Best Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Programs near Miami, FL
Miami Children's Health District bustles with bright murals, bilingual teams, and—most days—waiting rooms packed with families who have traveled from across Latin America and the Caribbean searching for world-class pediatric care. Nicklaus Children's, Holtz Children's at Jackson Memorial, and Baptist Health's new children's hospital tower have pushed South Florida to the forefront of complex pediatric surgery, cardiac care, and transplant medicine. That growth means one thing for registered nurses passionate about kids: Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNPs) are in high demand.
The numbers underscore the region's need. Miami-Dade County's population of children under 18 climbed past 530,000 in 2024, even as many U.S. metros saw declines. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists Miami among the nation's top five metros for projected NP job growth through 2033. Yet, for many bedside RNs, the cost of graduate school feels daunting. The good news? Several quality-driven PNP programs within a 100-mile radius of Miami combine competitive tuition, hybrid course delivery, and built-in local clinical rotations, so you can keep earning. At the same time, you study and still surf Key Biscayne on your day off.
2025 Best Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Programs near Miami, FL
Florida International University
Miami, FL - Public 4-Year - fiu.edu
Doctorate - Post-BSN to DNP
Concentration: Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Visit Website
Florida International University offers an online Post-BSN to DNP program specializing in Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, designed for nurses aiming to advance their expertise in pediatric healthcare. This program focuses on preparing graduates to provide comprehensive care to newborns, children, and adolescents, with a strong emphasis on preventive care and managing chronic conditions. The 77-credit curriculum is tailored to develop advanced clinical skills, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for national certification as pediatric nurse practitioners. Admission requires a BSN degree, but no entrance exam is specified, making it accessible for qualified nursing professionals seeking to elevate their practice in pediatric primary care.
- Online doctoral nursing program
- 77 credit comprehensive curriculum
- Pediatric primary care specialization
- National certification preparation
- Advanced clinical practice focus
Why Earn Your PNP in Miami?
- Specialized clinical exposure. Level I pediatric trauma centers (Nicklaus, Holtz) and high-volume NICUs at Baptist Health South Florida give students experience with everything from ECMO to complex congenital heart disease.
- Multicultural population. Miami's diverse patient base prepares PNPs to deliver culturally and linguistically competent care, which is crucial for board certification and lifelong practice.
- Robust starting pay. Nurse practitioners in the Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach metro earn an average of $48.97 per hour ($101,870 annually), a figure poised to climb as new children's facilities open. bls.gov
Internal resources to explore: Online Nurse Practitioner Programs | Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs
Curriculum Snapshot & Clinical Expectations
| Track | Sample Courses | Typical Clinical Sites |
| Primary Care PNP (PC-PNP) | Advanced Pediatric Assessment; Growth & Development; Pediatric Chronic Disease Management | Community pediatrics, school-based clinics, Baptist Health urgent-care satellites |
| Acute Care PNP (AC-PNP) | Pediatric Pathophysiology; Diagnostic Reasoning for the Critically Ill Child; Procedures Lab | PICUs & CVICUs at Nicklaus Children's, Holtz Children's, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital |
| DNP Essentials (if applicable) | Population-Focused Epidemiology; Healthcare Economics; Translational Research | Quality-improvement projects at Jackson Health or Broward Health outpatient centers |
Most programs meet NONPF competencies and require 600–1,000 supervised clinical hours. For example, 65 percent of didactic work is online at the University of Miami, while clinical immersions are scheduled in three-day blocks every six weeks.
Typical Admission Requirements
- BSN (or MSN) from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited school
- Active Florida RN license (multistate compact also accepted)
- GPA 3.0–3.2+ (higher GPAs improve scholarship chances)
- Professional résumé and two clinical or academic references
- Personal statement describing pediatric career goals
- GRE waived for most applicants with a GPA ≥ 3.2
- One year of pediatric, NICU, or PICU RN experience preferred for AC-PNP tracks.
- Virtual or on-campus faculty interview
Tip: Miami programs fill early—submit complete, error-free packets by December for fall admission.
Program Cost Comparison
| University | Format | 2025 Tuition* | Stand-Out Value |
| Florida International University (FIU) – Miami | Hybrid (70 % online) | $479 per credit (in-state); $1,025 per credit (out-of-state) | Florida residents enjoy one of the lowest per-credit rates in the Southeast; clinical placements are guaranteed at Jackson Health |
| University of Miami (UM) | Hybrid | $2,170 per three-credit course | Block tuition bundles fees; merit awards up to $12 K for BSN GPAs ≥ 3.5 |
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) – Fort Lauderdale | Mostly online + monthly campus weekends | $1,085 per credit | Part-time pacing keeps RNs in the workforce; the pediatric simulation center has high-fidelity infant and child manikins |
| Barry University – Miami Shores | Online with two on-campus intensives | $990 per credit | HRSA grants have covered up to 50 % of tuition for students committing to underserved South Florida clinics |
*Excludes university fees, textbooks, parking, and required conference travel.
Funding & Cost-Saving Strategies
- Employer tuition assistance is available. Baptist Health offers up to $7,500 per year, and Nicklaus Children's reimburses 100 % for employees who stay two years after graduation.
