Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner MSN

Provide outstanding care for young patients with your pediatric primary care nurse practitioner MSN degree.

The Duke University School of Nursing Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program positions you as a leader in clinical practice, health equity and pediatric advocacy. The program develops nurse practitioners (NPs) to provide family-centered, equitable care for pediatric patients across the pediatric lifespan and developmental stages (newborn to age 25 years). Starting in 2025, graduates will also be prepared for dual certification in pediatric mental health.

Primary care pediatric NPs promote health and well-being and manage common acute and chronic pediatric physical, behavioral and mental health conditions across a variety of clinical settings. To prepare you for this, our program builds a foundation on evidence-based practice to provide the highest-quality and most scientifically grounded health care to pediatric patients and their families.

Our primary care pediatrics NP program offers a strong focus on health equity and the social, cultural, societal and environmental factors that influence the health and wellness of children and adolescents. You will also focus on developing your technical skills in a nationally certified simulation lab using emerging technologies.

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A Duke University School of Nursing Pediatric Primary Care student smiles while wearing blue scrubs and holding a toddler boy in MSN clinicals.

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Preparing pediatric nurses to provide comprehensive primary health care to children of all ages. Receive one-on-one clinical practice experience in diverse settings such as pediatric primary care clinics, pediatric community practices, school-based health clinics, health departments, and hospital ambulatory settings.

Pediatric Primary Care NP Post-Graduate Certificate

For students who already have a master’s from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited nursing school or in another approved discipline, we also offer a Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate. This program allows you to build on your expertise with specialized skills and knowledge, advancing your career potential.

Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner MSN Program Highlights

Earning your MSN in primary care pediatrics at Duke offers you a number of advantages, including:

Nursing Pediatric Primary Care students working in a clinic

Dual certification:
Starting in 2025, we will be on of the only programs in the country that prepares graduates for dual pediatric behavioral mental health specialty certification as part of the standard pediatric primary care NP program.

A Duke nursing student learning from a home environment sits in front of a laptop with a pencil in her hand and smiles.

Distance-based learning:
Our pediatric NP program is distance-based, with interactive online learning experiences, clinical placements near where you live and hands-on campus intensives. This flexibility allows you to continue working while pursuing your degree.

Nursing Students before class

Global clinical network:
Duke’s extensive footprint allows you to complete your clinicals near home through our network of more than 2,000 worldwide facilities and practices. You’ll work with our clinical placement team to facilitate this process and be placed in clinical settings that prepare you to be a pediatric expert.

A Duke University School of Nursing Pediatric Primary Care student is clapping with other students nearby in a large classroom setting.

Prioritizing your success:
We provide extensive instructional support and resources, including lifelike simulation experiences. Our MSN faculty are experts in distance-based education and are committed to advancing the role of nurse practitioners.

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Full-spectrum pediatric curriculum:
Our primary care pediatric curriculum emphasizes content areas such as:

  • Behavioral issues
  • Health maintenance
  • Management of common acute and chronic pediatric illnesses
  • Patient and family education
  • Prevention
A young female Duke MSN Pediatric Primary Care student smiling and sitting in a classroom.

What Can You Do With Your Primary Care Pediatrics NP MSN?

Nurse practitioners are in high demand, and our pediatric primary care NP MSN equips you to meet this exceptional need.

  • Pediatric primary care clinics
  • Community health centers
  • Schools and school-based health centers
  • Outpatient specialty clinics
  • Urgent care clinics
  • Homecare agencies

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects job opportunities for advanced practice registered nurses to grow up to 38% by 2032, making it one of the fastest-growing career fields in the country. While exact figures vary depending on location, experience, practice specialty and other factors, the BLS reports a median annual salary of $129,480 for APRNs, with the highest 10% earning more than $211,820

Explore More MSN Program Outcomes

American Association of Nurse Practitioners’ NP Fact Sheet

Meet Our MSN Faculty

Our internationally renowned AGACNP faculty foster a supportive learning environment that prioritizes your academic and professional success. They bring their real-world experience as nurse practitioners into the classroom, equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in your field.

