Loma Linda University PNP Programs (Pediatric Nurse)

Loma Linda University (LLU) School of Nursing offers 2 Pediatric Nurse Practitioner tracks, both delivered as a BS to DNP program:

BS to DNP — Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PC-PNP)
BS to DNP — Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (ACPNP)

Both programs are delivered in LLU’s Hyperflex format — primarily online with up to one or two required campus sessions per quarter (typically at week 5), plus in-person requirements for clinical, lab, and simulation courses.

Program Tracks Overview

Program	Est. Tuition (4-Year Total)	Est. Duration
BS-DNP Primary Care PNP	~$117,468	~4 years
BS-DNP Acute Care PNP	~$117,468	~4 years

Key highlights include:

Hyperflex model: attend on-campus or remotely for most core courses
All clinical rotations assigned within Southern California (within 90 miles of Loma Linda) — no self-sourcing required
Full-time and part-time options available; program must be completed within 7 years

LLU’s Seventh-day Adventist mission integrates faith-based coursework with evidence-based clinical training, including required theology and ethics courses. Both programs prepare graduates for California state NP certification and national certification through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB). An MS-to-DNP pathway is available for nurses who already hold an MSN.

BS to DNP — Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

The estimated cost for the LLU BS to DNP Primary Care PNP program is approximately $117,468 in tuition and fees and would take approximately 3 years and 9 months to complete on a full-time basis (or 4 years on a less-than-full-time schedule across 15 academic quarters).

DNP Primary Care PNP Curriculum

The program totals 112 quarter units across four areas: a 49-unit DNP core, a 14-unit specialty concentration (including a skills lab), a 30-unit clinical block, and a 19-unit DNP Practice Inquiry Project. Three required theology and ethics courses are integrated into the core, reflecting LLU’s Seventh-day Adventist mission. Up to 12 core units may be taken as a nondegree student prior to formal acceptance, with a grade of B or higher required for those units to count toward the degree.

DNP Core (49 quarter units)

NGRD 650 – Advanced Role Development and Collaboration (4 u)
NGRD 651 – Theoretical Foundations for Evidence-Based Practice (4 u)
NGRD 652 – Health-Care Systems Leadership (4 u)
NGRD 653 – Health Systems Policy Development and Advocacy (4 u)
NGRD 654 – Social Determinants of Health (4 u) — fulfills service learning requirement
NGRD 655 – Health Systems Finance (4 u)
NGRD 656 – Outcomes Assessment for Strategic Planning (4 u)
NGRD 657 – Intermediate Statistics (4 u)
NGRD 658 – Nursing Research and Translational Science (4 u)
NGRD 659 – Professional Writing for Nurse Leaders (4 u)
RELE 564 – Ethics and Health Disparities (3 u)
RELR 525 – Health Care and the Dynamics of Christian Leadership (3 u)
RELT 557 – Theology of Human Suffering (3 u)

PNP Concentration (14 quarter units)

NGAC 501. Acute Care Advanced Pharmacology I
Introduces pharmacology principles used in acute care practice. Students study pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and major drug classes while examining therapeutic drug use for acute conditions. The course also reviews legal and ethical prescribing considerations for advanced practice nurses.

NGAC 502. Acute Care Advanced Pharmacology II
Expands pharmacology knowledge for medications commonly used in acute care settings. Students examine drug classifications, therapeutic applications, and medication management for acute conditions. The course also emphasizes safe patient transitions from acute care to primary care environments.

NGPE 539. Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner: Skills Laboratory
Provides hands-on training in clinical procedures used in pediatric primary care. Students practice common assessment and treatment skills used in ambulatory pediatric settings.

NGRD 624. Advanced Health Assessment
Develops advanced skills for conducting comprehensive health histories and physical examinations across the lifespan. The course emphasizes holistic care planning that incorporates cultural, developmental, and health promotion considerations.

NGRD 625. Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology
Examines normal physiological processes and common disease mechanisms across the lifespan. Students apply pathophysiology concepts to explain clinical symptoms and guide patient management.

Clinical Courses

NGPE 531. Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner I
Introduces primary care concepts for children from birth through age 21. Students study health promotion, developmental milestones, immunizations, and pediatric assessment while exploring the role of the pediatric nurse practitioner in primary care.

NGPE 532. Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner II
Builds on pediatric primary care knowledge by focusing on the diagnosis and management of common childhood illnesses. Students also study medication management, prescription writing, and the pediatric nurse practitioner’s role in community health.

