How to Be Geriatric Nurse Practitioner - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Apr 19, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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A Geriatric Nurse Practitioner (GNP) is an advanced practice nurse who specializes in the care of elderly individuals. The role of the GNP is critical in helping elderly individuals age healthily and with dignity. The GNP is able to assess, diagnose and treat any health-related issues that elderly individuals may face, as well as provide counseling and guidance related to aging healthily.

This specialized care can help to reduce the amount of hospitalizations and emergency room visits, as well as improve medication adherence, which can lead to improved overall health, better quality of life, and a decreased chance of developing chronic diseases associated with aging. Furthermore, the GNP can provide important emotional and social support to elderly individuals and families, helping them to better understand and manage the aging process.

Steps How to Become

Complete a Bachelors Degree Program. The first step to becoming a geriatric nurse practitioner is to complete a bachelors degree program in nursing. Although some schools offer an accelerated program for registered nurses that already hold an associates degree in nursing, the majority of schools require a four-year bachelors degree in nursing.
Obtain a Registered Nurse (RN) License. Once you have obtained your bachelors degree in nursing, the next step is to obtain a Registered Nurse (RN) license. To qualify for a license, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).
Gain Clinical Experience. After you have obtained your RN license, it is important to gain clinical experience in geriatrics. Many nursing programs offer clinical experience in geriatrics as part of their curriculums, but it is important to make sure that you have at least two years of experience working with elderly patients before applying to a Nurse Practitioner program.
Earn a Masters Degree. To become a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, you must earn a masters degree. Most programs are two years in length and include courses in gerontology, health promotion, pharmacology and leadership.
Obtain Certification. After completing your masters degree, you must obtain certification as a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner (GNP). This certification is offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and requires that you pass an exam.
Complete Continuing Education. It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest advances in geriatric care by completing continuing education courses. The ANCC offers continuing education courses specifically for Geriatric Nurse Practitioners, as well as other organizations such as the American Geriatrics Society and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Geriatric Nurse Practitioners (GNPs) are highly skilled and efficient healthcare professionals who specialize in providing care to the aging population. Their expertise and specialized training enable them to assess, diagnose, and treat conditions in older adults. GNPs must stay up-to-date on the latest advances in geriatric care, such as the use of new medications, treatments, and technologies.

They also need to be familiar with the unique health needs of the elderly, including mental health issues, chronic diseases, and end-of-life care. As a result of their specialized knowledge and expertise, GNPs are able to provide quality care to elderly patients, helping them to live healthier and longer lives.

You may want to check Geriatric Home Health Aide, Geriatric Psychiatrist, and Geriatric Speech-Language Pathologist for alternative.

Job Description

Provide comprehensive care to elderly patients, including physical examinations, diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, and health promotion and counseling.
Monitor patient health, including vital signs, nutrition, and physical and cognitive functioning.
Order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests such as laboratory tests, X-rays, and electrocardiograms.
Prescribe medications and treatments for chronic diseases and illnesses.
Work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals to develop individualized care plans for each patient.
Educate patients and their families about treatments, medications, and preventive health measures.
Provide emotional support to patients and their families to help them cope with physical and mental health issues.
Participate in research studies to improve care for elderly patients.
Stay abreast of advances in geriatric medicine and nursing practices.
Make referrals to specialists and other healthcare providers as needed.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Ability to assess and diagnose geriatric patients with complex medical issues
Understanding of the physical, mental and emotional needs of geriatric patients
Ability to develop and implement care plans for geriatric patients
Understanding of pharmacology and its application to geriatric patients
Knowledge of preventative care measures for geriatric patients
Ability to provide support and education to families of geriatric patients
Ability to collaborate with other healthcare professionals to coordinate comprehensive care
Ability to utilize evidence-based practice to improve patient outcomes
Knowledge of end-of-life care and hospice services
Ability to identify risk factors for falls and other age-related conditions
Ability to assess and treat pain in geriatric patients
Understanding of the importance of long-term follow-up care for geriatric patients

A Geriatric Nurse Practitioner (GNP) is a medical professional who specializes in providing healthcare and medical services to elderly patients. The most important skill to have as a GNP is excellent communication and interpersonal skills. This is because the elderly often have more complex and diverse needs than younger patients, and it is important for the GNP to be able to effectively communicate with the patient and their family members.

strong problem-solving skills are crucial, as the GNP must be able to quickly diagnose and treat their patients. They must also be able to assess the patient's living environment and develop a plan of care that best suits the patient's lifestyle and needs. Lastly, they must have an understanding of the aging process and be able to provide guidance and support to the patient and their family.

