Pediatric Neurology Nurse Practicioner

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Neurology, Public Health Education.

I am interested in pediatric neurology but I don't know how one actually becomes a pediatric neurology nurse practitioner beyond getting a masters/doctorate. Does anyone have any information about this process?

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

I did a clinical rotation in pediatric neurology as part of my PNP program. There is no specific master's or concentration in pediatric neurology. You go for a pediatric nurse practitioner and try to arrange a clinical rotation in a peds neurology clinic. Let your preceptor know you have a strong intrest in neurology and keep in touch throughout the program. Ask to be introcduced to other peds neuro NPs or neurologists. Attend conferences, read journals, etc. Depending on your program requirements you can also try to do an independent study or capstone project in pediatric neurology. When you graduate with your master's there may or may not be jobs available in peds neuro. But if you get into a hospital system as a nurse practitioner in their outpatient clinics it may be easier to transfer later into neurology if there's an opening. Or you may decide that whatever job you're already doing is a good fit and stick with that. I know that my ideas of what I wanted to do with my career have evolved depending on my clinical rotations and the job openings available.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Neurology, Public Health Education.

Thank you so much for the information, it was very helpful.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.

Be aware there are 2 ways to get Ped NP...primary and acute. If you want to be in the hospital setting you will want to considered the acute. I'm in a primary program right now that might be offering acute soon. If acute is offered before I graduate i'll do a little extra and do both. So just one more thing to consider.

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Specializes in PICU.
Be aware there are 2 ways to get Ped NP...primary and acute. If you want to be in the hospital setting you will want to considered the acute. I'm in a primary program right now that might be offering acute soon. If acute is offered before I graduate i'll do a little extra and do both. So just one more thing to consider.

Yes, exactly. I think many children's hospitals are requiring peds acute care NP certification now. I Agree with the other suggestions on specializing in neuro.

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