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Elaine D. Kauschinger, PhD, ARNP, FNP-BC
Elaine Kauschinger
PhD, ARNP, FNP-BC, FAANP
Assistant Professor
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Benjamin Smallheer, PhD, RN, ACNP‐BC, FNP-BC, CCRN, CNE
Benjamin Smallheer
PhD, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC, CCRN, CNE, FAANP
Associate Professor
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Ragan Johnson, DNP, MSN, APRN-BC
Ragan Johnson
DNP, FNP-BC, CNE, FAANP
Associate Professor
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Brandon Knettel
Brandon Knettel
PhD
Assistant Professor
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Ryan J. Shaw, PhD, RN
Ryan Shaw
PhD, RN, FAAN
Associate Professor
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Allison Stafford, PhD, RN
Allison Stafford
PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
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Valerie Sabol
PhD, MBA, ACNP, GNP, CHSE, CNE, ANEF, FAANP, FAAN
Professor
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Kathryn Trotter
DNP, CNM, FNP-C, CHSE, FAANP, FAAN
Associate Professor
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Maryellen Kelly, DNP, CPNP, MHSc
Maryellen Kelly
DNP, CPNP, MHSc
Assistant Professor
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Stephanie Ibemere
Stephanie Ibemere
PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
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Kais Gadhoumi, PhD
Kais Gadhoumi
PhD
Assistant Professor
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Desi Newberry
Desi Newberry
DNP, NNP-BC
Associate Professor
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Deirdre K. Thornlow, PhD, RN, CPHQ
Deirdre Thornlow
PhD, RN, CPHQ, CNE
Associate Professor
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Anne L. Derouin, DNP, RN, CPNP, FAANP
Anne Derouin
DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, PMHS, FAANP, ANEF
Professor
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Mary L. Affronti, DNP,  MHSc, RN, ANP, FAAN
Mary Lou Affronti
DNP, MHSc, RN, ANP, FAAN
Professor
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Michael E. Zychowicz, DNP, ANP, ONP, FAAN, FAANP
Michael Zychowicz
DNP, ANP, ONP, FAAN, FAANP, FNAON
Professor
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Staci Reynolds, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, CCRN, CNRN, SCRN
Staci Reynolds
PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, CCRN, CNRN, CPHQ, FAAN
Professor
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Lisa S. Lewis, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE
Lisa Lewis
EdD, MSN, RN, CNE
Associate Professor
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Michelle Webb, DNP, RN, CHPCA
Michelle Webb
DNP, RN, CHPCA
Assistant Professor
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Amie Koch, DNP, FNP-C, RN, ACHPN
Amie Koch
DNP, FNP-C, RN, ACHPN
Associate Professor
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Christina Leonard, APRN, DNP, FNP-C, CNL
Christina Leonard
APRN, DNP, FNP-C, CNL
Assistant Professor
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Blanca Iris Padilla, PhD, FNP-BC
Blanca Iris Padilla
PhD, MBA, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP
Associate Professor
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Thomas Blodgett, PhD, RN, AGACNP-BC
Thomas Blodgett
PhD, RN, AGACNP-BC
Assistant Professor
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Kathryn Kreider
Kathryn Kreider
DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP
Professor
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Mitchell Knisely
PhD, RN-BC, ACNS-BC, FAAN
Associate Professor
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Karin Reuter-Rice, PhD, CPNP-AC, FCCM, FAAN
Karin Reuter-Rice
PhD, CPNP-AC, FCCM, FAAN
Associate Professor
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Marissa Abram
Marissa Abram
PhD, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, FIAAN
Assistant Professor
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Devon Noonan, PhD, MPH, FNP-BC
Devon Noonan
PhD, MPH, FNP-BC, CARN
Associate Professor
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Tonia Poteat
Tonia Poteat
PhD, MPH, PA-C, AAHIVS, DFAAPA
Professor
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Michael Cary
