Best Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs in California

California is one of the most rewarding states in the nation for pursuing Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) training. With its large and diverse population of children, world-class children's hospitals, and strong demand for pediatric health providers, the Golden State offers excellent educational and clinical opportunities for future PNPs.

Whether you're an RN looking to advance into primary pediatric care, acute pediatric care, or a dual-role PNP specialty, California graduate programs provide rigorous training with access to top-tier clinical environments across the state, from the Bay Area to Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Central Valley.

This article will cover:

• Pathways to becoming a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in California
• The difference between Primary Care PNP (PC-PNP) and Acute Care PNP (AC-PNP)
• California-specific clinical placement opportunities
• State salary data and job outlook
• What to look for in a California PNP program

2026 Best Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs in California

Looking for the best pediatric nurse practitioner programs in California? You have come to the right place. At nursepractitioneronline.com, we have carefully reviewed and ranked the top programs across the state. Our goal is to help you find a program that fits your career goals and educational needs. We consider factors like curriculum quality, clinical opportunities, and faculty expertise. These programs prepare you to provide excellent care to children and families. Start your journey to becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner with confidence by exploring our trusted rankings. https://www.nursepractitioneronline.com/rankings-methodology/

#1

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA - Public 4-Year - csulb.edu

BSN to MSN - Nursing, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Concentration: Pediatric Primary Care - Campus Based - Visit Website

California State University-Long Beach's MSN Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program delivers specialized training for RNs seeking expertise in pediatric healthcare. This campus-based program emphasizes comprehensive pediatric assessment, treatment protocols, and child health management through rigorous clinical practicums and advanced coursework. Admission requires a current RN license, 3.0 undergraduate GPA, and prerequisite courses in statistics and pathophysiology. As a master's level program, it does not mandate entrance exams. Graduates are equipped to provide high-quality, patient-centered care in diverse pediatric settings, supported by Board of Nursing approval and a curriculum spanning 30-48 units.

• Master of Science in Nursing
• Board of Nursing Approved
• 30-48 total program units
• Requires current RN license
• 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA
• Multiple clinical practicum courses
• Advanced pathophysiology training
• Comprehensive pediatric focus

#2

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda, CA - Private 4-year - llu.edu

MSN to DNP - Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Loma Linda University's hybrid Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner DNP program trains BSN-prepared nurses to deliver comprehensive healthcare to patients from newborns through age 21. Spanning 3.9 years with full-time or part-time options, it requires a 3.0 GPA, California RN license, and 1000 clinical hours. The curriculum emphasizes advanced clinical skills like prescription writing and diagnostic interpretation, alongside leadership, healthcare policy, and evidence-based practice in pediatric primary care. CCNE accredited, this program does not require an entrance exam, focusing on quality improvement in diverse pediatric settings.

• Hybrid DNP program format
• 3.9 years full-time duration
• Pediatric care 0-21 years
• CCNE accredited program
• Advanced clinical skills training
• Leadership and policy focus
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• California RN license needed
• 1000 clinical hours required
• Evidence-based practice emphasis

MSN to DNP - Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Concentration: Acute Care - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Loma Linda University's hybrid Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner DNP program prepares RNs with critical care experience to manage complex pediatric health issues in settings like ICUs and emergency departments. Over 3 years and 9 months, students gain skills to stabilize children with acute and chronic conditions, minimizing complications through rigorous online and on-campus training. Requiring 1000 clinical hours and a California RN license, this CCNE-accredited program focuses on advanced clinical decision-making without an entrance exam, equipping graduates for roles in hospitals and specialized clinics.

• Hybrid DNP program
• 3 years and 9 months duration
• CCNE accredited program
• Minimum 1000 clinical hours
• RN license with acute care experience required
• On-campus and online learning
• Pediatric acute care focus
• Advanced clinical skills training
• Multiple career setting opportunities
• California BRN approved

Show 1 More Programs ˅

#3

University of California-San Francisco

San Francisco, CA - Public 4-Year - ucsf.edu

BSN to MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Concentration: Primary Care - Campus Based - Visit Website

The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care program at UCSF equips advanced nursing professionals to deliver comprehensive healthcare from birth through young adulthood, emphasizing health equity and serving diverse, underserved pediatric populations in ambulatory settings. Students develop critical skills to address health disparities, manage chronic illnesses, and provide holistic primary care across community clinics, schools, and healthcare networks. This campus-based program prepares graduates for national certification, focusing on primary care pediatric specialty with diverse clinical rotation sites. No entrance exam is required for this master's or doctorate level program.

