- 1 In-State School, Online format, plus 2 online options compared
Nevada has one Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) program, at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). It offers Acute Care only and is delivered Online, with no campus visits stated.
Because Nevada has only one program, this guide adds two online programs, Maryville University and Rasmussen University, to every comparison table below.
| School | Tracks | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNR (Reno, NV) | Acute Care | Online | None stated | $718.25 (incl. $335 nursing fee) | BSN-to-MSN, BSN-to-DNP, Post-Master’s Certificate | Nurses headed for hospital pediatrics who want the school to secure PICU and pediatric ED placements |
| Maryville (online) | Primary Care | Online | None | $900 (master’s); $995 (doctoral) | BSN-to-MSN, BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, Post-Master’s Certificate | Experienced RNs who want Primary Care, an MSN-entry DNP, or a start date soon |
| Rasmussen (online) | Primary Care | Mostly Online | One weekend before practicums | $295 core, $925 specialization (MSN); $475 (certificate); per quarter credit | BSN-to-MSN, Post-Graduate Certificate | Working nurses who want self-paced coursework and help finding a preceptor |
Nevada eligibility: Maryville’s June 2026 licensure grids list Nevada as meeting educational requirements for its PNP MSN, BSN-to-DNP, DNP, and certificate. Rasmussen’s 2026–2027 catalog lists Nevada as meeting requirements for its nurse practitioner MSN and post-graduate certificate.
Nevada PNP Programs at a Glance
- Schools: 1 in-state (UNR), plus 2 online options compared (Maryville, Rasmussen)
- Primary Care: Online only, through Maryville and Rasmussen
- Acute Care: Yes, in-state at UNR; neither online option offers it
- MSN: BSN entry in-state at UNR; BSN entry also online at Maryville and Rasmussen
- DNP: BSN-to-DNP in-state at UNR; MSN-to-DNP online only (Maryville)
- Certificate: Acute Care in-state at UNR; Primary Care online at Maryville and Rasmussen
- Format: UNR and Maryville are Online; Rasmussen is Mostly Online with one campus weekend
- Lowest published in-state tuition: $11K (Acute Care certificate); $32K for the MSN
Choosing a PNP Program in Nevada
School-Secured Acute Care Placements: UNR
UNR fits nurses committed to inpatient and critical care pediatrics. The school secures every specialty placement, including PICU and pediatric ED rotations; only the DNP residency is self-placed. Its 780 MSN clinical hours sit above the typical range. The trade-offs: no Primary Care track, a fall-only MSN with a March 1 deadline, and a graduate statistics course required before enrollment.
Primary Care With Six Starts a Year: Maryville
Maryville fills Nevada’s Primary Care gap and adds an MSN-entry DNP, which UNR lacks. Every pathway is fully online, admits six times a year, and requires no GRE. The trade-offs: one year of RN experience is required, students arrange their own preceptors, and Maryville does not publish a clinical hour total. A $775 per-semester technology fee is not included in tuition.
Self-Paced Primary Care With Placement Help: Rasmussen
Rasmussen suits nurses working shifts. Competency-based courses carry no weekly deadlines, and a practicum coordinator helps locate and secure local sites. The trade-offs: one required campus weekend before practicums, only two pediatric starts a year (January and July), no DNP, and no published clinical hour total.
Nevada BSN-to-MSN PNP Programs
UNR offers Nevada’s only in-state BSN-to-MSN PNP pathway, an Acute Care track. It also admits ADN-prepared nurses who hold a bachelor’s degree in another field plus two years of experience. Maryville and Rasmussen add online Primary Care MSN options for BSN-prepared nurses.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNR (Reno, NV) | Acute Care | $32K (incl. nursing fee) | 2 yrs full-time; 3 yrs part-time | 780 |
| Maryville (online) | Primary Care | $42K (tuition only) | 20 mos full-time; 28–32 mos part-time | Not clearly stated |
| Rasmussen (online) | Primary Care | $52K (incl. fees) | 27 mos full-time | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: UNR, at about $32K with the nursing fee included.
- Only Acute Care option: UNR is the only MSN here leading to CPNP-AC eligibility.
