Nevada has one in-state Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program: the University of Nevada, Reno (Orvis School of Nursing). The program is Acute Care only, preparing graduates for the CPNP-AC exam; no in-state Primary Care PNP track is available. All three degree pathways run through the same acute care specialty sequence: MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate.
Coursework is delivered online with no campus visits stated. Estimated in-state tuition ranges from roughly $11K for the certificate to about $51K for the BSN-to-DNP, with completion times of 1 to 3 years depending on pathway and pacing.
Because Nevada has a single program, most in-state applicants can complete their PNP education without leaving the state, provided acute care is the intended scope. The program’s strongest feature is that the school secures every specialty clinical placement, including PICU and pediatric ED rotations.
Nevada PNP Programs at a Glance
- Number of schools: 1
- Primary Care available: No
- Acute Care available: Yes
- MSN available: Yes
- DNP available: Yes (BSN-to-DNP)
- Post-Master’s Certificate available: Yes
- Delivery: Online
- Lowest published tuition: ~$11K (Post-Master’s Certificate)
| School | Tracks | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
| University of Nevada, Reno | Acute Care | Online | No campus visits stated | $718.25 CPC | MSN, BSN-to-DNP, Certificate | Nurses targeting hospital-based pediatrics who want school-secured PICU and pediatric ED placements |
Choosing a PNP Program in Nevada
Who the Nevada Program Fits Best
This program suits RNs committed to inpatient and critical care pediatrics. Every track leads to CPNP-AC eligibility, and the specialty sequence emphasizes acute and chronic illness management in acute care settings, critical care practice, and acute care prescribing. The school secures all specialty clinical placements, which removes the single largest scheduling risk in acute care NP education.
Who Should Compare National Online Programs
Nurses who want pediatric primary care, school health, or well-child practice will not find an in-state option; the CPNP-AC credential does not cover that scope. Applicants in that position should evaluate national online Primary Care PNP programs. The same applies to anyone who needs a start date outside the fall-only MSN cycle or wants a dual Primary Care/Acute Care option.
Timing and Prerequisite Considerations
MSN admission is fall-only with a March 1 deadline. The DNP and certificate add an October 1 spring deadline. A graduate-level applied statistics course must be completed before enrollment in the MSN and DNP, so applicants missing that prerequisite may lose a full cycle. Certificate-only students are not eligible for federal financial aid.
Nevada BSN-to-MSN PNP Programs
Nevada offers one BSN-to-MSN PNP option, an Acute Care track at the University of Nevada, Reno. The program admits BSN holders and, through an alternative pathway, ADN-prepared nurses holding a bachelor’s degree in another field plus two years of experience.
With only one in-state option, applicants should also review national BSN-to-MSN PNP programs.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| University of Nevada, Reno | Acute Care | ~$32K | 2 yrs full-time; 3 yrs part-time | 780 |
- Only Acute Care option: No in-state MSN pathway leads to CPNP-PC eligibility.
- Clinical hours above the certification floor: 780 hours exceed the 500-hour PNCB minimum.
- Credit total flagged: The catalog lists 44–46 credits, but published semester loads sum higher.
Nevada BSN-to-DNP PNP Programs
One BSN-to-DNP PNP program operates in Nevada, again Acute Care only. The doctoral pathway runs the DNP core through the first year and a half, concentrating specialty clinical work in years two and three.
Applicants comparing doctoral options more broadly should also review national BSN-to-DNP PNP programs.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| University of Nevada, Reno | Acute Care | ~$51K | 3 yrs full-time, year-round | 1,000 hrs |
- Highest in-state tuition: The DNP is the most expensive Nevada PNP pathway at roughly $51K.
- Partial placement support: The school secures specialty placements; the DNP residency is student-arranged.
Nevada Post-Master’s Certificate PNP Programs
Nevada’s single Post-Master’s Certificate adds the pediatric acute care population for nurses who already completed the three Ps within an accredited NP program. Clinical hours are individualized through gap analysis.
