What is a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner? (Duties, Steps to Become & Salary)
Written By:
Pattie Trumble
Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
Pattie Trumble is a nurse who worked in both California and New York for many years as an emergency room nurse. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing. Read Full Bio »» , MPP, MPH
What is a gerontological nurse practitioner? Gerontological NPs are advanced practice RNs whose expertise is the health and well-being of the elderly. Gerontological nursing practice is a healthcare profession in high demand: Today, more Americans are 65 or over than ever before in the nation’s history, and nearly 95 percent of these senior citizens have at least one chronic health issue. Gerontological nurse practitioners specialize in one of two areas: Acute gerontological NPs deal with rapid-onset medical issues that may be life-threatening, while primary care gerontological NPs manage long-term health conditions and focus more on prevention and education. This article will give you a comprehensive look at the role of the gerontological nurse practitioner – what do they do, steps-to-become, and salary.
What Does a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Do? – 6 Main Duties and Responsibilities
In addressing senior citizens’ physical, mental, and social needs, gerontological NPs perform a wide range of activities. Here are six of their most common functions:
1. Assessment
Like all advanced practice clinical practitioners, primary care gerontological nurse practitioners attain medical histories and perform physical examinations to evaluate their patients’ functional status. They pay particular attention to assessing risk for conditions that have the most significant impact on the elderly, such as dementia, osteoporosis, hearing and vision loss, osteoarthritis, incontinence, and malnutrition.
2. Diagnosis
On the basis of medical histories, physical examinations, and laboratory tests, gerontological nurse practitioners make diagnoses. Comorbidities can make this part of the GNP’s job particularly challenging.
3. Treatment
Gerontological NPs treat their patients, prescribing medications and making referrals to specialists where appropriate. In states that allow nurse practitioners to practice autonomously, NPs treat patients independently; in states where the scope of practice is constrained, NPs treat patients in collaboration with a supervising physician.
4. Caring for geriatric emergencies
Emergency treatment for the elderly is frequently complicated by issues like multiple morbidities, medications that may affect emergency drug protocols, and functional disabilities affecting mobility and cognition. Gerontological NPs are trained to plan for these, recognize them when they occur, and strategize effective interventions.
5. Patient education
Teaching elderly adults involves unique challenges. Some elderly patients may have cognitive impairment that makes complex sentences difficult to understand, while others may be affected by hearing loss. Gerontological NPs may need to use specialized teaching techniques to overcome these obstacles.
6. Case management
GNPs also create care plans customized to their patient’s specific needs.
Where Do Gerontological Nurse Practitioners Mostly Work? – Top 3 Work Settings
Gerontological nurse practitioners are employed in just about every healthcare setting that deals with the medical needs of individuals over the age of 60. Some of the most common work environments where they are to be found are:
1. Hospitals
In hospitals, GNPs perform both clinical and case management functions. Gerontological nurse practitioners with an acute care background may provide hands-on care for senior citizens admitted to intensive care units with decompensated heart conditions, severe infections, kidney failure, and other systemic issues. Acute gerontological NPs may also work in emergency departments. Both acute and primary care GNPs manage care by monitoring patients, tracking progress, collaborating with other healthcare providers, and facilitating transitions between levels of care.
2. Long-term care
In nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and other skilled nursing facilities, gerontological nurse practitioners are primarily employed as care managers and service coordinators.
3. Outpatient Clinics
Gerontological NPs who specialize in primary care may also work in outpatient clinics where they assess, diagnose, and treat patients. If they’re licensed in a state that supports NPs to practice to the full extent of their training, they can do this independently; if they’re licensed in a state with restricted practice authority for NPs, they will do this under the oversight of a supervising physician.
What Is The Typical Work Schedule And Work Hours Of A Gerontological NP?
Depending upon the facility where they’re employed, gerontological nurses can work a variety of schedules. Hospital-based GNPs may work 8- or 12-hour shifts that include weekends and holidays, while GNPs who work in ambulatory care tend to work more conventional hours. Gerontological nurse practitioners who are primarily concerned with case management also tend to work weekdays, 9 to 5.
What Education Is Required To Become A Gerontological Nurse Practitioner After High School?
Becoming a gerontological nurse practitioner takes six to ten years, depending upon the length of your undergraduate and graduate degree programs and how much experience you garner as an RN before you enroll in your nurse practitioner program.
