Whether you are interested in becoming a geriatric nurse practitioner or you have a loved one who is aging, it is essential to know what this field entails. It is necessary to understand what senior nurses do and the importance of maintaining a good relationship with elderly patients.
Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
APRNs, or Adult Gerontological Nurse Practitioners, are highly trained nurses who provide advanced nursing care to older adults. They perform examinations and diagnose illness. They can also provide pain management and physical therapy. Some NPs specialize in primary care, and others in acute care.
The University of Iowa offers an AG-ACNP program that emphasizes the care of physiologically unstable patients. A nurse’s education includes didactic instruction, clinical experiences, and research. In addition, the program emphasizes the importance of technology to patients’ health.
Students complete a course in geriatric primary and long-term care, a class in health promotion, and a class in chronic diseases. They also take a course in disease prevention. They also complete a clinical in senior primary and long-term nursing care. They then choose a preceptor and have 600 hours of hands-on practice.
Primary Duties of a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
Practicing as a geriatric nurse practitioner means you’ll be helping to provide care for older patients with a wide range of medical problems. This means you’ll coordinate care with other health professionals and assist patients and families in negotiating treatment terms.
You’ll need to be familiar with prevalent medical disorders and available treatments while enrolling in online geriatric nurse practitioner programs. You’ll also need to communicate well with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals.
You’ll need to be compassionate and understand older adults’ challenges and needs. As a geriatric nurse, you’ll need to advocate for senior patients and ensure they receive the care they need. You’ll also need to be well-educated in the field of gerontology.
Geriatric nurses are responsible for monitoring the health of senior patients and preventing or mitigating the harm that diseases can cause. They perform a variety of physical evaluations and screenings, including evaluating dietary habits and external factors that can increase stress on geriatric patients. They may also recommend medicines, depending on state laws.
Assisted Living Nurses Association
Assisted Living Nurses Association, or AALNA, is an organization that promotes safe, dignified, and ethical nursing practice in assisted living communities. It’s a non-profit organization with a headquarters in Napa, California, United States. The organization has more than 3000 members in 50 states. The association’s website provides information on its services, training, and membership.
AALNA is a member of the National Center for Assisted Living, a coalition of senior nursing organizations. Alana’s mission is to help members improve their practice and provide excellent care to community residents. The association also has a special section on its website for students.
The association also offers a scholarship program. The scholarships range from $2,000 to $5,000 and are awarded to individuals and families of members.
The AALNA has also partnered with other public service associations. They work to address misperceptions about aging. They educate the general public on aging issues and advocate for quality care for older adults.
American Society of Post-Acute Care Nursing
Whether you are interested in a career in emergency room nursing, primary care, or critical care, the American Society of Post-Acute Care Nursing (ASPACN) has a specialty that will help you meet the needs of older adults. More than 250,000 older adults were treated in emergency rooms for crash injuries in 2018. To qualify for the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification-Adult Gerontology (AGACNP) specialization, you will need to have a degree from an accredited institution, at least one year of experience working in the field of nursing, and a license from the State Board of Nursing in the state in which you intend to practice.
AGACNPs are trained to assess and treat older patients with acute and chronic medical conditions. They also offer counseling to promote healthy living. They collaborate with physicians, radiologists, and other healthcare professionals to provide a multifaceted treatment plan. Some AGACNPs are responsible for providing direct patient management from admission to discharge.