Hot Nursing Career: Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

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Gerontological nurse practitioner job opportunities remain strong. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for all types of nurse practitioners is growing much faster than average rate. Growth is expected to rise by 31% over the next ten years (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017). Choosing to be a gerontological nurse practitioner is a smart career choice, as people are living longer and the need for qualified medical providers is high.

Gerontological nurse practitioner compensation

Salaries for gerontological nurse practitioners range from $68,000-$124,000 annually. The median wage for a gerontological nurse practitioner is $91,000 per year (Payscale Human Capital, 2018). Most gerontological nurse practitioners work for companies that provide comprehensive benefits. Some gerontological nurse practitioners create their independent businesses. This affords them opportunities for more control and unlimited compensation.

Where do gerontological nurse practitioners work?

Employment opportunities are available in a wide array of settings. Many gerontological nurse practitioners work as primary care providers. Gerontological nurse practitioners are employed by acute and long-term care hospitals, residential centers, clinics, and home health agencies. Some gerontological nurse practitioners are facility-based, while others make home visits. Gerontological nurses work in rural areas and cities.

What do gerontological nurse practitioners do?

Gerontological nurse practitioners play vital roles in preventative care. Gerontological nurse practitioners are often primary care providers.

There is a growing emphasis on keeping high-risk elders out of hospitals, particularly post discharge from facilities. Gerontological nurse practitioners are vital in preventing readmission. They do this by identifying problems quickly and coordinating effective community-based solutions.

Elders often have complex medical, social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Gerontological nurse practitioners creatively formulate multifaceted care in coordination with other providers. Care may be preventative, restorative, curative, or palliative.

Gerontological nurse practitioners play a leadership role when patients and families are faced with the challenges of an elder’s functional decline. They teach patients and caregivers about a wide array of health conditions and care issues. Gerontological nurse practitioners are essential resources for family members who are providing care for elders who have dementia, mobility problems, sensory issues, or chronic disease. They facilitate decision-making about advanced directives and end-of-life decisions.

Gerontological nurse practitioners serve as advocates for elders. They conduct comprehensive examinations and evaluate patients’ abilities to drive or care for themselves independently.

Educational preparation required to become a gerontological nurse practitioner

Gerontological nurse practitioners must possess a minimum of a master's degree. Certification as a geriatric expert is available through the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association. The first specialty certification exam will be held on March 17, 2018, at the 2018 GAPNA Pharmacology Conference in Boston, Massachusetts (GAPNA, n.d.). Contact the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association for future examination dates and specific eligibility criteria.

Specialized coursework and 2500 hours of experience working in an advanced practice role with elders are needed before earning a certificate as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Gerontological Specialist Certificate, APRN-GS-C (GAPNA, n.d.).

Coursework focuses on illness prevention, functional decline, physical assessment, and everyday health needs of elders. Cardiac, respiratory, orthopedic, and age-related illnesses are studied. Students learn about sensory deficits and changes in cognition. Gerontological nurse practitioners take classes and become experts regarding community resources, reimbursement, and social issues that affect older adults.

Challenges of being a gerontological nurse practitioner

As patients decline, being a gerontological nurse practitioner can be stressful.  It is challenging to work with families, limited community resources, and tight budget constraints. It is challenging to formulate plans with patients who suffer from cognitive decline and multiple comorbidities.

Rewards of being a gerontological nurse practitioner

A survey by Payscale Human Capital indicates that Gerontological Nurse Practitioners report being “extremely satisfied” with their positions (Payscale Human Capital, 2018). Excellent compensation, job security, autonomy, and a desire to make a difference drive many nurse practitioners to a career in gerontology. Gerontological nurse practitioners have opportunities to work in a wide range of settings. They have the satisfaction of knowing that they are helping others to live out their years as healthily as possible. Gerontological nurse practitioners are rewarded by knowing that they are assisting elders in maintaining their independence and keeping them safe when needed. They experience satisfaction knowing that they ease burdens that families face while providing care for elders and making difficult end-of-life decisions. The roles of the gerontological nurse practitioner are quite varied, so the work is always exciting and new.

Works Cited

GAPNA. (n.d.). Certification. Retrieved February 1, 2018, from Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association: https://www.gapna.org/certification

Payscale Human Capital. (2018). Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Salary. Retrieved from Payscale Human Capital: https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Gerontological_Nurse_Practitioner/Salary

US Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2017, March 31). Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2016. Retrieved from US Department of Labor Statistics Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291171.htm