First, you’ll need to become a registered nurse by enrolling in either an associate nursing degree (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Master’s of Nursing Science (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees both offer NP specializations. Both degrees generally require applicants to have one or two years of patient experience before entrance into the program. Most gerontological nurse practitioners opt to get certified as either adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners or adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Gerontological NP After High School?
Program Type | Program Length |
BSN | 36 to 48 Months |
BSN-to-MSN (NP) | 12 to 24 Months |
BSN-to-DNP (NP) | 36 to 48 Months |
How Much Does It Cost To Become A Gerontological NP After High School?
Program Type | Program Cost |
BSN | $8,990 - $226,030 |
BSN-to-MSN (NP) | $21,360 - $208,040 |
BSN-to-DNP (NP) | $29,240 - $285,640 |
What Is The Step-By-Step Process Of Becoming A Gerontological Nurse Practitioner After High School?
(The following is a step-by-step process to become a Gerontological NP after high school.)
STEP #1: Graduate from a nursing program
To become a gerontological NP, you must successfully complete an ADN or BSN program. A BSN is a prerequisite for the APRN program you’ll need to graduate from to become a nurse practitioner, so if you do go the ADN route, at some point, you’ll have to enroll in an RN-to-BSN program.
STEP #2: Pass the NCLEX-RN exam
You must successfully complete the NCLEX-RN exam to qualify for registered nursing state licensure.
STEP #3: Get an RN job caring for a geriatric patient population
Few graduate nursing programs admit RNs without professional experience; most require one or two years of patient experience. Working on a med/surg hospital ward or in a long-term care facility will help you attain the types of experience working with geriatric patient populations that will be most useful given your goal.
STEP #4: Get gerontological nursing certification
The preeminent gerontological certification for registered nurses is the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Gerontological Nursing Certification (GERO-BC.)
STEP #5: Graduate from an NP program
While “gerontological nurse practitioner” is not one of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) core population-specific NP frameworks per se, there is a great deal of overlap between gerontological nurse practitioners and adult-gerontology nurse practitioners. Many AGNP programs in the U.S. prepare APRNs to deliver high-quality, patient-centered acute and primary care for senior citizens. It will take you one to two years to complete AGNP studies associated with an MSN degree and three to four years to complete AGNP studies associated with a DNP degree.
STEP #6: Pass the NP certification exam
All states require nurse practitioners to pass a certification exam in their field of expertise. ANCC offers certifications for adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners (AGACNP) and adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners (AGPCNP).
Additionally, the Gerontological Advance Practice Nurses Association offers an APRN Gerontological Specialist certification in conjunction with the Gerontology Nursing Certification Commission (GNCC.)
STEP #7: Pursue a geriatric nurse practitioner fellowship or residency program
The field of geriatrics and gerontology offers several fellowships and residencies for nurse practitioners. (See below.)
STEP #8: Join professional gerontological organizations
Joining professional associations like the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and the American Geriatrics Society has many advantages. First and foremost, it signals potential employers that you’re serious about your decision to become a gerontological nurse practitioner. Membership frequently involves significant discounts on continuing education classes, networking opportunities with many prominent names in your chosen field, and the ability to influence policy and practice standards.
STEP #9: Get an APRN job working with a geriatric patient population
Skilled gerontological nurse practitioners are highly sought after. By 2030, population experts estimate that fully 20 percent of the American population will be older than 65. While these older Americans are generally healthier than previous generations, it still can’t be overlooked that age is linked to an increase in chronic health conditions and disabilities. There are and will continue to be many employment options for gerontological nurse practitioners.
What Are The Required Or Recommended Certifications For Gerontological Nurse Practitioners?
See above.
Are There Any Fellowship Or Residency Programs Available For Gerontological Nurse Practitioners?
As noted, the field of geriatrics and gerontology provides several fellowships and residencies for nurse practitioners. Among the more prominent are programs offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at the VA Hospital in Los Angeles, Community Health Center’s Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Residency Training Program in Middletown, Connecticut, and Erie Family Health Centers Advancing Practice Fellowship in Chicago, Illinois.
What Is The Starting Salary Of A New Grad Gerontological Nurse Practitioner?
Right out of school, a gerontological nurse practitioner can look forward to earning $97,990 annually. This works out to $47.11 hourly, $1,884 weekly, or $8,170 monthly.
