MUSC College of Nursing launches South Carolina’s first Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program

CHARLESTON, S.C. (July 10, 2025)- The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) College of Nursing proudly announces the launch of its Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (ACPNP) program, set to begin in Fall 2026. This groundbreaking initiative will be the first program in South Carolina to prepare nurse practitioners specifically for pediatric acute care.

Led by Amy Williams, DNP, associate professor at the College of Nursing, the ACPNP track will be offered through both the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and post-BSN Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) pathways. The program features a hybrid format with required on-campus learning intensives and a clinical partnership with MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.

“This new concentration is not just a program addition. This program is a strategic investment in the future of pediatric health in South Carolina,” said Williams. “We’re proud to be the first in the state to prepare nurse practitioners for this level of acute pediatric care.”

The curriculum emphasizes family-centered care, interdisciplinary collaboration and leadership in high-acuity settings. Students will gain advanced clinical experience in pediatric intensive care units, emergency departments and inpatient specialty services. Graduates will be eligible for national certification as Acute Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (CPNP-AC) through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB). 

According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, South Carolina is projected to face the 7th largest nursing shortage in the U.S. by 2036, with over 13,600 registered nurse vacancies anticipated. 

To learn more or apply, visit https://nursing.musc.edu/admissions/our-programs/post-bsn-dnp/acpnp.  

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About MUSC 

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system, with a mission to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates over 3,300 students in six colleges and trains 1,060+ residents and fellows across its health system. MUSC leads the state in federal and National Institutes of Health and research funding. For information on our academic programs, visit musc.edu.

A the health care system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and safest patient care while educating and training generations of outstanding health care providers and leaders to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. In 2024, for the 10th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health University Medical Center in Charleston the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit muschealth.org.

MUSC has a total enterprise annual operating budget of $8.2 billion. The nearly 34,000 MUSC members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers, scientists, contract employees, affiliates and care team members who deliver groundbreaking education, research, and patient care.