• Primary care pediatric specialty
• Health equity focused
• Diverse clinical rotation sites
• National certification eligible
• Comprehensive pediatric training

BSN to MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Concentration: Acute Care - Campus Based - Visit Website

The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care program at UCSF trains students to provide family-centered care for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with unstable chronic, complex acute, and critical health conditions. This campus-based program emphasizes restorative care during rapidly changing clinical conditions and requires a minimum of two years of clinical practice in an acute pediatric setting for admission. Graduates are eligible for state licensure and CPNP-AC national certification, working in various acute care settings with a focus on diverse, inclusive care and reducing health disparities. No entrance exam is required for this master's or doctorate level program.

• Focuses on acute pediatric care.
• Prepares for CPNP-AC certification.
• Requires two years of clinical practice.
• Emphasizes restorative care.
• Only PNP-AC program in California.
• Eligible for state licensure.
• Works with interprofessional teams.
• Focuses on diverse, inclusive care.
• Improves health care access.
• Reduces health disparities.

MSN to DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care

Concentration: Acute Care - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

UCSF's Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Acute Care (PNP-AC) program, the only one in California, prepares advanced nursing professionals to deliver specialized, family-centered care for critically ill children. This hybrid program requires two years of clinical experience and focuses on managing complex pediatric health conditions in intensive care units and emergency departments. Emphasizing leadership, evidence-based practice, and reducing healthcare disparities, graduates become skilled clinicians capable of independent clinical decisions and interprofessional teamwork. No entrance exam is required for this master's or doctorate level program.

• Only PNP-AC in California
• Two years clinical experience required
• National certification eligible
• Hybrid program format
• Focus on acute pediatric care
• Interprofessional team training
• Diverse, inclusive healthcare approach

MSN to DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care

Concentration: Primary Care - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

UCSF's Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care program, offered in a hybrid format, prepares advanced nursing professionals to deliver comprehensive healthcare for children from birth through young adulthood. With a strong focus on health equity, the program addresses health disparities and develops clinical expertise in ambulatory settings. Students gain advanced skills in pediatric primary and chronic illness care through clinical rotations in diverse environments like community health centers and public clinics, emphasizing service to vulnerable and underserved populations. No entrance exam is required for this master's or doctorate level program.

• Health equity focused specialty
• Birth to young adult care
• Diverse clinical rotation sites
• National certification eligible
• Ambulatory care expertise
• Chronic illness management skills
• Underserved population emphasis

Show 3 More Programs ˅

*Federal data source: IPEDS 2023, administered by NCES.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Pathways in California

California offers multiple educational routes to become a certified PNP. Depending on your current level of nursing education, you can pursue:

1. MSN – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

• Designed for BSN-prepared RNs
• Typically completed in 2–3 years
• Available in both Primary Care and Acute Care PNP tracks

2. DNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

• Ideal for nurses seeking a terminal practice degree
• Often 3–4 years full time
• Focuses on advanced clinical leadership, evidence-based practice, and population health

3. Post-Master's PNP Certificate

• For APRNs who already hold an MSN or DNP
• Allows nurses to transition into a new pediatric specialty
• Usually 1–2 years depending on previous coursework

Many California PNP programs offer hybrid or online courses paired with in-person clinicals, making them accessible to working nurses across the state.

Primary vs. Acute Care PNP Programs

California PNP programs typically prepare students for one of two national certification pathways:

Primary Care PNP (PC-PNP)

Ideal for nurses who want to provide:

• Wellness care
• Developmental screenings
• Chronic disease management
• Care in outpatient pediatric clinics, community health centers, and private practices

Acute Care PNP (AC-PNP)

Designed for nurses who want to work in:

• Pediatric ICUs
• Emergency departments
• Hospital inpatient units
• Specialty and subspecialty clinics

Some California schools offer dual PC/AC PNP training, though these programs are more intensive and competitive.

Clinical Training Opportunities Across California

California offers unmatched clinical experiences for PNP students, thanks to its nationally recognized children's hospitals and its diverse urban, suburban, and rural communities.

