Health Professions And Related ProgramsSpecialization of Registered Nursing

Best institutions to study Pediatric Nurse/Nursing

CIP 51.3809

A program that prepares registered nurses to provide care for children from infancy through adolescence.

36 U.S. institutions graduated 389 Pediatric Nurse/Nursing students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3809, a specialization of Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38), and leads most directly to the Registered Nurses occupation (BLS SOC 29-1141).

Institutions
36
offering CIP 51.3809
States offered
18
with graduates reported
Graduates / yr
389
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Women
96%
share of graduates
US median pay · Registered Nurses
$97,550
BLS OEWS May 2025
Share of Registered Nursing
0.1%
of all Registered Nursing graduates

About Pediatric Nurse/Nursing programs

Official NCES definition · CIP 51.3809
A program that prepares registered nurses to provide care for children from infancy through adolescence. Includes instruction in the administration of medication and treatments, assisting physicians, patient examination and referral, and planning and delivering health maintenance and health education programs.
Also offered asPediatric Nurse Practitioner

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).

The Pediatric Nurse/Nursing program prepares registered nurses to deliver specialized care to children from infancy through adolescence. This program focuses on essential nursing skills tailored to the unique health needs of younger patients, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to provide high-quality care in various settings such as hospitals and schools.

Learn more about Pediatric Nurse/Nursing →

What you'll learn

Students in this program will develop critical skills in areas such as medication administration, patient examination, and health education. Coursework emphasizes knowledge in psychology, medicine, and customer service, along with practical tasks like monitoring patient conditions and maintaining accurate records.

Credentials awarded

What Pediatric Nurse/Nursing graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).

  • Master's degree307 graduates / yr · 20 institutions
    79%
  • Post-master's certificate49 graduates / yr · 12 institutions
    13%
  • Doctor's degree - professional practice17 graduates / yr · 8 institutions
    4.4%
  • Doctor's degree - research/scholarship12 graduates / yr · 4 institutions
    3.1%
  • Postbaccalaureate certificate4 graduates / yr · 2 institutions
    1.0%

Graduates over time

Pediatric Nurse/Nursing completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.

389graduates in 2025
+39% since 2012
550 · 202120122025280389
Graduates per year (IPEDS completions)
YearGraduates
2012280
2013298
2014323
2015352
2016369
2017444
2018479
2019521
2020517
2021550
2022538
2023506
2024440
2025389

Top 36 institutions for Pediatric Nurse/Nursing, ranked by graduates

Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.

#InstitutionGraduates / yrGrad rateNet priceField earnings* (1 yr)
1Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's
6594%$14,854—
2Maryville University of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's
4266%$24,921$69,116
3Duke University
Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral (prof.)
3797%$16,260$77,288
4Emory University
Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
3491%$20,586$79,073
5University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
3497%$22,055$80,943
6New York University
New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
2188%$29,023$111,360
7Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NYPublicMaster's
1876%—$94,853
8MGH Institute of Health Professions
Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
14——$81,868
9University of Rochester
Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral (prof.)
1285%$25,874$75,093
10Indiana University - Indianapolis
Indianapolis, INPublicMaster'sMaster's
1154%—$68,136
11University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
Cincinnati, OHPublicDoctoral (prof.)Master's
1175%—$71,105
12Wayne State University
Detroit, MIPublicMaster'sDoctoral (prof.)
858%—$74,793
13Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
769%$27,376$91,908
14University of Iowa
Iowa City, IAPublicDoctoral
675%—$69,368
15Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
680%$24,886$70,226
16Florida International University
Miami, FLPublicMaster's
574%—$78,671
17Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
564%$19,806$77,680
18University of Missouri - Kansas City
Kansas City, MOPublicMaster's
555%—$71,150
19Molloy University
Rockville Centre, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral
570%$25,812$105,747
20Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, ORPublicDoctoral (prof.)
5——$92,371
21King University
Bristol, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
548%$23,546$68,012
22University of Louisville
Louisville, KYPublicMaster's
461%—$69,027
23Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
487%$27,976$69,389
24Cedarville University
Cedarville, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
473%$22,701$69,047
25Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral
3——$98,610
26University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, MOPublicMaster's
357%—$66,972
27The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Knoxville, TNPublicPost-degree cert.
374%—$65,298
28Rutgers University - New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJPublicDoctoral
284%—$87,594
29Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
257%$25,843$82,372
30Marquette University
Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
283%$25,376$74,574
31Walden University
Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster's
1——$88,877
32University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NYPublicDoctoral (prof.)
175%—$78,621
33Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, NYPublicDoctoral (prof.)
1——$77,319
34University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PAPublicPost-degree cert.
185%—$72,251
35Alverno College
Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
149%$17,221$72,005
36University of Massachusetts Global
Aliso Viejo, CAPublicDoctoral (prof.)
143%——

* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Registered Nursing field (CIP 51.38) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.