NGAC 533. Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III
Prepares students to manage acute, chronic, and critical health conditions in infants, children, and adolescents. The course focuses on advanced clinical management of major pediatric health conditions across body systems.

NGAC 535. Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner V
Focuses on advanced pediatric acute care for complex and critical conditions. Students study management strategies for severe illness and end-of-life care in pediatric patients.

NGAC 536. Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner VI
Provides intensive clinical training in pediatric acute care settings. Students integrate advanced knowledge and clinical skills while working with experienced preceptors to prepare for national certification.

NGAC 540. Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Skills Lab
Develops clinical skills required for advanced practice in acute care environments. Students practice patient assessment, emergency management, care planning, and professional responsibilities related to acute care nursing.

DNP Practice Inquiry Project (19 quarter units)

NGRD 667 – Introduction to the DNP Inquiry Proposal Project (3 u — 20 theory hrs / 30 project hrs)
NGRD 669A through 669F – DNP Practice Inquiry Project (16 u total, distributed across semesters — 590 project hours total)

See the official curriculum page for more details.

DNP Primary Care PNP Clinicals

The Primary Care PNP program includes 570 hours of advanced practice clinical experience plus 510 DNP doctoral leadership practicum hours for a combined minimum of 1,080 clinical and project hours. All clinical placements are assigned by LLU within Southern California, within a 90-mile radius of Loma Linda — students do not need to self-identify sites.

570 hours: advanced practice clinical rotations across PNP clinical courses
510 hours: doctoral practicum hours completed through the DNP Practice Inquiry Project (NGRD 669A–F)
510 doctoral leadership practice hours must be documented in the required professional portfolio prior to graduation
Clinical rotations assigned within Southern California (within 90-mile radius of Loma Linda)
Clinical, lab, and simulation courses are hybrid — in-person sessions required; schedules provided in advance
DNP Project may be completed in the student’s workplace setting

DNP Primary Care PNP Admissions Requirements

Baccalaureate degree in nursing (or equivalent) from an accredited institution
Minimum GPA of 3.0, both cumulative and in nursing coursework
Current, unencumbered U.S. RN license at time of application; California RN license required before the start of classes and maintained throughout
Minimum one year of full-time RN experience required before matriculating into clinical courses
Current American Heart Association BLS (CPR) certification
PALS certification required before matriculation; must be maintained until program completion
Two electronic recommendations: one required from a recent nurse manager or director; second from a nursing peer or spiritual advisor
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions submitted directly to NursingCAS
Emotional Intelligence Interview (in-person or via Zoom) if granted by the Admissions Committee
Health clearance including immunizations; background check required
Application fee: $70 (NursingCAS) + $50 (secondary application)
Application deadlines: Fall — April 15 (quarter begins September); Winter — October 1 (quarter begins January)
MS-to-DNP option available for nurses with an existing MSN; unit waivers evaluated by program coordinator

BS to DNP — Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

The estimated cost for the LLU BS to DNP Acute Care PNP program is approximately $117,468 in tuition and fees and would take approximately 3 years and 9 months to complete on a full-time basis (or 4 years on a less-than-full-time schedule across 15 academic quarters). Must be completed within 7 years.

Elevated admissions requirements: The Acute Care PNP track carries additional requirements beyond the standard BS-to-DNP criteria, including a science GPA of 3.0 or higher, an Emotional Intelligence Screening process, and at least one year of full-time RN experience in an acute care setting within the past 3 years. Applicants who meet criteria are not guaranteed an interview.

DNP Acute Care PNP Curriculum

The program totals 116 quarter units across four areas: a 49-unit DNP core (identical to the Primary Care track), a 13-unit specialty concentration, a 35-unit clinical block, and a 19-unit DNP Practice Inquiry Project. The acute care concentration does not include the skills laboratory unit present in the primary care track. Three theology and ethics courses are integrated into the core as with all LLU DNP programs.