Examples of California Clinical Environments

Students completing Primary Care PNP tracks may also rotate in:

• School-based clinics
• Community health centers
• Mobile pediatric care units
• Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)

PNP Curriculum Overview in California

While each school has its own structure, most programs include:

Core Graduate Nursing Courses:

• Advanced Pharmacology
• Advanced Health Assessment
• Advanced Pathophysiology
• Evidence-based Practice
• Healthcare Leadership

Pediatric Specialty Courses:

• Pediatric Development & Health Promotion
• Pediatric Primary Care (for PC-PNP)
• Pediatric Acute & Critical Care (for AC-PNP)
• Pediatric Pharmacology
• Complex & Chronic Pediatric Conditions

Clinical Requirements:

Most California PNP programs require 500–1,000+ hours, depending on specialty and degree level.

DNP programs also include a scholarly project completed in a California healthcare organization.

California PNP Licensure & Certification Requirements

After completing a PNP program, graduates must:

1. Become certified through
   • PNCB (Pediatric Nursing Certification Board) for PC-PNP or AC-PNP
   • ANCC (for certain pediatric-focused tracks)
2. Apply for Nurse Practitioner licensure through the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN).
3. Obtain furnishing number & DEA registration, if prescribing medications.

California NP practice authority is transitioning, but still requires:

• Standardized Procedures for most new NPs
• Pathway to independent practice after meeting state requirements (as of AB-890 implementation)

Cost of PNP Programs in California

PNP program tuition varies significantly by institution and degree type.

Estimated Tuition Ranges

Costs may be higher at private universities in Los Angeles or the Bay Area, and lower at public institutions like CSU or UC campuses (when available).

Additional expenses include:

• Books and course materials
• Background checks and immunizations
• Clinical clearance fees
• Commuting or travel to clinical sites
• Skills labs or simulation fees

California PNP Salary & Job Outlook

California consistently ranks among the top-paying states for nurse practitioners, including pediatric specialists.

Average PNP Salaries in California

PNPs are in especially high demand in:

• Underserved urban communities
• Rural counties (Humboldt, Kern, Tulare, Imperial)
• FQHC clinics
• School-based health systems
• Pediatric mental health services

California's pediatric population is extremely diverse, offering PNPs meaningful opportunities to work with children across cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Why Choose a Pediatric NP Career in California?

PNPs play a major role in expanding pediatric access across California. With rising childhood chronic conditions, a shortage of pediatricians, and the need for developmental and preventative services, PNPs are vital to the state's healthcare workforce.

Top Advantages

• Strong job security
• Excellent salary potential
• Ability to work in many sub-specialties
• Opportunities in both inpatient and outpatient pediatrics
• High need in rural and underserved communities
• Ability to advance into leadership, care coordination, or population health roles

What to Look for in a California PNP Program

1. Specialty Alignment

Choose PC-PNP or AC-PNP based on your long-term goals.

2. Clinical Placement Support

Some California programs assign clinical sites; others require students to arrange their own.

3. Program Format

Hybrid and online options may be ideal for nurses working full time.

4. Faculty Expertise

Programs affiliated with major children's hospitals often provide richer pediatric training.

5. Regional Clinical Opportunities

Consider whether the program has established relationships in your intended practice region.

6. Cost & Time Commitment

DNP programs take longer and cost more, but prepare graduates for leadership and clinical excellence.

FAQs

Q: Are PNPs in high demand in California?

A: Yes. Pediatric providers are in short supply across California, especially in underserved areas, community clinics, and school-based health programs.

Q: Can PNP students complete their clinicals near where they live?

A: Often yes. Many hybrid and online programs allow students to seek approved preceptors in their local region, though availability varies.

Q: Is it better to choose a Primary Care PNP or an Acute Care PNP program?

A: It depends on whether you prefer outpatient pediatric care (PC-PNP) or hospital-based, high-acuity pediatric practice (AC-PNP).

Q: Do PNPs have prescriptive authority in California?

A: Yes. After completing a PNP program and obtaining a California furnishing license and DEA registration, PNPs may prescribe medications.

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Judy Daniels, MSN, RN, AGPCNP-BC

Judy Daniels, MSN, RN, AGPCNP-BC has spent over 15 years working as an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner in the greater Portland, Oregon area. More recently, she has turned her attention to nursing education and writing. Judy and her husband have 2 children and 2 dogs.

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