You’ve always liked helping people, but you especially connect with the older population. In your journey figuring out your next career move, you’ve considered becoming a nurse for senior citizens, also known as a gerontological nurse practitioner (GNP) or a geriatric nurse practitioner.

However, you aren’t exactly sure how to become a geriatric nurse practitioner, and you want to research the kind of commitment it’ll take before you dive into this profession. Learning about this field, the educational requirements and salary you can expect will help you make your decision on whether or not you want to work as a gerontology nurse practitioner.

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Master of Science in Nursing

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Master of Science in Nursing

Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. 

• Part-time and accelerated tracks available
• Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP

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Steps to Become Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

When researching how to become a geriatric nurse practitioner, you should consider the following steps:

Step 1: Apply for and Earn an Undergraduate Degree in Nursing

You may likely need to pursue an undergraduate degree in nursing so you can become a registered nurse (RN). You’ll need a bachelor’s as well as your RN before you can be a gerontological nurse practitioner. You will learn in the classroom as well as through supervised clinical experience.

Step 2: Apply for and Earn Your RN License 

Following graduation, you’ll take a test, the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for registered nurses, to become an RN. You need to pass this test as well as any other state requirements for licensure.

Step 3: Work with Geriatric Patients 

Before applying to graduate school, find a job where you can gain experience with the senior population. Often nurse practitioner degrees will require clinical hours, so hands-on experience is recommended.

Step 4: Earn Your Master’s Degree in Nursing 

You need to then enroll in an accredited gerontology nurse practitioner program, which is typically a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). These programs are in-person and online and have different application requirements, such as a minimum GPA and letters of recommendation. The program will take one to three years, depending on whether you’re a full-time or part-time student.

Step 5: Get Certified

After graduation, you may be qualified to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s certification test. You will also need at least 500 hours of supervised clinical experience for the adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner certification.

There are several pathways to become an adult gerontology nurse practitioner. Once you have completed an undergraduate degree or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), here are some potential educational journeys you can embark on:

Master’s in Nursing MSN 

A Master of Science in Nursing, or MSN, is required to become a geriatric nurse practitioner. In this program, you will complete coursework in gerontology. This could take several years, but if you’re limited on time, you can find an accelerated online MSN program in gerontology to earn the degree quickly.

Post-Grad Certificate

A post-grad certificate, also called a post-master’s certificate, is a certificate you earn upon graduation from an MSN program. It is not required. This sort of program is beneficial if you did not specialize in gerontology in your MSN program and want to qualify for the requisite certifications. You can find post-grad certificate programs online.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) 

A Doctor of Nursing Practice program typically comes after a master’s program. Earning your DNP may help prepare you for more advanced or leadership positions. A doctor of nursing, also known as a DNP, will take two to five years, and a student can complete an online DNP program, in person or a hybrid of both.

BSN to DNP

If you know you want to earn your doctor of nursing, you can go directly into a BSN-to-DNP program, which will take you from earning your BSN to completing your DNP degree. The length of these programs varies, but they usually take two to six years, depending on whether you’re full-time or part-time. You can complete these programs online, in person or in a hybrid environment.

There are various career paths you can take to become a gerontological nurse practitioner. It all depends on what you want to specialize in and what kind of setting you’d like to work in. Your career options include the following:

An AGNP is an advanced practice nurse who serves adolescents, adults and seniors. They differ from a GNP because a GNP solely focuses on the elderly. You can become an acute, primary or clinical adult gerontology nurse practitioner.

Common steps to become an AGNP may include:

A geriatric nurse practitioner is a nurse who provides care for elderly patients. They will give patients physicals, diagnose and come up with care plans and provide prescriptions. They work in acute care, ambulatory care, private homes, private practices and in long-term care. They are also called gerontological nurse practitioners. 

GNPs will take into consideration the effect that common senior illnesses like dementia and depression contribute to overall health, and typically treat seniors who fall, experience incontinence, are dehydrated and have physiological dysfunctions. They treat seniors of all ages, from those in their 60s to those in their 90s and beyond.

