Explore Top-rated Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs near Seattle, Washington

Last Updated/Verified: Jul 19, 2025
A pediatric nurse practitioner examines a young child holding a stuffed bear.

Seattle, Washington, is widely regarded as one of the most healthcare-forward cities on the West Coast. According to the University of Washington School of Nursing, Seattle consistently ranks among the best cities for nursing education and practice thanks to its robust academic resources and public health ecosystem. With nationally ranked pediatric hospitals, thriving research institutions, and a strong public health infrastructure, the city offers exceptional training opportunities for aspiring Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNPs). As the demand for advanced practice pediatric providers grows throughout the Pacific Northwest, Seattle stands out as a top location to pursue a PNP degree.

The city's commitment to health equity and community health outcomes reinforces the value of training locally. Nurses entering the PNP field from Seattle-based programs often find themselves uniquely positioned to serve a wide range of patients, from newborns in urban NICUs to teens in rural school-based health programs. With full practice authority and a supportive policy landscape, Washington makes it easier for nurse practitioners to transition quickly into meaningful clinical roles upon graduation.

Whether serving the city's diverse urban neighborhoods or traveling to remote tribal communities across Washington state, pediatric NPs trained in Seattle are uniquely positioned to deliver high-quality, culturally competent care. Several accredited universities in and around the city offer top-rated PNP programs designed to prepare students for board certification, clinical excellence, and leadership in child-focused care.

2025 Top-rated Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs near Seattle, Washington

Finding the right pediatric nurse practitioner program near Seattle, Washington, can make all the difference in your career. At nursepractitioneronline.com, we've ranked the top-rated programs for 2025 to help you choose the best path. Our list focuses on quality education, hands-on training, and strong support for students. Whether you're just starting or looking to advance your skills, these programs stand out for their excellence. We've done the research so you can focus on your future. Learn more about how we ranked these programs by visiting https://www.nursepractitioneronline.com/rankings-methodology/.

#1

University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

Tacoma, WA - Public 4-Year - tacoma.uw.edu

Graduate Certificate - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Certificate

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

The University of Washington-Tacoma Campus offers a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Certificate, a hybrid program tailored for advanced practice registered nurses seeking specialization in pediatric primary care. This 12-15 month program emphasizes health promotion, disease prevention, and the management of acute and chronic conditions in children from infancy through young adulthood. With a focus on culturally sensitive care and research-informed practice, students benefit from personalized curriculum planning and clinical experiences in both urban and rural settings. Graduates are well-prepared for national certification through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, enhancing their ability to provide comprehensive child healthcare.

  • 12-15 month certificate program
  • Full-time, in-person training
  • Personalized curriculum planning
  • Urban and rural clinical settings
  • Focuses on pediatric primary care
  • For advanced practice registered nurses
  • National certification preparation
  • Culturally sensitive care approach
  • Research-informed practice emphasis

Doctorate - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care

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

At the University of Washington-Tacoma Campus, the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care program is a hybrid Doctor of Nursing Practice track designed for nurses aiming to specialize in acute pediatric care. This 9-quarter program focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing complex health conditions in children from late preterm gestation through young adulthood. Students gain hands-on experience in diverse clinical settings, including emergency departments and intensive care, with pre-arranged placements. The program, which is the only PNP-AC track in the WWAMI region, offers $3.8M in scholarships and prepares graduates for PNCB certification, requiring one year of RN experience for admission.

  • 9-quarter DNP program
  • Full-time, in-person training
  • Pre-arranged clinical placements
  • Only WWAMI region PNP-AC track
  • $3.8M in DNP scholarships
  • Graduates eligible for PNCB certification
  • One year RN experience recommended

Doctorate - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care

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

The University of Washington-Tacoma Campus provides a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care track within its Doctor of Nursing Practice program, focusing on holistic care for children from late preterm to young adulthood. This hybrid program combines comprehensive health assessments, diagnosis, and management of health conditions with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention. With the advantage of pre-arranged clinical placements and access to $3.8M in scholarships, graduates are equipped to practice in a variety of settings, from primary care clinics to international health environments. The program, ranked #2 among public nursing schools, ensures eligibility for national certification upon completion.

  • 9-quarter Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Pre-arranged clinical placements
  • Full-time, in-person program
  • National certification eligibility
  • Comprehensive pediatric healthcare focus
  • Practice in diverse healthcare settings
Show 2 More Programs ˅
*Institutional data extracted from: IPEDS 2023, NCES.

Seattle's Unique Position in Pediatric Healthcare

Seattle serves as the pediatric referral hub for much of the Pacific Northwest. With institutions like Seattle Children's Hospital, Harborview Medical Center, and Swedish Medical Center, the city provides unmatched access to clinical training environments. These institutions also serve as innovation centers, supporting interdisciplinary collaboration between nurses, physicians, and public health specialists.

Beyond hospital walls, Seattle's emphasis on integrated, community-based healthcare creates opportunities for PNP students to engage with mobile units, public school partnerships, and culturally focused pediatric programs. Clinics serving immigrant, refugee, and LGBTQ+ youth populations offer students first-hand experience in equity-driven healthcare models. This environment helps shape pediatric nurse practitioners who are equipped to lead in both high-acuity and community-centered care settings.