Offered in 18 states

Where Pediatric Nurse/Nursing graduates come from. Each state links to all Registered Nursing programs offered there.

Careers & outlook

The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1141, Registered Nurses, and its national outlook.

Graduates of the Pediatric Nurse/Nursing program can pursue careers as Registered Nurses or Nurse Practitioners, among other roles. The job outlook for nursing is promising, with a growth rate of 4.9% and approximately 189,100 annual openings. The median wage for registered nurses is $93,600, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+4.9%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~189,100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$93,600
typically Bachelor's degree
National employment
3,379,720
Registered Nurses
US average pay
$101,420
annual, BLS OEWS May 2025
US median pay
$97,550
annual

Top-paying metros

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$194,950avg
Vallejo, CA
$182,820avg
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$176,900avg
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
$170,000avg
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
$164,200avg

Career pathways for CIP 51.3809

The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.

OccupationUS median payGrowthOpenings / yrTypical entry education
Registered Nursesprimary
SOC 29-1141
$97,550+4.9%
About as fast as average
~189,100Bachelor's degree
Nurse Practitioners
SOC 29-1171
$132,300+40.1%
Much faster than average
~29,500Master's degree
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC 25-1072
$80,250+16.8%
Much faster than average
~8,600Doctoral or professional degree
Preparation needed

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Education
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Training
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Related careers

Registered Nurses
$101,420 avg · 3,379,720 jobs
Nurse Practitioners
$137,300 avg · 323,040 jobs
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
$86,410 avg · 77,960 jobs

Skills & knowledge in Pediatric Nurse/Nursing programs

From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.

Skills you'll build

Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Monitoring
Writing
Active Learning
Learning Strategies

Knowledge areas

Psychology
Customer and Personal Service
Medicine and Dentistry
English Language
Administrative
Mathematics

Abilities that matter most

Problem Sensitivity
Deductive Reasoning
Oral Expression
Oral Comprehension
Written Comprehension
Inductive Reasoning

Day-to-day work activities

Assisting and Caring for Others
Documenting/Recording Information
Getting Information
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

What graduates do on the job

  • Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
  • Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
  • Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
  • Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
  • Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
  • Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.

Tools and technology used

Allscripts healthcare automation softwareAllscripts SunriseApache SparkData entry softwareDatabase softwareDiagnostic and procedural coding softwareDoctorsPartner EMRDrug guide software

Other Registered Nursing specializations

The 22 other 6-digit CIP codes under Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38).

See all Registered Nursing programs →

Common questions

What is the focus of the Pediatric Nurse/Nursing program?+

The program focuses on preparing registered nurses to care for children from infancy through adolescence.

What kind of degree can I earn in this program?+

Students can earn a Master's degree, Post-master's certificate, or a Doctor's degree in professional practice.

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, patient monitoring, and effective communication.

What is the job outlook for pediatric nursing?+

The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 4.9% growth and 189,100 annual openings.

What is the CIP code for Pediatric Nurse/Nursing?+

Pediatric Nurse/Nursing is CIP 51.3809 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Registered Nursing (CIP 51.38). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares registered nurses to provide care for children from infancy through adolescence. Includes instruction in the administration of medication and treatments, assisting physicians, patient examination and referral, and planning and delivering health maintenance and health education programs.

How many institutions offer Pediatric Nurse/Nursing programs?+

36 U.S. institutions reported Pediatric Nurse/Nursing graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 18 states, awarding 389 credentials in the year. That is 0.1% of all Registered Nursing graduates.

How much do Pediatric Nurse/Nursing graduates earn?+

Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Registered Nurses occupation, which Pediatric Nurse/Nursing most directly leads to, pays a median of $97,550 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Registered Nursing field report median earnings of $77,288 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.

Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

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