Because only one in-state option exists, applicants should also compare national Post-Master’s Certificate PNP programs.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| University of Nevada, Reno | Acute Care | ~$11K | 1 yr | 500–780 (individualized) |
- Lowest estimated tuition: At roughly $11K and 15 credits, the certificate is the least expensive Nevada pathway.
- Shortest completion: A two-semester sample plan, though prior coursework review may extend it.
- Financial aid limitation: Certificate-only students are not eligible for federal financial aid.
More Online PNP Programs for Nevada Nurses
Applicants who want a Primary Care PNP credential, more frequent start dates, or part-time pacing outside the fall-only MSN cycle should compare national online programs alongside this one.
Maryville University PNP Programs
St. Louis | $900 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / MSN to DNP / BSN to MSN / DNP
Maryville University provides 100% online PNP degree and certificate options for Nevada nurses across MSN, BSN-to-DNP, DNP-NP, and Post-Master’s Certificate tracks with six start dates per year. Designed with no GRE requirement and self-arranged local clinical placement flexibility, the programs require 750 clinical hours focused on health promotion, well-child visits, and complex pediatric condition management. Billed at $900 to $995 per credit hour, Maryville equips Nevada graduates for strong national board certification pass rates while advancing their clinical expertise.
Purdue University PNP Programs
West Lafayette | $500 to $600 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / BSN to MSN
Purdue University’s School of Nursing invites registered nurses in Nevada to enroll in its distance-oriented MS, BSN-to-DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate Primary Care PNP tracks. Featuring affordable estimated tuition between $15,000 and $30,000, the hybrid format blends online coursework with 630 to 1,000+ supervised clinical hours spanning infant to young adult care. Nevada clinicians receive comprehensive instruction in advanced pharmacotherapeutics, health assessment, and quality improvement while completing required clinical preceptorships in approved local facilities.
Rasmussen University PNP Programs
Bloomington | $915 cpc | Certificate / BSN to MSN
Rasmussen University delivers MSN-NP and Post-Graduate Certificate options in Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PPCNP) practice through an online competency-based format accessible to Nevada healthcare workers. Combining self-paced study with four local community-based practicums and a required single on-campus weekend residency, the program allows Nevada nurses to advance their education without weekly deadline pressures. Spanning 21 to 27 months with total estimated costs ranging from $29,087 to $51,130, these CCNE-accredited tracks prepare graduates for pediatric board certification.
Walden University Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Minneapolis | $785 cpc | Certificate / BSN to DNP / BSN to MSN
Walden University offers online DNP, MSN, and Post-Master’s Certificate tracks in Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) practice for registered nurses residing in Nevada. Operating on a quarter-credit structure, the program integrates virtual skills labs, case-based reviews, and Practicum Pledge® assistance to support Nevada students with local field placement matching. With estimated tuition spanning from ~$35,690 for the certificate to ~$76,415 for the DNP, Nevada RNs can gain specialized clinical training in child growth, developmental milestones, and acute or chronic disease management.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many PNP programs are available in Nevada?
One. The University of Nevada, Reno’s Orvis School of Nursing offers three PNP pathways: MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate.
Does Nevada offer an Acute Care PNP program?
Yes. All three UNR pathways are Acute Care and lead to CPNP-AC exam eligibility through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.
Can I earn a Primary Care PNP credential in Nevada?
Not through an in-state program. UNR explicitly does not confer CPNP-PC eligibility. Nurses seeking primary care certification should compare national online PNP programs.
Are any Nevada PNP programs fully online?
UNR’s PNP programs are listed as online with no campus visits stated. Clinical rotations are completed in person at assigned pediatric acute care sites.
Which Nevada PNP program has the lowest estimated tuition?
The Post-Master’s Certificate at approximately $11K in-state for 15 credits. The MSN runs about $32K and the BSN-to-DNP about $51K.
Does any Nevada school offer a DNP?
Yes. UNR offers a BSN-to-DNP Acute Care PNP specialization, completed in about three years of full-time, year-round study.