Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

The Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner prepares the Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to provide care in the pediatric acute care role.

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Program Overview

The Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate is designed to equip practicing advanced practice nurses (APRNs) with the advanced knowledge and clinical skills needed to deliver high-quality care to infants, children, and adolescents with acute, critical, and complex health conditions. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, efficient resource management, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the use of technology, information systems, and clinical reasoning to improve patient outcomes across acute care settings.

Why pursue an Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate?

Pediatric patients in acute and critical care settings require specialized providers who can recognize subtle changes in condition, make timely clinical decisions, and deliver comprehensive, family-centered care. This certificate provides practicing APRNs the opportunity to expand their scope of practice, enhance their clinical expertise, and meet the growing demand for pediatric acute care providers. Through advanced coursework and hands-on clinical experiences, students develop the knowledge and confidence to manage complex pediatric illnesses, perform advanced procedures, and lead within interdisciplinary health care teams.

What can you do with a graduate certificate in Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner?

The Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate prepares APRNs to provide specialized care to pediatric patients with acute, critical, and chronic complex conditions across a variety of health care settings. Graduates are prepared to assess, diagnose, and manage pediatric patients in environments such as pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), emergency departments, specialty inpatient units, hospitalist services, urgent care centers, and specialty clinics. This certificate also provides eligibility to sit for national certification as a Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, expanding professional opportunities and allowing APRNs to practice in high-acuity pediatric settings.

Curriculum

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Acute Care Program of Study (effective Spring 2026)

Admissions

Learn more about eligibility and applying for graduate school at UT Knoxville and the specific admission requirements for the Certificate programs.

Learn more about admissions and aid

Tuition and Aid

Investing in your future through graduate education is a valuable step toward achieving your career goals.

Learn more about our tuition and fees for the program

Please note stand-alone Graduate Certificates do not qualify for federal financial aid. 

Prerequisites

Clinical Graduate Certificates must take the following prerequisite courses within the last 5 years or will need to be retaken prior to entering the concentration courses.

• N639 – Advanced Health/Physical Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
• N648 – Advanced Clinical Pharmacology
• N649 – Advanced Pathophysiology for Nursing Practice

Completing Courses at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Students who need to complete prerequisites are welcome to complete them at UT. To enroll in the perquisite courses, applicants must apply as a Non-Degree seeking student and be accepted. Prospective students will need to apply for the Certificate Program during a different cycle in order to complete the prerequisites. 

If you would like to take one of the prerequisite courses above, please reach out to [email protected] for more information about course availability.

Completing Courses Externally 

If the prerequisite courses were taken outside of UT, transcripts must be reviewed, and courses verified to ensure compliance with prerequisite requirements. Prospective students can send the syllabi of the courses to [email protected] to be reviewed.

On Site Visits

The clinical graduate certificates at the College of Nursing have mandatory clinical on-site sessions consisting of full-day experiences such as clinical labs or simulations.

On-site requirements provide opportunities for networking with peers, formative learning, and summative assessments of advanced clinical skills within the College of Nursing’s high-fidelity simulation center. These days cannot be missed, made up, or substituted with other types of assignments.

Intensives

Intensive requirements provide opportunities for networking with peers, formative learning, and summative assessments of advanced clinical skills within the College of Nursing’s high-fidelity simulation center. These days cannot be missed, made up, or substituted with other types of assignments.

Clinical Practicum

Beginning Spring 2026 students will complete a minimum of 840 hours of direct patient care clinical hours. 

Identification of clinical sites and preceptors involves a collaboration between the student and college faculty and staff. Students are encouraged to identify potential clinical sites and preceptors. Concentration Coordinators have ultimate approval of all clinical placements. Students desiring to complete clinical rotations outside the state of Tennessee must be familiar with their state Board of Nursing requirements for graduate clinical placements. Questions should be directed to the assistant dean of graduate programs.

Residence and Licensure

Special note for prospective students with residence and licensure outside of Tennessee. Graduate students may only complete clinical hours in the state of their official residence and licensure. Students wishing to complete clinical hours in a state other than Tennessee are responsible for ensuring the University of Tennessee, Knoxville College of Nursing has a state authorization with the Board of Nursing in their state of residence. Additionally, Students who reside outside of Tennessee and plan to complete clinical hours in a state other than Tennessee, will need to take additional steps to comply with the requirements of that state.

Contact Us

Should you have any questions about the application process or how our blended curriculum works, we’re here to support you every step of the way. We offer information sessions and cover frequently asked questions to ensure you learn everything you need to know about advancing your nursing career! 

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