Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

Faculty Coordinator:

Christine Mueller, Ph.D., RN
612-624-4922 or cmueller@umn.edu

Specialty Area Information:

With the increasing number of elderly persons, there is a need for nurses who have expertise in gerontological nursing. In response to this community need, the University of Minnesota School of Nursing offers courses to prepare nurses to become Gerontological Nurse Practitioners and Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Students obtain extensive knowledge in theories of aging and gerontological nursing. They become knowledgeable and skilled in providing interventions necessary for health promotion, managing complex health conditions, and working effectively with interdisciplinary teams to provide care and services for older adults. The dynamic curriculum provides students with coursework to gain advanced knowledge in nursing theory, moral/ethical issues, research and evidence-based nursing, and medical assessment and management for elderly persons.

Multiple opportunities are available for students to:

• Work with nationally and internationally recognized faculty members conducting research on health care issues of the elderly.
• Become an active member in and have access to resources available from the School of Nursing Center for Gerontological Nursing
• Practice with renowned practitioner preceptors in innovative health care settings.
• Attend lectures/seminars/conferences presented by prominent leaders in nursing and gerontology.
• Participate in innovative interdisciplinary education experiences.

Students who pursue the Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP) complete the required practicum hours to be eligible for the national certification examination. A list of required courses for the area of study is provided.

Jobs/Roles of GNP

GNPs work in collaboration with physicians in a variety of settings, the most common providing primary care to elders in long term care facilities, transitional care units, and assisted living facilities. GNPs also work in ambulatory clinics, health maintenance organizations, and in independent or specialty practices.

Certification

Completion of required GNP coursework and clinical experience provides eligibility to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center GNP certification examination. The pass rate for University of Minnesota School of Nursing GNP students has been 100%. The national pass rate for the 2004 exam was 68%.

Admission to the GNP Area of Study

GNP course work starts fall term and includes approximately 600 hours of clinical experience. Efforts are made to provide students with practica in a variety of clinical settings within their geographical area. Practica are under the direction of GNP certified faculty, and supervised by certified nurse practitioner preceptors or physicians. Applicants are required to have at least one year of experience working with the elderly population.

Those students interested in GNP area of study that are not selected may be placed on a waiting list. If placed on a waiting list, it does not ensure entrance into the GNP area of study for the following year. If you are not selected from the waiting list, you must reapply to be considered for admission.

Those students already enrolled in Graduate School at the School of Nursing may apply for the GNP area of study by completing a new School of Nursing application and a Graduate School Change of Status form.

Students who have completed a Master's of Science degree in nursing and are interested in pursuing coursework which would allow them to take the ANCC GNP certification examination may apply for the Post-Masters Certificate Program.