Geriatric/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP) Programs
If you are a practicing geriatric nurse or licensed, registered nurse and are interested in advancing your career, a geriatric nurse practitioner program is the way to earn a master’s degree in this specialty. Geriatric nurse practitioners provide nursing care to older adults and the elderly, working in a variety of healthcare settings and performing many nursing duties characteristic of nurse practitioners.
According to the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA), there are numerous accredited geriatric nurse practitioner programs (GNP) throughout the country, as well as online learning options. In order to enter a geriatric nurse practitioner program, you will need to hold a current RN license, and hold a Bachelor’s of Science in nursing degree from a nursing program that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The application process usually also requires your undergraduate transcripts, an essay, and references.
Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Programs
Some universities offer a special program for candidates who are not registered nurses (RN) that effectively offer a combination degree, melding an accelerated undergraduate BSN or ADN program along with a master’s level geriatric nurse practitioner program. However, this is only an option in some states, and in others a bachelor’s of science in nursing is required in order to enter a master’s program in nursing for geriatric nurse practitioners. If you are not an RN, check with your state’s board of nursing to see if a combined, accelerated undergraduate and graduate program is an option for you. For those who already hold a Master of Science in Nursing degree (MSN), many geriatric nurse practitioner programs offer an option called a Post-Masters Geriatric Nurse Practitioner certificate. Most geriatric nurse practitioner programs require two years of study, but some colleges and universities offer part-time study options that take three to four years.
Coursework in geriatric nurse practitioner programs will provide the graduate level nursing student with an in-depth knowledge of nursing theory and research, advanced evaluation, diagnostics and health assessment skills, as well as training in acute care for older adults, pharmacology, and statistics. As geriatric nurse practitioner students earn masters degrees in nursing, they also focus on caring for both healthy and acutely ill older adults, and become well versed with the health problems and illnesses that elderly populations often face. These students also learn to work together with multidisciplinary teams working in elder care services.
Due to the country’s growing aging population, this advanced practice nursing specialty is an ideal choice if you are looking to become a geriatric nurse practitioner. Once you graduate from a geriatric nurse practitioner program, you will be eligible to take the board certification exam for geriatric nurse practitioners through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), or through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). The article, The Gerontological / Geriatric Advanced Practice Nurse, contains more detailed information about this career and what to expect as far as work environment and salary.
(Sources: Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc., American Nurses Credentialing Center, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners)
Illinois
Rush University – College of Nursing
Nursing students may be eligible to complete all or a portion of their clinical site requirements at a clinical site near their home. If not, there are a number of clinical sites in the Chicago area that faculty will assist in setting up for the student. The Rush University – College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Programs Offered: MSN – (Tracks: Acute Care NP, Acute/Chronic Care Pediatric NP, Adult NP, Adult/Gerontological NP, Anesthesia, Family NP, Gerontological NP, Neonatal NP, Pediatric NP, Psychiatric NP), Post-Master’s certificates are offered for all ten NP tracks, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
New York
Binghamton University – SUNY Decker School of Nursing
Located in Binghamton, NY, the Binghamton University – SUNY Decker School of Nursing undergraduate and graduate nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Programs Offered: BSN, Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, RN to BSN, MSN – (Tracks: Nurse Educator, Nurse Administrator, Nurse Practitioner – Community Health Nursing, Family Nursing, Gerontological Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health Programs , Clinical Nurse Specialist – Same specialization options as the NP), Post-Master’s Certificate, PhD
Columbia University School of Nursing – New York
All Nursing programs offered at the Columbia University School of Nursing are accredited by the Collegiate Commission of Nursing Education (CCNE) and the New York State Education Department.
Programs Offered: BSN, Accelerated BS/MS, MSN – (Specializations: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Midwifery, Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner), University Statutory Certificate for Nurses with an NP and a Master’s who want additional specialization, MS Completion, MSN/MBA, MSN/MPH, DNP, PhD
University of Rochester School of Nursing
The Baccalaureate nursing programs and the Master’s nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Programs Offered: Part-Time BSN, Accelerated BSN (for Second Degree Students), Part-Time MSN, Accelerated MSN (for Second Degree students), RN to MSN, MSN – (Tracks: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Care of Children and Families (Pediatric Nurse Practitioner), Care of Children and Families (Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with Pediatric Behavioral Health Specialization), Care of Children and Families (Pediatric Nurse Practitioner/Neonatal Nurse Practitioner), Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Adult/Family), PhD, DNP
University of Rochester School of Nursing, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box SON, Rochester, NY 14642
Ohio
Case Western Reserve University Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing
The BSN and MSN programs are approved by the Ohio State Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The Nurse Anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs (COA) and the Nurse Midwifery program is accredited by the ACNM Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education.
Programs Offered: BSN, RN to BSN, Direct Entry MSN, RN to MSN, Part-Time MSN, MSN – (Specializations: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) w/ Subspecialty: Flight Nursing or Subspecialty: Cardiovascular Nursing, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner w/ Subspecialty: Cardiovascular Nursing or Subspecialty: Infection Control or Subspecialty: Gerontology, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) w/ Subspecialty: Cardiovascular Nursing, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) w/ Subspecialty: Cardiovascular Nursing or Subspecialty: Gerontology, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)), MSN Joint Degrees – Master of Science in Nursing/Master Business Administration, Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Arts in Anthropology, Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Arts in Bioethics, Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Public Health, DNP, PhD, BSN to PhD, Post-Master’s Certificates
Case Western Reserve University Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing,
10900 Euclid Avenue,
Cleveland, OH 44106-4904
Oregon
Oregon Health & Science University – School of Nursing
The Oregon Health & Science University – School of Nursing BSN program is approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. The School of Nursing undergraduate and master programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing.
Programs Offered: Bachelor of Science with a Major in Nursing, Accelerated BS with a major in Nursing, RN to BSN, Accelerated BS to MSN, Part-Time MSN, MSN – (Tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, Nursing Education (offered as a Post Master’s Certificate only), Nursing Education with an emphasis in Community Health Nursing, Nursing Education with an emphasis in Gerontological Nursing, Nurse-Midwifery, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner), Post-Master’s Certificates – (Tracks: same as MSN w/ addition of gerontology and nursing education
Oregon Health & Science University – School of Nursing,
3455 SW US Veterans Hospital Road,
Portland, OR 97239
Pennsylvania
Villanova University College of Nursing
The bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs offered by Villanova University are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the State Board of Nursing of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Graduates of the BSN program are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.
Programs Offered: BSN, Adult Learners, Second Degree BSN, BSN/MSN Gateway for RNs, MSN – (Concentrations: Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Health Care Administration, Nursing Education, Nurse Anesthetist), Post-Master’s Certificates – (Concentrations: Same as MSN except for Health Care Administration), PhD
Villanova University College of Nursing,
800 E. Lancaster Avenue,
Villanova, PA 19085
Washington
Seattle University College of Nursing
The Seattle University College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The BSN and MSN programs are approved by the Washington State Nursing Commission.
Programs Offered: BSN, MSN – (Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner, Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwifery, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with Addictions focus), Post-Master’s Certificates
Seattle University College of Nursing,
901- 12th Ave.,
PO Box 222000,
Seattle, WA 98122-1090