Common steps to become a geriatric nurse practitioner may include: 

A gerontology nurse practitioner is a nurse who works with the senior population. It differs from a nurse practitioner, who works with all populations. A GNP will work in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, private homes, private practices and schools, and come up with treatment plans for their patients and treat common ailments seniors experience.

You may find that becoming a geriatric nurse practitioner is a fulfilling career. GNPs make a difference by helping seniors heal and lead healthier lives. And demand for NPs is strong because of the aging baby boomer population. 

By 2034, it’s projected there will be more older adults than children under the age of 18. This could lead to increased need for GNPs and higher spending on nurses in this specialty. The median annual wage for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners was $117,670 in May 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports. Here are the average salaries for nurse practitioners in the five states, as of May 2020, where their pay is highest. Keep in mind that your salary may be different depending on your education, work experience, demand in your state and the setting in which you work.

The salary for a nurse will also be higher in states with higher costs of living. If you want to increase your salary, you can earn a higher degree, which would be a Doctor of Nursing Practice, or DNP.

As a gerontological nurse practitioner, you will complete physical examinations for patients, diagnose any illnesses, give them a treatment plan and prescribe medicine. You will follow up to ensure your treatment plan is working and, if not, you will come up with a new course for them. Typically, you’ll deal with common senior issues like falling, dementia, constipation and dehydration, and determine ways to ensure seniors have the highest quality of life possible.

Sponsored online nursing programs

Simmons University

info

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care.

• Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
• Complete in as few as 24 months
• Full-time and part-time tracks available

Request more info from Simmons University.

Georgetown University

info

Master of Science in Nursing

Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown University’s MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months. 

• Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
• Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
• Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice

Request more info from Georgetown University.

St. John Fisher University

info

Master of Science in Nursing

Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. 

• Part-time and accelerated tracks available
• Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP

Request more info from St. John Fisher University.

info SPONSORED

There are different nursing certifications you need to earn as a GNP. They include the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP-BC) and the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification – Adult Gerontology (ACNPC-AG). For the most up-to-date information on these certifications, be sure to check with the related organization.

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP-BC), from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC):

• Eligibility requirements: You must have an active RN license and a master’s degree or a doctor of nursing in an approved adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program to be eligible to earn this certification.
• Fees: The fees are $295 for American Nurses Association members, $395 for non-members and $340 for the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
• Renewal information: You must recertify every five years. Fees for recertification are $275 for American Nurses Association members, $375 for non-members and $295 for the American Association of Nurse members.

Certification information from the ANCC was last retrieved in October 2021.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification – Adult Gerontology (ACNPC-AG), from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN): 

• Eligibility requirements: You must have an active RN license and a master’s degree or a doctor of nursing in an approved acute care nurse practitioner program to be eligible to earn this certification.
• Fees: The fees are $260 for AACN members and $370 for non-members.
• Renewal information: You can renew your certification by taking the exam again or by earning 150 continuing education points provided by the AACN CE Point Program. You will be charged $250 for AACN members or $340 for nonmembers.

Certification information from the AACN was last retrieved in October 2021.

When becoming a gerontological nurse practitioner, or if you’re already a GNP, you can join organizations to further your professional development and meet your fellow GNPs. Some organizations you may want to join include:

Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA): This organization, founded in 1981, provides professional conferences for advanced practice nurses who care for seniors. They also provide continuing education for nurses and educate consumers on issues related to aging.

American Assisted Living Nurses Association (AALNA): AALNA is for nurses who work in assisted living facilities. This organization provides certification and professional development for nurses in different chapters in states like Florida, Arizona, Texas and New Jersey.

The Long Term Care Nurses Association (LTCNA): LTCNA is composed of nurses working in long-term care facilities and provides them with professional development, career advancement and networking opportunities. It also focuses on resident advocacy and public relations.

You may not want to become a geriatric nurse practitioner. Instead, you can work in a related nurse practitioner career. Some possible careers include:

Last updated October 2021.