Hourly | $47.11 |
Weekly | $1,884 |
Monthly | $8,170 |
Annual | $97,990 |
What Is The Average Salary Of A Gerontological Nurse Practitioner?
The average gerontological nurse practitioner salary is $133,190 a year, which amounts to $64.03 an hour, $2,561 a week, or $11,100 a month. Most gerontological NPs will reach this benchmark in their tenth year of practice.
Hourly | $64.03 |
Weekly | $2,561 |
Monthly | $11,100 |
Annual | $133,190 |
What Is The Salary By Level Of Experience Of A Gerontological NP?
Experienced gerontological nurse practitioners earn more than entry-level ones because they have better critical thinking and hands-on skills. A GNP with one to four years of experience will make $110,870 annually—a bump of 13 percent over GNPs who are new to the job market ($97,990.) A GNP with five to nine years of experience makes 34 percent more ($130,880), while a GNP with 10 to 19 years of experience makes 49 percent more ($145,750.) Gerontological nurse practitioners with two or more decades of experience can expect to earn salaries that are 78 percent higher ($174,180) than those of their counterparts straight out of graduate school.
Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
Entry-Level | $47.11 | $1,884 | $8,170 | $97,990 |
1-4 Years of Experience | $53.30 | $2,132 | $9,240 | $110,870 |
5-9 Years of Experience | $62.92 | $2,517 | $10,910 | $130,880 |
10-19 Years of Experience | $70.07 | $2,803 | $12,150 | $145,750 |
20 Years or More Experience | $83.74 | $3,350 | $14,520 | $174,180 |
What Is The Average Salary Of A Gerontological NP By State?
State | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
Alabama | $54.83 | $2,193 | $9,500 | $114,040 |
Alaska | $62.88 | $2,515 | $10,900 | $130,790 |
Arizona | $66.06 | $2,643 | $11,450 | $137,410 |
Arkansas | $56.52 | $2,261 | $9,800 | $117,560 |
California | $80.50 | $3,220 | $13,950 | $167,450 |
Colorado | $60.79 | $2,432 | $10,540 | $126,450 |
Connecticut | $68.26 | $2,731 | $11,830 | $141,990 |
Delaware | $65.34 | $2,614 | $11,330 | $135,910 |
Florida | $59.66 | $2,386 | $10,340 | $124,090 |
Georgia | $60.38 | $2,415 | $10,470 | $125,580 |
Hawaii | $66.09 | $2,643 | $11,460 | $137,460 |
Idaho | $62.07 | $2,483 | $10,760 | $129,110 |
Illinois | $63.24 | $2,530 | $10,960 | $131,540 |
Indiana | $61.46 | $2,458 | $10,650 | $127,830 |
Iowa | $65.20 | $2,608 | $11,300 | $135,610 |
Kansas | $59.44 | $2,378 | $10,300 | $123,630 |
Kentucky | $55.00 | $2,200 | $9,530 | $114,410 |
Louisiana | $59.14 | $2,366 | $10,250 | $123,010 |
Maine | $61.27 | $2,451 | $10,620 | $127,440 |
Maryland | $63.78 | $2,551 | $11,060 | $132,670 |
Massachusetts | $71.77 | $2,871 | $12,440 | $149,280 |
Michigan | $60.14 | $2,406 | $10,420 | $125,090 |
Minnesota | $67.28 | $2,691 | $11,660 | $139,950 |
Mississippi | $58.55 | $2,342 | $10,150 | $121,790 |
Missouri | $58.15 | $2,326 | $10,080 | $120,950 |
Montana | $62.12 | $2,485 | $10,770 | $129,200 |
Nebraska | $60.64 | $2,426 | $10,510 | $126,130 |
Nevada | $74.09 | $2,964 | $12,840 | $154,110 |
New Hampshire | $65.15 | $2,606 | $11,290 | $135,520 |
New Jersey | $72.28 | $2,891 | $12,530 | $150,340 |
New Mexico | $68.16 | $2,726 | $11,810 | $141,770 |
New York | $71.18 | $2,847 | $12,340 | $148,050 |
North Carolina | $60.60 | $2,424 | $10,500 | $126,040 |
North Dakota | $63.67 | $2,547 | $11,040 | $132,430 |
Ohio | $61.23 | $2,449 | $10,610 | $127,360 |
Oklahoma | $61.96 | $2,478 | $10,740 | $128,880 |
Oregon | $72.24 | $2,889 | $12,520 | $150,250 |
Pennsylvania | $63.51 | $2,541 | $11,010 | $132,110 |
Rhode Island | $66.51 | $2,660 | $11,530 | $138,340 |
South Carolina | $58.28 | $2,331 | $10,100 | $121,220 |
South Dakota | $60.29 | $2,412 | $10,450 | $125,410 |
Tennessee | $51.69 | $2,068 | $8,960 | $107,510 |
Texas | $64.79 | $2,592 | $11,230 | $134,770 |
Utah | $63.70 | $2,548 | $11,040 | $132,500 |
Vermont | $62.84 | $2,514 | $10,890 | $130,710 |
Virginia | $60.24 | $2,409 | $10,440 | $125,290 |
Washington | $72.46 | $2,898 | $12,560 | $150,720 |
West Virginia | $56.54 | $2,262 | $9,800 | $117,600 |
Wisconsin | $63.95 | $2,558 | $11,090 | $133,020 |
Wyoming | $61.58 | $2,463 | $10,670 | $128,080 |
What Is The Job Outlook Like For This Career?