- Experience requirement: Maryville requires one year of RN experience; UNR and Rasmussen publish none for BSN entry.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-MSN PNP programs
Nevada BSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
UNR offers Nevada’s only in-state BSN-to-DNP PNP pathway, again Acute Care only. Its plan runs the doctoral core first and concentrates specialty clinical work in years two and three. Maryville offers an online Primary Care BSN-to-DNP that awards the DNP only, not an MSN along the way. Rasmussen has no DNP.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNR (Reno, NV) | Acute Care | $51K (incl. nursing fee) | 3 yrs full-time, year-round | 1,000 (incl. residency) |
| Maryville (online) | Primary Care | $70K (tuition only) | 40 mos | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: UNR, at about $51K, roughly $19K below Maryville.
- Shortest completion: UNR, at about 3 years versus Maryville’s 40 months.
Compare more programs: See all BSN-to-DNP PNP programs
Nevada MSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
No Nevada program offers an MSN-to-DNP PNP pathway. Maryville’s online DNP-NP is the option here. It admits MSN-prepared nurses without APRN certification and repeats the NP core, so a non-NP master’s degree qualifies. Neither UNR nor Rasmussen offers this entry point.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryville (online) | Primary Care | $64K (tuition only) | 36 mos | Not clearly stated |
- Experience requirement: One year of professional RN experience and a 3.25 GPA.
Compare more programs: See all MSN-to-DNP PNP programs
Nevada Post-Master’s Certificate PNP Programs
UNR offers Nevada’s only in-state Post-Master’s Certificate, adding the pediatric acute care population for nurses who completed the three Ps in an accredited NP program. Clinical hours are set by gap analysis. Maryville and Rasmussen offer online Primary Care certificates open to MSN-prepared nurses.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNR (Reno, NV) | Acute Care | $11K (incl. nursing fee) | 1 yr | 500–780 (individualized) |
| Maryville (online) | Primary Care | $32K (tuition only) | 24 mos part-time | Not clearly stated |
| Rasmussen (online) | Primary Care | $30K (incl. fees) | 21 mos full-time | Not clearly stated |
- Lowest estimated tuition: UNR, at about $11K, though certificate-only students are not eligible for federal financial aid.
- Shortest completion: UNR’s two-semester sample plan, which prior coursework review may extend.
- Campus requirement: Rasmussen requires one on-campus weekend before practicums begin.
Compare more programs: See all Post-Master’s Certificate PNP programs
Other Online PNP Programs for Nevada Nurses
Maryville University and Rasmussen University are the only online PNP programs we have confirmed enroll Nevada residents, and both are compared above. Walden University does not approve PNP practicums in Nevada. If you’re considering another online program, confirm Nevada eligibility with the school before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many PNP programs are available in Nevada?
One. UNR’s Orvis School of Nursing offers three Acute Care pathways: MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate. Maryville and Rasmussen also enroll Nevada residents online.
Does Nevada offer an Acute Care PNP program?
Yes. All three UNR pathways lead to CPNP-AC eligibility through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. UNR does not prepare graduates for CPNP-PC, so Nevada nurses seeking Primary Care must study online.
Are any programs fully online?
UNR lists no campus visits, and Maryville requires none for any pathway. Rasmussen requires one on-campus weekend before practicums, and its host campus is not published. Clinical rotations are in person at all three schools.
Which program has the lowest estimated tuition?
In-state, UNR’s certificate is lowest at about $11K, and its MSN runs about $32K. Online, Rasmussen’s certificate is about $30K, and Maryville’s MSN is about $42K.
Which schools offer a DNP?
UNR offers an Acute Care BSN-to-DNP for about $51K. Maryville offers Primary Care DNPs from BSN entry (about $70K) and MSN entry (about $64K). Rasmussen offers no DNP.
Can students complete clinicals locally?
UNR secures all specialty placements except the DNP residency. Maryville students complete clinicals locally and arrange their own sites. Rasmussen students train in their own community with coordinator help, and need an RN license issued by the state where clinical hours are completed.
Can I become a PNP in Nevada without a BSN?
Only through UNR’s alternative MSN entry, which requires an ADN, a bachelor’s degree in another field, and two years of nursing experience. Maryville and Rasmussen both require a BSN for master’s entry.