Masters in Nursing Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

A nurse practitioner who chooses to specialize in gerontology has selected a medical field that is growing rapidly in the United States. The average age of the U.S. population is climbing and millions of baby boomers are now entering the category of senior citizen. Accordingly, the range of programs and facilities devoted to healthcare and social services for seniors continues to increase. A Master of Nursing Gerontology Nurse Practitioner degree opens up career options in all of those programs and institutions. RNs that have worked in senior services and enjoy the work can enroll in this program and emerge with a credential that will enable them to take an active medical role as well as work in administration.

There is also an increase in gerontological services built into the public health sector, as many seniors are finding that their retirement savings and Medicare plans don't always meet their needs. One of the primary service areas for advanced practice nurses with training in gerontology is public health, which would include clinics for inoculations and minor health needs along with facilities with a broader scope of services. A gerontology nurse practitioner may work in a hospital setting, in a long term care facility, as a service administrator for a home healthcare agency, or in an educational role for a public health agency engaged in an outreach effort.

There are some online programs for the Masters in Nursing for Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, in schools that are comfortable having their students make arrangements for the clinical practicum. More of our older citizens are living longer as seniors; the options for care and medical treatment have become more specialized and include a number of services that are often taken into the home. Nurse practitioners in gerontology may work in a long term or assisted living facility developing treatment plans for residents that include occupational or physical therapy, mental health treatment, and nutritional education. Gerontology is in many ways a holistic approach to healthcare, requiring the MSN working in the field to be knowledgeable about all of the treatments designed to maintain quality of life for the elderly.