Amanda K. Esperas, PNP

Amanda Esperas, DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC/PC, PMHNP-BC, is a pediatric nurse practitioner in Phoenix Children's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). She provides compassionate, evidence-based treatments for patients with complex and life-threatening illnesses and injuries. She has clinical interests in sepsis, pediatric respiratory failure and the long-term effects of critical illness, including its impact on growth and development and mental and emotional well-being of children and families following critical illness.

Amanda graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, where she also earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice. She received her postgraduate certification as an acute care pediatric nurse practitioner from Rush University in Chicago, Illinois and her certification as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. Amanda is credentialed through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board and the American Nurses Credentialing Center and is a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.

Amanda is a clinical assistant professor at Arizona State University, where she serves as the specialty coordinator for the Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program. Her experience as a pediatric nurse practitioner in primary care, along with working as a nurse practitioner in the PICU, gives Amanda a broad perspective on caring for children across the continuum, from preventive care to critical illness.

In addition, Amanda has contributed to peer-reviewed publications supporting pediatric health and advanced practice nursing. As a co-principal investigator, she led grant-funded initiatives to bolster pediatric education and interdisciplinary care. Her efforts supported the University of Arizona Pediatric Pulmonary Center, which advances interdisciplinary training to improve care for children with chronic respiratory conditions and a Delta Dental of Arizona grant focused on medical-dental integration.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and snowboarding, as well as supporting her children in their sports and activities.