No matter how satisfied someone is with their job, there can come a time when they reach a plateau and thirst for new opportunities. For registered nurses looking to take on a new professional challenge, adult gerontology primary care can be a rewarding option.
One of the best ways to ensure that you can maximize your career opportunities in the field of gerontology is to become a nurse practitioner. One possible option is to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialty in adult gerontology primary care.
What Is an MSN in Adult Gerontology Primary Care?
A degree in adult gerontology primary care provides nurses with the qualifications necessary not only to work with the elderly but also to oversee the health and well-being of adolescents through their entire lifespan. As a primary care provider, your work often focuses on treating chronic illnesses, health promotion, risk detection and disease prevention. When working with seniors, adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioners (AG PCNP) are also responsible for helping patients adopt healthy lifestyle practices so they can be as functional and independent as possible.
Students pursing an MSN in adult gerontology primacy care degree study advanced health assessment, adult gerontology health management and disease risk reduction. They also examine the latest research and theories pertaining to adult gerontological care. Candidates will also take an advanced clinical nursing practicum.
After completing the coursework, graduates take the National Certification Exam as an adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. After passing the exam, they will be licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse by their respective state board of nursing.
Expected Outcomes of the Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Degree
Nurses with a degree in adult gerontology primacy care excel at a wide spectrum of duties. You will be able to order medical testing, refer patients to specialists, take advanced case histories, prescribe and manage medications, and work collaboratively with other healthcare providers. You will also help patients and their families navigate the healthcare system.
As a primary care nurse, you will often find yourself interacting with a patient’s family. The active engagement of a family adds a unique facet to this nursing specialization. AG PCNPs must be sensitive to the needs of the patient’s family and acknowledge the important role they play in managing a patient’s health.
Nurse practitioners who specialize in adult gerontology primacy care can find employment in many settings:
- Long Term Care Facilities
- Rehabilitation centers
- Medical clinics
- Free clinics
- Senior communities
- Private home services
While this area of nursing can be very demanding, it can also be especially rewarding because you will play such an integral part in a patient’s health and quality of life.
Where Should You Get An MSN in Adult Gerontology Primary Care?
Becoming an adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner demands a wide array of professional and personal skills, so it’s vital to choose a university that will provide the best training.
One university with a highly regarded nursing program is the University of Texas at Arlington. The university offers an accredited online Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner.
The degree can be completed in as little as few 29 months. First-time certification pass rates for nurse practitioner programs at UTA exceed 95%. Because the degree is offered online, students have the flexibility to fit the coursework into their lives in a way that best serves their unique needs.
To provide the best preparation possible, UTA features a series of engaging courses designed to highlight the key nursing competencies that are most relevant to adult gerontology primacy care. For example, the course Adult Gerontology Management Across the Continuum covers common acute and chronic health problems in adolescents, adults and the elderly. In Adult Gerontology, Primary Care, students study an interdisciplinary approach to managing patients from adolescence to old age. Coursework also includes information on how to manage the patient’s families in various healthcare settings.
Students participate in clinical experiences in primary and long-term healthcare facilities that deal with treating adolescents, adults and elders with chronic and acute illnesses.
Nurse practitioners with an MSN in adult gerontology primacy care are in demand and can expect an interesting and rewarding career. They possess skills and medical training that will allow them to make a meaningful and lasting contribution to their communities.
Learn more about UTA’s online MSN in Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program.
Sources:
Johnson & Johnson Nursing: Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
United Nations Population Fund: Ageing
U.S. Census Bureau: An Aging Nation: The Older Population in the United States
U.S. Census Bureau: Projections of the Size and Composition of the U.S. Population: 2014 to 2060
