Nurse Practitioners are Registered Nurses who serve as primary and specialty health care providers under a physician. Much like a geriatrician, Gerontological Nurse Practitioners work with elderly patients, diagnosing illness, conducting exams, and prescribing medication. As a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, you can work at nursing homes, with home healthcare services and in hospice facilities, or run your own private practice.
Things You'll Do:
- Diagnose illnesses and diseases
- Prescribe medication and therapy
- Conduct routine check-ups and screenings
- Order patient lab tests
- Pain management
- Focus on preventative care
Your job characteristics:
- Multifaceted
- Structured
- Patient-facing
- Independent
How You'll Get There
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Get YourBachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
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Pass YourNational Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN)
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You can start working as a Registered Nurse.
More about becoming an RN › -
Get YourMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN)
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Take courses in geriatrics, acute and chronic illness management, research, primary healthcare concerns and leadership preparation.
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Get YourBoard certification in gerontological practice through the American Nurses Credentialing Center of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
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Become aCertified Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (CGNP)
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You’ll need to renew your certification every five years, through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
More About this Specialty
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Meet
Jennylynderead her story
Geriatric Nurse, RN
I became a Certified Nursing Assistant at the age of 16, after obtaining my Girl Scout Gold Award by arranging...
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How Much You
Can Makean average salary of
$63K - $85Kfind salary by stateWhat Else You
Can Expect- Since the elderly are more likely than any other age group to need nursing care, and with the US population growing increasingly older, your job outlook is good.
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