty, such as family practice or neonatal care, who want to pivot to pediatrics. These programs vary in length (typically 3–5 semesters) and generally require students to meet the same clinical hour benchmarks as degree-seeking students.
Learn more about Virginia nurse practitioner schools.
Online Format: What It Actually Means for Virginia Students
“Online” in graduate nursing means asynchronous or synchronous coursework delivered remotely, but clinical hours always happen in person. For Virginia students, the practical question is: where will you complete your clinical rotations, and will the school help you find a preceptor?
What online programs typically offer:
- Asynchronous lecture content, discussion boards, and virtual simulation
- Synchronous seminars (often weekly or biweekly via video)
- Some programs include on-campus intensives for skills labs or simulation — check frequency before enrolling
What students are usually responsible for:
- Identifying and securing a qualified preceptor (a certified PNP or physician with pediatric specialty)
- Arranging access to a clinical site that meets program requirements
- Managing HIPAA agreements, immunization records, and site onboarding paperwork independently
Placement Tip: Virginia has a strong cluster of pediatric clinical resources, particularly in Northern Virginia, Richmond, Hampton Roads, and Charlottesville. If you live in a more rural area, such as the Shenandoah Valley, Southwest Virginia, or the Eastern Shore, start the preceptor conversation with your program well before your clinical semester begins. Ask specifically whether the school has any existing affiliation agreements in your region.
Where Virginia PNP Students Complete Clinical Hours
Virginia’s pediatric healthcare infrastructure is concentrated in a handful of major systems, most of which regularly work with graduate nursing students:
Major Clinical Training Sites in Virginia:
- Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD) — Norfolk; the state’s only freestanding children’s hospital, a major site for acute care hours
- UVA Children’s — Charlottesville; strong for both primary and acute care placements
- VCU Children’s Hospital of Richmond — inpatient and subspecialty pediatric care
- Inova Children’s Hospital — Falls Church; serves Northern Virginia and the DC metro area
- Carilion Children’s — Roanoke; primary resource for Southwest Virginia students
- Pediatric primary care practices affiliated with Sentara, Riverside Health System, and Bon Secours across the state
- Virginia Department of Health school-based health centers — particularly useful for primary care track students
- Federally Qualified Health Centers such as HealthWorks for Northern Virginia and Virginia Community Healthcare Association member clinics
Students pursuing the acute care track will almost always need to arrange placements within hospital systems. CHKD, Inova, and UVA Children’s are the most commonly utilized.
Practicing as a PNP in Virginia: Scope, Employers, and Pay
Virginia operates under a restricted practice model, meaning NPs must practice under a written practice agreement with a collaborating physician. This applies to PNPs as it does to all APRNs in the Commonwealth. Legislation to expand NP practice authority has been introduced in the General Assembly in recent years, so prospective students should monitor changes that may affect independent practice rights by the time they graduate.
Top employers of PNPs in Virginia:
- Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD)
- Inova Health System (Northern Virginia)
- UVA Health
- VCU Health
- Carilion Clinic
- Sentara Healthcare (Hampton Roads)
- Bon Secours Mercy Health (Richmond region)
- Private pediatric practices throughout Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Virginia Beach corridors
Salary data for pediatric NPs in Virginia reflects the state’s broad geographic range. NPs in Northern Virginia and the DC suburbs generally earn at the higher end, commonly $115,000–$135,000, while those in rural Southwest Virginia or the Eastern Shore may see ranges closer to $95,000–$110,000, sometimes supplemented by loan repayment through NHSC-designated shortage areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Virginia recognize both PNCB and ANCC pediatric NP certifications for licensure?
A: Yes. The Virginia Board of Nursing accepts national certification from recognized bodies including PNCB (for both CPNP-PC and CPNP-AC) and ANCC. Either credential satisfies the state’s APRN licensure requirement.
Q: Is there a difference in how Virginia employers view MSN vs. DNP-prepared PNPs?
A: In most clinical settings, both credentials qualify you for the same patient care roles. The distinction tends to matter most for leadership positions, academic faculty roles, or specialty departments within large systems like CHKD or Inova. If academic nursing is a potential career direction, the DNP (or PhD) is essentially required at most Virginia institutions.
Q: How many clinical hours are required for Virginia APRN licensure?
A: Virginia does not specify a standalone clinical hour requirement for licensure; it defers to the standards of the accredited program you complete. Most MSN-PNP programs require a minimum of 500 hours, while DNP programs typically require 1,000 or more. PNCB certification exams also have their own minimum hour requirements; confirm alignment between your program’s hours and the certification body’s threshold.
Q: Are there any Virginia-specific scholarships or loan repayment programs for PNPs?
Virginia offers the State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) for APRNs who commit to practicing in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas. Additionally, the Virginia Nurses Foundation and some health systems (including Carilion and CHKD) offer tuition assistance or loan support for nurses pursuing advanced degrees, particularly in specialties with documented workforce shortages.
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