Many nurses pursue continuing education to provide specialized care, while others seek to expand their scope of practice. If you enjoy working with adults, consider the Post-Master’s Adult-Gero Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP) Certificate. The A-GNP skill set is similar to that of a family nurse practitioner when it comes to the type of care provided, but it does not include pediatric care. Concerns specific to elderly care are covered in depth.
Adult-Gero Nurse Practitioner Duties
While the credentials suggest a focus solely on gerontological care, the A-GNP works with patients from adolescence through the end of life. This allows them to form long-term relationships with their patients and to gain a strong familiarity with patients’ medical histories and challenges. They witness changes over time, which provides further insight for individual patient treatment. As a result, they are a friendly, trusted part of their patients’ ongoing care.
A-GNPs are at the front lines of health promotion, educating patients on diet and lifestyle choices to support longevity. The World Health Organization projects that 57% of the world population will have chronic diseases in 2020, as reported by PWC. Diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more can significantly impact the lives of patients. Expert care is needed to alleviate the burden of these conditions. Patient education is necessary to manage chronic diseases.
Nina Mosely notes in The Gypsy Nurse that the A-GNP can further specialize their career focus with one of two specialties: acute care and primary care. The acute care A-GNP often works in a hospital, dealing with patients who are ill or have immediate health complaints. The primary care A-GNP addresses long-term wellness and can work in hospitals, clinics, rural settings and private practices. This specialty allows the nurse practitioner to develop a partnership with patients in their own care.
A primary care A-GNP treats a variety of conditions across the lifespan of their patients. Routine wellness visits for teens, pap tests for women, skin biopsies and prescriptions can all be handled by the A-GNP. Monitoring and adjusting medication for dying adults in hospice so they can spend their last days in a comfortable and caring environment falls within an A-GNP’s purview.
The United States Census Bureau projects that in 2030, one in five citizens will be retirement age. The expectation is for there to be slightly more adults than those under the age of 18. As the physician shortage grows, skilled primary care providers will be more and more in demand. With improvements in healthcare technology and an increase of the aging population, career prospects are bright for those specializing in adult-gero care. PayScale indicates the average salary is currently $89,637 per year, as of February 2020.
NKU’s Post-Master’s Adult-Gero Nurse Practitioner Certificate Online
Northern Kentucky University (NKU) offers a course of study to prepare you for the Adult-Gero Primary Care certification examination. Coursework can be completed in as few as 20 months.
Admissions requirements include a Master of Science in Nursing with a minimum 3.0 GPA. You must have a current, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license and 1,000 clinical hours of experience that can be verified by your employer.
The curriculum comprises 13 courses, totaling 31 credit hours. Eight core courses cover the role of Advanced Practice Nurses, patient functional diagnosis, pharmacology, pathophysiology and primary care. There are four supervised clinical residencies amounting to 500 clinical hours. The capstone project puts the student’s learning to the test, synthesizing all previous learning to prepare for real-world application.
A-GNP Certificate Examination
Upon completion of the A-GNP coursework, it is necessary to sit for the A-GNP certificate examination. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board administers the examination and provides credentialing. The exam focuses on the application of evidence-based practice. A total of 135 scored items on the exam are broken down by condition and patient assessment, diagnosis, planning, and evaluation for patients from adolescence through geriatrics.
Upon completion of the program at NKU, you will not only have fulfilled the educational requirements to take the certification exam, but you will also have the knowledge and competence to confidently provide primary care for the adult population. Pursuing the A-GNP certificate can be an exciting and fulfilling career choice for MSNs.
Learn more about NKU’s online Post-Master’s Adult-Gero Nurse Practitioner Certificate program.
Sources:
PWC: Chronic Diseases and Conditions Are on the Rise
The Gypsy Nurse: What Exactly Does an Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Do?
PayScale: Average Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Salary