Michael Cary
PhD, RN
Associate Professor
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Jacquelyn M McMillian-Bohler, PhD, MSN, BSN, CNM, CNE
Jacquelyn McMillian-Bohler
PhD, CNM, CNE
Assistant Professor
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Shari Rushton, DNP, MSN, MS, RN, CCM
Shari Rushton
DNP, MS, RN, CCM, CNE
Associate Professor
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Jennie De Gagne, PhD, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CNE, ANEF, FAAN
Jennie De Gagne
PhD, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CNE, ANEF, FAAN
Professor
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Margaret (Midge) T. Bowers, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, CHSE, A.A.C.C., FAANP, FAAN
Margaret (Midge) Bowers
DNP, FNP-BC,CHSE, FAANP, FAAN, FACC
Professor
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Alison Edie
Alison Edie
DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP
Associate Professor
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Debbie Travers
Debra (Debbie) Travers
PhD, MSN, RN, FAEN, FAMIA
Associate Consulting Professor
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AnnMarie L Walton, PhD, RN, MPH, OCN, CHES, FAAN
AnnMarie Walton
PhD, RN, MPH, OCN, CHES, FAAN
Term Chair for the Dorothy L. Powell Professorship, Associate Professor
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Sophia Smith
Sophia Smith
PhD, MSW, FAOSW
Associate Professor
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Margaret (Peggy) Bush, PhD, MBA, RPh
Margaret (Peggy) Bush
PhD, MBA, RPh
Professor
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Sean P Convoy, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Sean Convoy
DNP, PMHNP-BC
Associate Professor
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Schenita D. Randolph, PhD, MPH, RN, CNE
Schenita Randolph
PhD, MPH, RN
Associate Professor
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Cristina C. Hendrix, DNS, GNP-BC, FNP, FAAN
Cristina Hendrix
DNS, GNP-BC, FNP, FAAN
Associate Professor
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Marilyn H. Oermann, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN
Marilyn Oermann
PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN
Thelma M. Ingles Distinguished Professor of Nursing
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Rémi Hueckel
DNP, CPNP-AC, CHSE, FAANP
Associate Professor
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Jamie Lord
Jamison (Jamie) Lord
DNP, MSN, RNC, PMHNP-BC
Assistant Professor
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Kathleen Turner
DNP, RN
Associate Professor
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Malinda Teague
DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC/PC
Assistant Professor
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Kara McGee, DMS, MSPH, PA-C, AAHIVS
Kara McGee
DMS, MSPH, PA-C, AAHIVS
Associate Professor
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Tara Albrecht, PhD, ACNP-BC, ACHPN, RN
Tara Albrecht
PhD, ACNP-BC, ACHPN, RN
Associate Professor
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Carolina (Callie) Tennyson, DNP, ACNP-BC, AACC
Carolina Tennyson
DNP, ACNP-BC, AACC
Assistant Professor

The Duke Difference

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MSN Admissions

The MSN program employs a holistic admissions strategy. We consider each candidate’s unique life experiences alongside their academic performance, grades and test scores. This ensures that our nurse practitioner students represent the diversity of patients you will care for in your career.

If you need additional assistance, contact our admissions team by email or phone: 877-415-3853.


We offer DROP-iN Chat for virtual Q+A Sessions along with PROGRAM INFORMATION SESSIONS for application help.

Student Testimonials

Student Testimonials

Financial Aid and Scholarships for MSN Students

As part of our mission to meet the needs of nurse practitioners nationwide, Duke School of Nursing offers a variety of financial aid options for MSN students. These include merit- and need-based scholarships up to full tuition for select MSN students. There are also federal student loan options to fully fund your MSN degree.

Learn More About Financial Aid & Scholarships
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