By Sara Hearne, CRNP

A Pediatric Nurse Practitioner is an advanced practice nurse with a master’s or doctoral degree who provides high quality health care services in the Pediatric setting.  The PNP role was originally developed in the mid-1960’s to provide cost-efficient and accessible pediatric primary care in rural areas.  The basis of the PNP role was built on the knowledge and skills of the public health nurse.

The first Pediatric Nurse Practitioners were educated at the University of Colorado.  There are approximately 70,000 PNPs currently licensed in the United States.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners work in collaboration with physicians.  A PNP has advanced education in pediatric health care—focusing on health promotion, disease prevention, health education and counseling.  A PNP offers a variety of health care services—including health maintenance for children of all ages, well child exams, routine developmental screening, diagnosis and treatment of common childhood illnesses, anticipatory guidance, school and driver exam physicals, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, prescribing medications and offering patient education.

A PNP can function in a variety of clinical settings, such as primary care offices, hospitals, surgical centers and specialty clinics.  Providing education and support to patients and their families regarding normal growth and development issues that arise during childhood is a large part of the PNP role.  Nurse practitioners are governed by the Nurse Practice Acts of the state in which they are licensed.