As a gerontological nurse practitioner, you should be able to land a job with an excellent salary. Demand for gerontological nurse practitioners is expected to jump by 45 percent between 2022 and 2032.
Useful Organizations And Associations
My Final Thoughts
This article has answered the question, “What is a gerontological nurse practitioner?” If you’ve been looking for a nursing niche that combines a comfortable salary with a high degree of autonomy, a variety of practice settings, and a considerable amount of job security, this could well be the profession for you. Gerontological nurse practitioners work with one of the most vulnerable patient populations, acting as advocates and sources of emotional support as well as clinicians. Now that you know more about the role of the gerontological nurse practitioner – what do they do, steps-to-become, and salary—are you interested in testing the waters further? Try volunteering at a local senior citizen center or a nursing home to learn if this population is one you will enjoy working with.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered
1. On Average, How Much Does A Gerontological NP Make Per Hour?
The average salary of a Gerontological nurse practitioner per hour is $64.03.
2. On Average, How Much Does A Gerontological NP Make Per Week?
The average salary of a Gerontological nurse practitioner per week is $2,561.
3. On Average, How Much Does A Gerontological NP Make Per Month?
The average salary of a Gerontological nurse practitioner per month is $11,100.
4. On Average, How Much Does A Gerontological NP Make Per Year?
The average salary of a Gerontological nurse practitioner per year is $133,190.
List Of Sources Used For This Article
1. Population Reference Bureau: Fact Sheet: Aging in the United States:
https://www.prb.org/resources/fact-sheet-aging-in-the-united-states/
2. The National Council on Aging: The Top 10 Most Common Chronic Conditions in Older Adults:
https://www.ncoa.org/article/the-top-10-most-common-chronic-conditions-in-older-adults
3. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society: Emergency Department Interventions for Older Adults: A Systematic Review:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6677239/
4. The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education:
https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/0/PDFs/Publications/Essentials-2021.pdf
5. The American Nurses Credentialing Center: Our Certifications:
https://www.nursingworld.org/our-certifications
6. Center for Elders and the Court: Demographics of the Aging Population:
https://www.eldersandcourts.org/aging/introduction
7. American Nurses Credentialing Center: Gerontological Nursing Certification (GERO-BC™):
https://www.nursingworld.org/our-certifications/gerontological-nurse/
8. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: https://www.va.gov/greater-los-angeles-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/nurse-residency-programs/geriatric-and-extended-care-nurse-practitioner/
9. Community Health Center:
https://www.npresidency.com/program/adult-gerontology-nurse-practitioner/
10. Advancing Practice Erie Family Health Centers Pos-Graduate APRN Fellowship: https://www.eriefamilyhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/AdPrac-APRN-Fly-and-FAQs-2024-03.pdf
Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
Pattie Trumble is a nurse who worked in both California and New York for many years as an emergency room nurse. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing. After 10 years of providing direct care, she went back to school and earned concurrent Master’s degrees in both public policy and public health from the University of California, Berkeley. Thereafter, she worked for various public health agencies in California at both the community and state levels providing economic and legislative analysis.