All of these skills combined enable GNPs to provide the best possible care for their elderly patients.

Geriatrics Medical Office Manager, Geriatrics Rehabilitation Technician, and Geriatrician are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working with geriatric patients?
What do you think are the biggest challenges of working with geriatric patients?
How do you ensure that you provide the best care for your elderly patients?
How do you handle difficult conversations with elderly patients and their families?
What strategies do you use to help elderly patients stay engaged in their care plans?
Describe a successful experience you had working with a geriatric patient.
What steps have you taken to stay current in your knowledge of geriatric care?
How do you handle ethical dilemmas that can arise in geriatric care?
What have you done to educate yourself on the cultural and spiritual needs of elderly patients?
What is your approach to providing holistic care to geriatric patients?

Common Tools in Industry

Electronic Medical Records (EMR). A digital record of patient health information that is used to document and track patient care. (e. g. Epic Systems)
Telemedicine. The use of audio, video, and other forms of communication to provide clinical care at a distance. (e. g. Teladoc)
Senior Care Coordination Software. Software that helps to manage care for the elderly, including medication management and appointment scheduling. (e. g. CareLinx)
Clinical Decision Support Systems. Computer-based systems that provide patient-specific guidance to clinicians on diagnosis, treatment, and risk assessment. (e. g. UpToDate)
Wearable Technology. Devices that monitor health data such as heart rate and activity levels in order to provide personalized health insights. (e. g. Fitbit)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Association of Nurse Practitioners
American Geriatrics Society
National Gerontological Nurses Association
American College of Nurse Practitioners
National Academy of Geriatric Nurse Practitioners
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association
Society of Gerontology Nurses and Practitioners
Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders
International Council of Nurses Gerontological Nursing Section

We also have Geriatrics Home Care Aide, Geriatrics Medical Billing Specialist, and Geriatric Rehabilitation Aide jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Geriatric Medicine. A branch of medicine that focuses on the health needs of elderly people.
Geriatric Assessment. An evaluation of an elderly persons physical and mental health, usually done by a healthcare professional, to assess their current and future needs.
Geriatric Care Management. The coordination of care for elderly individuals, including the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of services to meet their health and social needs.
Gerontology. The study of the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging.
Geriatrics. The branch of medicine that focuses on the health of elderly people.
Palliative Care. Medical treatment that is focused on providing relief from pain, discomfort, and other symptoms of serious illness, rather than curing the illness itself.
Home Health Care. Services that are provided in a persons home, such as skilled nursing care, physical therapy, and other medical services.
Long Term Care. Services that are provided over an extended period of time, usually in a nursing home or assisted living facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner?

A Geriatric Nurse Practitioner (GNP) is a healthcare professional who specializes in providing care to older adults and helping them to manage chronic and acute conditions associated with aging.

What types of medical services do Geriatric Nurse Practitioners provide?

Geriatric Nurse Practitioners provide a range of medical services including preventive care, diagnostic services, medication management, and patient education. They may also provide counseling services and referrals to specialists.

How many years of experience do Geriatric Nurse Practitioners typically have?

Geriatric Nurse Practitioners usually have at least two years of experience in geriatrics and typically have a master's degree in nursing.

What is the average salary for a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner?

According to PayScale, the average salary for a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner is $95,187 per year.

What professional organizations do Geriatric Nurse Practitioners belong to?

Geriatric Nurse Practitioners can belong to several professional organizations such as the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Gerontology (NAPG), the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), and the American College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP).

Web Resources

What does an adult geriatric nurse practitioner do - Regis College online.regiscollege.edu
Adult Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Acute - University of Southern www.usi.edu
Adult Geriatric Nurse Practitioner (AGNP-PC) | College of Nursing ... www.upstate.edu