Washington's Nurse Practitioner Compact status and full practice authority also enable NPs to provide care independently upon licensure, creating immediate employment opportunities after graduation. These regulatory freedoms position Seattle-trained NPs to practice at the top of their license across a wide range of care models.

What to Expect from a Top PNP Program

Top-rated Pediatric Nurse Practitioner programs in Seattle combine academic rigor with hands-on experience. Most are offered at the master's (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) level and include both didactic coursework and direct patient care hours. Faculty are often engaged in active clinical practice and research, giving students access to cutting-edge knowledge and mentorship.

Typical features include:

  • Accreditation by CCNE or ACEN to ensure program quality and eligibility for certification
  • Specialized pediatric curriculum focused on development, disease prevention, primary care, and pediatric pharmacology
  • Integrated clinical rotations at top children's hospitals and community pediatric sites across urban and suburban settings
  • Board exam preparation for certification through PNCB or ANCC, often including review modules or mock exams
  • Opportunities for research, advocacy, or policy involvement through university-affiliated health initiatives

Some programs offer dual tracks in pediatric acute and primary care, while others include global health or leadership concentrations. For those aiming to work in educational or administrative roles, doctoral-level pathways provide training in systems thinking, policy, and interdisciplinary team management.

Clinical Opportunities in Seattle's Pediatric Network

Students enrolled in Seattle-area PNP programs gain access to some of the region's most respected pediatric clinical sites. Clinical placements are designed to prepare students for a range of real-world practice environments, from hospital-based units to school and community health centers.

Clinical Rotation Partners

  • Seattle Children's Hospital
  • Harborview Pediatric Services
  • Swedish Pediatric Specialty Clinics
  • Neighborcare Health Community Clinics
  • Odessa Brown Children's Clinic
  • King County Public Health School-Based Health Centers

Rotations may include opportunities in pediatric primary care, behavioral health, chronic illness management, developmental screenings, and urgent care. Some programs also include simulation-based learning experiences and telehealth rotations to expand students’ competencies. These experiences are coordinated to meet certification requirements while aligning with students’ long-term career interests.

Career Outlook for Pediatric NPs in Washington

Seattle-based Pediatric Nurse Practitioners enter a workforce shaped by regional health needs, progressive practice laws, and a growing population of children and families seeking care. The state's commitment to healthcare access—especially in underserved communities—translates to strong job demand and long-term career sustainability for pediatric NPs.

Here's what aspiring PNPs can expect when entering the workforce in Washington:

  • Salary Potential: Pediatric Nurse Practitioners in Washington earn competitive salaries ranging from $118,000 to $135,000 annually, depending on experience, setting, and region. Positions in specialty clinics or urban centers like Seattle often pay at the higher end of the scale.
  • Growth Trajectory: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioner roles are projected to grow by 45% or more nationwide through 2032. This includes an increasing need for pediatric specialists across all care environments.
  • Top Employers: In Seattle, PNPs commonly find roles in children's hospitals (e.g., Seattle Children's), school health systems, telehealth platforms, and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) that serve low-income families.
  • Regional Gaps: While Seattle is well-served, Eastern Washington and Native American reservations continue to face shortages of pediatric providers. Many Seattle-trained NPs choose to relocate or provide telehealth services to bridge these geographic gaps.

PNPs who graduate from Seattle-area programs often have strong job placement rates and the flexibility to pursue subspecialties such as pediatric cardiology, endocrinology, or integrative medicine. Others transition into public health, academic, or policy roles where their pediatric training can influence population-level change.

How to Choose the Right PNP Program

With several high-caliber programs available, selecting the right PNP path involves more than reviewing cost or rankings. It's important to assess each program's mission, clinical partnerships, student support services, and outcomes.

What to Look For

  • Faculty experience in pediatric clinical and academic settings
  • Clinical site variety to gain exposure to different patient populations and age groups
  • Graduation and certification pass rates to gauge program effectiveness
  • Flexibility for part-time, online, or working nurses to accommodate diverse schedules
  • Alumni support and job placement assistance to ease the transition into practice

Prospective students should also examine program reputations for mentorship and long-term networking. Some schools offer structured mentoring initiatives or partnerships with local pediatric associations to help students build career momentum.

Begin a Rewarding Pediatric NP Career in Seattle

For registered nurses seeking a dynamic, child-centered career path, Seattle offers the ideal environment to grow into an impactful role as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. From world-class clinical training sites to a policy environment that supports nurse-led care, the region provides everything needed for success.

Top-rated programs in Seattle not only offer high-quality instruction but also foster leadership, resilience, and innovation in future nurse practitioners. Students graduate ready to address complex pediatric needs and advocate for the well-being of children and families across all communities.

Enrolling in a top-rated PNP program in Seattle means learning from leaders in pediatric healthcare, gaining hands-on experience in diverse settings, and joining a network of committed, compassionate providers. With careful program selection and focused preparation, becoming a pediatric NP in Seattle is both a practical and purpose-driven next step.

Learn more about nurse practitioner programs in Washington.

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