- Florida Nurse Scholarship Program. Awards $15,000–$20,000 to APRN students who pledge service in state-designated shortage areas.
- HRSA Nurse Corps Loan Repayment. Forgives up to 85 % of the remaining education debt for PNPs in high-need pediatric clinics.
- Graduate assistantships. FIU and UM pay stipends for research and simulation-lab support.
Related read: CCNE Accredited Nurse Practitioner Programs
Salary Expectations & Job Outlook
Miami's pediatric providers compete for talent, predominantly bilingual NPs.
| Geography | Hourly Mean Wage | Annual Mean Wage |
| Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach Metro | $48.97 | $101,870 |
| Florida (all NPs) | $57.55 | $119,710 |
| United States (all NPs) | $58.47 | $121,610 |
Though metro pay sits below the national average, cost-of-living offsets (no state income tax) and tropical lifestyle perks keep Miami competitive.
Career Paths & Sub-Specialties
Graduates pursue roles such as:
- Primary Care PNPs in community health centers, school clinics, and telehealth.
- Acute Care PNPs manage PICU rounds, pediatric cardiac step-downs, and ECMO transport teams.
- Sub-specialty NPs in pediatric oncology, cardiology, endocrinology, or transplant services at Nicklaus or Holtz.
- Clinical educators for nursing schools or hospital-based pediatric residency programs.
If you're still deciding, compare Family Nurse Practitioner Programs Near Miami, FL to see how the scope of practice differs.
Work-Life-Study Balance Tips
- Leverage shift flexibility. Many Miami hospitals offer 12-hour self-scheduling—ideal for blocking study days.
- Commute smart. Metrorail and Brightline reduce I-95 traffic stress on campus-intensive weekends.
- Form bilingual study pods. Reviewing pediatric Spanish and Creole phrases prepares you for local clinicals and board exams.
- Use PTO strategically—save vacation for the capstone semester's 300-hour clinical block.
Accreditation & Licensure
Every program listed maintains CCNE accreditation and aligns with NONPF standards, preparing graduates for PNCB or ANCC pediatric certification—both accepted by the Florida Board of Nursing for APRN licensure. For step-by-step licensure guidance, see our Nurse Practitioner Certification Guide.
Networking & Professional Development
- Florida Nurse Practitioner Network (FNPN) – annual Orlando conference plus Southeast regional meet-ups.
- South Florida Council of Advanced Practice Nurses – monthly dinners featuring pediatric guest lecturers.
- UM Center for Pediatric Nursing Excellence – hosts free webinars on childhood obesity and vaccine hesitancy.
- Nicklaus Children's Research Institute invites APRN students to participate in pediatric clinical trials.
Local Employers Eager to Hire PNPs
| Health System | Notable Openings (June 2025) | Key Service Lines |
| Nicklaus Children's Hospital | Outpatient GI PNP; Pediatric Neurology PNP | Digestive health, neurology, inpatient float |
| Jackson Health System – Holtz Children's | Pediatric Cardiac APRN (nights) | Cardiac ICU, transplant |
| Baptist Health South Florida | PNP for new children's ED triage | Pediatric emergency, trauma |
| Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital – Hollywood | Hematology/Oncology PNP | Pediatric oncology, stem-cell transplant |
Indeed and LinkedIn listed 50+ pediatric NP roles across Florida as of May 2025, with half concentrated in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Decision Guide: Picking the Right PNP Program
- Contrast total credits. FIU's 45-credit MSN vs. NSU's 51 credits can save time and tuition.
- Check clinical-placement guarantees. FIU and UM have priority agreements with Jackson Health; out-of-state schools may expect you to find your preceptors.
- Ask about simulation fees. Some programs bundle high-fidelity lab access into tuition; others charge per session.
- Review scholarship renewal requirements; many stipulate a 3.5 GPA each term.
- Consider long-term flexibility. DNP pathways add leadership and policy skills, which are vital if you plan to direct a pediatric practice later.
Online Learning Essentials
- High-speed Wi-Fi for virtual OSCEs and live pediatric assessment labs.
- Secure proctoring software (e.g., ExamSoft) for pharmacology exams.
- Access to an EHR sandbox (Cerner or EPIC) for case documentation practice.
- Time-management apps—Miami beach weather can tempt you away from discussion boards!
Ready to Level-Up Children's Health in Miami?
South Florida's pediatric landscape is evolving quickly, and board-certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioners are central to that growth. By enrolling in one of the region's top PNP programs, you'll gain the advanced skills—and local clinical contacts—needed to keep Miami's children healthy from infancy through adolescence. Explore the program list above, connect with admissions advisers, and take your next step toward becoming a pediatric healthcare leader today.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024 Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics – Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024 State Occupational Employment & Wage Estimates – Florida
- Florida Department of Health, Population by Age Report, 2024
- Florida International University – Graduate Nursing Tuition & Fees
- University of Miami School of Nursing & Health Studies – MSN & DNP Cost of Attendance
- Nova Southeastern University – PNP Program Handbook & Tuition
- Barry University – Graduate Nursing Financial Aid & HRSA Grant Notice
- Nicklaus Children's Health System – APRN Job Listings
- Jackson Health System – Pediatric APRN Openings
- Indeed.com – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Jobs in Florida (May 2025)
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