Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Pediatrics with Acute Care Focus (Pediatric Nurse Practitioner or PNP-AC)

• The focus for the PNP-AC is providing family-centered care for hospitalized pediatric patients up to the age of 21 years with chronic, acute, or critical illnesses. The focus of care includes complex monitoring and ongoing management of intensive therapies.

• You will be prepared to be to take the PACNP National Certification Exam through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.

How to Apply

• Submit online application to the Graduate School.

• GRE scores and letters of recommendation are not required.

• All applicants must first meet the Graduate School admission requirements. The Graduate School evaluates your application and transcripts; then, forwards the application to the School of Nursing. There is only one UTEP Graduate application process.

• Upon completion of the application via the Graduate School , it will be reviewed by the major/concentration program director. Due to the limited number of students we are able to accept, only qualified applicants will be invited to a personal interview (face-to-face or telephone). Following the interview, the admission recommendation will be relayed to the Graduate School. The applicant will be notified of his or her admission status by the Graduate School and a personalized degree plan will be provided by the School of Nursing, along with an acceptance letter which the applicant must sign and return.

Admissions Requirements

• Hold valid, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license from the state of current practice.

• A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or equivalent education at a foreign institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0

• Satisfactory score on TOEFL as defined by the Graduate School for international applicants whose first language is not English or who have not completed a university degree in the United States.

• NP applicants must have current direct patient care experience.

• Relevant clinical experience (One to two years pediatric critical care experience).

Degree Plan

Roberta Durk DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC

Clinical Assistant Professor
Director/Advisor: Pediatric NP-Acute Care/Pediatric NP-Primary Care
915-747-7285, Rm. 316
radurk@utep.edu

Karim Singh DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Clinical Assistant Professor
Coordinator Nurse Practitioner Programs
915-747-5315, Rm. 376
kcsingh2@utep.edu

Alejandra Valenzuela. DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC/PC

Clinical Assistant Professor
Coordinator/Advisor: Pediatric NP-Acute Care
915-747-7293, Rm. 340
abvalenzuela@utep.edu

Program Features:

• Flexibility for working professionals ( Didactic courses in seven week format )
  
• 46-49 credit hour online program over two calendar years
• 675-775 clinical clock hours
• Innovative simulation lab experiences incorporated
• Two admission cycle per year (Fall and Spring)
  
• Curriculum aligned with the:
  • Essentials of Master's Education in Nursing (AACN, 2011)
  • Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification & Education (2008)
    
  • National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) (2016)
    

  Program Information:

• There is a Nurse Practitioner major fee ( Tuition/Fees )
• During specialty courses, usually the last three semesters, NP students:
  • May be asked to come to campus a maximum of three times per semester
  • Will participate in formative evaluations using innovative simulation lab experiences
    
• May be required to travel 200 miles or more to fulfill appropriate clinical requirements