DNP Core (49 quarter units — identical to Primary Care PNP track)

NGRD 650 – Advanced Role Development and Collaboration (4 u)
NGRD 651 – Theoretical Foundations for Evidence-Based Practice (4 u)
NGRD 652 – Health-Care Systems Leadership (4 u)
NGRD 653 – Health Systems Policy Development and Advocacy (4 u)
NGRD 654 – Social Determinants of Health (4 u) — fulfills service learning requirement
NGRD 655 – Health Systems Finance (4 u)
NGRD 656 – Outcomes Assessment for Strategic Planning (4 u)
NGRD 657 – Intermediate Statistics (4 u)
NGRD 658 – Nursing Research and Translational Science (4 u)
NGRD 659 – Professional Writing for Nurse Leaders (4 u)
RELE 564 – Ethics and Health Disparities (3 u)
RELR 525 – Health Care and the Dynamics of Christian Leadership (3 u)
RELT 557 – Theology of Human Suffering (3 u)

ACPNP Concentration (13 quarter units)

NGAC 501 – Acute Care Advanced Pharmacology I (2 u)
NGAC 502 – Acute Care Advanced Pharmacology II (3 u)
NGRD 624 – Advanced Health Assessment (4 u) — requires 4–6 mandatory on-campus lab sessions per quarter
NGRD 625 – Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology (4 u)

Clinical Courses (35 quarter units)

NGAC 540 – Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Skills Lab (1 u — 30 clinical hrs)
NGAC 541 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP I (6 u — 30 theory hrs / 90 clinical hrs)
NGAC 542 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP II (6 u — 30 theory hrs / 90 clinical hrs)
NGAC 543 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP III (7 u — 30 theory hrs / 120 clinical hrs)
NGAC 544 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP IV (7 u — 30 theory hrs / 120 clinical hrs)
NGAC 545 – Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP V (8 u — 10 theory hrs / 210 clinical hrs)

DNP Practice Inquiry Project (19 quarter units — identical to Primary Care PNP track)

NGRD 667 – Introduction to the DNP Inquiry Proposal Project (3 u)
NGRD 669A through 669F – DNP Practice Inquiry Project (16 u total — 590 project hours)

See the official curriculum page for more details.

DNP Acute Care PNP Clinicals

The Acute Care PNP program includes 570 hours of advanced practice clinical experience and 510 DNP doctoral leadership practicum hours, totaling a minimum of 1,080 combined hours. All clinical placements are assigned by LLU within Southern California (90-mile radius of Loma Linda); students do not self-source sites.

570 hours: advanced practice clinical rotations in acute care pediatric settings — ICUs, EDs, hospitals, sub-specialty clinics
510 hours: DNP doctoral leadership practicum hours through NGRD 669A–F
510 doctoral leadership practice hours must be documented in professional portfolio prior to graduation
Clinical placements assigned within 90 miles of Loma Linda, CA — no self-identification required
Clinical, lab, and simulation courses are hybrid with required in-person sessions
DNP Project may be completed in the student’s workplace setting

DNP Acute Care PNP Admissions Requirements

Baccalaureate or master’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; Science GPA of 3.0 or higher (additional requirement vs. primary care track)
Current, unencumbered U.S. RN license; California RN license required before start of classes and maintained throughout
Minimum one year of full-time RN experience in an acute care setting within the past 3 years in a U.S. hospital — must include critical care decision-making skills, invasive monitoring, mechanical ventilation, and vasoactive infusions; Post-Anesthesia Care Units do not qualify
Current AHA BLS (CPR) and ACLS certifications required before admission; must be maintained throughout; PALS optional
Three strong letters of recommendation (on LLU form): spiritual advisor or pastor, immediate supervisor in current critical care setting, critical care/ICU coworker
Emotional Intelligence Screening required if interview is granted; participation in the Emotional Intelligence Program continues through graduation
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions submitted directly to NursingCAS
Health clearance including immunizations; background check required
Application fee: $70 (NursingCAS) + $50 (secondary application)
Application deadlines: Fall — April 15; Winter — October 1
Not all applicants who meet criteria are guaranteed an interview; competitive review by Admissions Committee

Tuition

LLU does not publish a flat per-quarter-unit rate for nursing programs. Tuition is presented as an annual total based on approximately 3 quarters per year at an average of 10 units (2 courses) per quarter.

Published AY 2026–2027 annual tuition and fees for the Primary Care PNP track are as follows: Year 1 (9 months): $23,092 — Year 2 (12 months): $28,112 — Year 3 (12 months): $32,128 — Year 4 (12 months): $34,136 — total ~$117,468.

Acute Care PNP annual figures are: Year 1: $23,092 — Year 2: $25,100 — Year 3: $32,128 — Year 4: $37,148 — total ~$117,468. Books, materials, and equipment allowances are estimated separately ($550–$2,915 per year depending on program year).

Tuition amounts are expected to increase annually. 70–75% of LLU nursing students receive financial aid.

More tuition details are available here.

Accreditation

Loma Linda University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The BS, MS, and DNP nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Both PNP programs prepare graduates for California state NP certification through the California Board of Registered Nursing and for national certification through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB).