Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist

Faculty Coordinator:

Linda Lindeke, Ph.D., RN
612-626-1133 or linde001@umn.edu

Specialty Area Information:

Students who pursue a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (PCNS) specialty area take core courses in nursing theory, moral/ethical issues, and research. They acquire skills in health assessment, intervention and evaluation. They examine the care of children and families with special health care needs. They focus on planning and implementing programs to improve quality of care for children with chronic and complex illnesses. As the population of children with special health care needs continues to increase, there is likely to be a greater demand for clinical experts and leaders in pediatric nursing. The PCNS area of study is supported by the Center for Children with Special Health Care Needs.

PCNS coursework includes approximated 500-600 hours of supervised clinical experience. Efforts are made to provide students with clinical settings within their geographical area. Clinical courses are directed by certified faculty and supervised by clinical nurse specialist preceptors. The PCNS area of study can be completed in a two-year (full time) or three-year (part time) sequence.

PCNSs work in collaboration with health care teams in a variety of settings to facilitate quality care for children across the continuum of care settings. PCNSs function as clinical experts in the planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care standards. They provide direct care, oversee staff, patient and family education, participate in clinical research, and develop programs specific to the needs of children.

Completion of required PCNS coursework and clinical experience provides eligibility to sit for PCNS examinations.

Combined specialty options include:

• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (minor)
• Certificate in Disability Policy and Services
• Public Health Dual Degree
• Adolescent Nursing
• Oncology Nursing
• Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist

Courses in the Curriculum:

Sample curriculum for full-time student

• Advanced Nursing Care of Children with Acute Illness for PCNSs
• Advanced Physiology
• Assessment & Intervention Models in Families of CSHCN
• Contemporary Services for Persons with Disabilities
• DNP Proseminar
• DNP Seminars 1, 2, & 3
• Economics of Health Care
• Epidemiology
• Evidence Based practice
• Family Health Theory
• Health Care for Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs Practicum
• Health Care for Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs
• Health Care Leadership for a Changing World
• Health Policy Leadership
• Holistic Health Assessment
• Interdisciplinary Healthcare Informatics
• Moral & Ethical Positions in Nursing
• Nursing Research
• Pharmacology
• Pharmacotherapeutics
• Primary Care Practicum: Health Assessment & Care of Well Children
• Primary Care: Common Acute Health Conditions Affecting Children
• Primary Care: Health Assessment & Care of Well Children
• Program Evaluation
• Science of Nursing Intervention
• Statistics
• Teaching & Learning in Nursing

For more information, please contact the Office of Student & Career Advancement Services.