Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Programs

Those with a passion for caring for adult patients in an advanced practice setting can consider a career as an adult gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP). These nurses can work more autonomously to prescribe medication and devise treatment plans for their patients in both acute and primary care environments. Luckily, there are a wide variety of quality adult gerontology nurse practitioner programs with both acute and primary care subspecialties for interested parties to choose from.

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Choosing an Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Program

Students should consider the following factors when trying to choose an appropriate adult gerontology nurse practitioner program:

Accreditation

Good adult gerontology nurse practitioner programs will be accredited by national accrediting organizations such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Local and regional accrediting bodies may also endorse programs.

Program Cost

Adult gerontology nurse practitioner programs typically list tuition cost by credit hour. Standard tuition rates fall in the $600 to $1,000 or more per credit hour range, depending on location and degree-level chosen. Doctoral programs generally require more credits, thus making them more expensive than master's programs.

Program Length

MSN-level adult gerontology nurse practitioner programs typically require around 45 credit hours or units, with part-time and full-time study options available. DNP-level programs require close to 92 credit hours, with many of these coming from clinical practicum hours. Both master's and doctoral programs require a certain amount of hands-on clinical training hours in addition to classroom courses.

Internship/Externship Opportunities

Many schools have relationships with local hospitals and medical centers in which students can complete their hands-on training. Students can inquire with prospective schools to see what kind of internship/externship opportunities are available to them.

Online/Campus Options

At the request of increasingly time-strapped students, many programs now offer both online and campus-based acute care nurse practitioner programs. Some schools even offer a "hybrid" program, allowing students to take many courses online but also offering classroom-based lectures and labs. All students, whether online or classroom-based, will be required to complete clinical hours at a hospital or other medical facility.

Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Degree Levels Offered

Adult gerontology nurse practitioner students have two educational choices to choose from: the Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) or the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Each pathway has rewarding outcomes, but nurses must think about their ultimate goals and choose the one that makes sense for them.

MSN Programs

There are a number of adult gerontology nurse practitioner programs that provide the option to specialize in acute or primary care. Regardless of the subspecialty, students enrolled in the program can expect to take courses such as Advanced Nursing Practice Role, Pharmacology in Advanced Nursing Practice, Gerontology, and more. Atlanta's Emory University is an example of a school that offers an MSN Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program.

DNP Programs

For those wanting to hold the highest positions as an adult gerontology nurse practitioner, DNP programs take the curriculum beyond the MSN-level program. Graduates of the doctoral degree program will be prepared to evaluate, diagnose, and manage acute and chronic illnesses and conditions. Courses taken include Diagnostic Health Assessment, Management of Adults, and Common Adolescent Health Problems. The University of Washington is a good example of a school that offers an accredited Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner DNP program.

Online Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Programs

With today's hectic lifestyles, online learning has begun to grow at a rapid pace. Online adult gerontology nurse practitioner programs allow students who didn't think they could swing a graduate-level program the chance to earn an advanced nursing degree.

Advantages of an Online Program

Most students credit the convenience and flexibility of online programs as the reason they chose that pathway. With online learning, students take courses in their own home, and generally on their own time schedule. Online programs also have the advantage of reducing commuting costs, as students don't have to deal with gas, parking, and other transportation expenses.

Program Accreditation

Just like classroom-based adult gerontology nurse practitioner programs, online programs should be fully accredited. ACEN and CCNE accreditation is the gold standard for this type of program.

Costs and Length

Online adult gerontology nurse practitioner programs have the same credit requirements as campus-based programs do, but online programs tend to be more flexible about full-time or part-time attendance. Because of this, many students are able to tailor the length of online programs to suit their needs. Cost is also similar to campus programs; for example, tuition for Spring Arbor University's online adult gerontology nurse practitioner program costs $665 per credit hour. Online students, however, have significantly reduced transportation costs.

What Are the Admissions and Certification Requirements?

Admissions requirements for most adult gerontology nurse practitioner programs include:

• BSN or MSN from an accredited university
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Written expression of goals
• Current resume/CV
• Must submit evidence of current RN license
• Professional letters of recommendation

Certification as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner or Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner is through examination via the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Eligibility requirements for these exams include:

• Current, active RN license
• Master's, postgraduate, or doctoral degree in the field

List of Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Programs

There are a many adult gerontology nurse practitioner programs available, including the following schools.

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