|
|
University of California, San Francisco | About UCSF | Search UCSF | UCSF Medical Ctr. advancing health worldwide™ | |
 |
Masters Specialty Area
| FYI/Facts: Gerontological Advanced Practice Nursing | |
|---|---|
|
 |
The Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurse
Due in large part to the aging population, health care providers have become increasingly aware of the complex needs of older adults - and of the need for more advanced practice gerontological nurses to help meet those needs.
Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialists care for older adults in a variety of settings, including Adult Day Health Care facilities, home health agencies, hospitals, nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, long-term care facilities, or private physician offices. Some gerontological nurse specialists also work in research, administration, and education; others pursue an entrepreneurial path by becoming case managers or consultants.
Gerontological Nurse Practitioners provide primary care for older adults. They practice in hospital-based and freestanding clinics, home care, community agencies such as Adult Day Health Centers, private physician offices, nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, and long-term care institutions. In treating acute and chronic illnesses common in the older adult population, Gerontological Nurse Practitioners work in collaboration with physician consultants as well as other members of the health care team such as social workers, therapists and nursing personnel.
| Quick-Links: Gerontological Advanced Practice Nursing | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | · | Program | · | Faculty | · | Alumni | · | Courses | · | Questions | · | Applying |
| "The outstanding reputation of UCSF School of Nursing has given me additional 'weight' on the job, which has given me more options and more opportunities to make a contribution." Larry Lemos, RN, MS, CNS |
The Gerontological Advanced Practice Nursing Program seeks to develop outstanding clinicians and leaders in the field of gerontological nursing. As students earn masters degrees, they complete coursework geared to becoming either a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner, and gain clinical experience with older adult patients across a broad range of settings and clinical complexity.
Nationally recognized faculty members serve as mentors and individual academic advisors and help students tailor programs to their specific career goals. Part of the advisor's role is to arrange clinical training experiences in hospitals, community care sites, home health agencies, public and government clinics, long-term care facilities, HMO-operated facilities and private practices.
All students complete courses in:
Clinical nurse specialist students complete courses in outcome measurement and program development, whereas nurse practitioner students complete courses that focus on nutrition and medical and nursing management of common acute and chronic illnesses.
In addition, a new dual option--Clinical Nurse Specialist in Gerontology/Genomics--prepares graduates for emerging roles in genetics as it influences the care of older adults and their families. Genomics, or the study of genes and their functions, is advancing our understanding of aging, the effectiveness of therapeutic agents, and the onset of chronic illnesses. In addition to the courses offered within the CNS option, this dual program offers courses in basic genetics, medical genetics, and ethical and policy issues related to genomics. Clinical experiences are available in clinical practice sites as well as in settings that enhance understanding of genetic technology and genetic analyses. Graduates are eligible for certification as a CNS through the California Board of Registered Nursing and as a Gerontological CNS through the American Nurses' Credentialing Center (ANCC).
To support working nurses and family life, courses typically are concentrated on campus on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. During the first year of both programs, students also spend one day per week practicing new skills in the clinical setting. During the second year, classes remain primarily on Tuesdays and Wednesday, but most students then are in the clinical training setting two full-days per week. Presently, there are a limited number of courses available in a distance-learning format. Opportunities to participate in faculty members' research projects or train alongside program faculty members are frequently available.
| Quick-Links: Gerontological Advanced Practice Nursing | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | · | Program | · | Faculty | · | Alumni | · | Courses | · | Questions | · | Applying |
Dr. Jeanie Kayser-Jones, RN, Ph.D., FAAN, is recognized nationally and internationally for her rigorous, systematic investigation of problems that influence the quality of care and the quality of life of nursing home residents. Her interdisciplinary program of research has focused on the social, cultural, clinical, and environmental factors that influence that care. Her work appears in nursing, gerontology, social science, medicine, and law journals, as well as in numerous lay publications, on the radio, and on websites. The National Institutes of Health has consistently awarded her extramural funding for her research.
"Throughout my career, I have directed my research efforts toward improving the quality of care and the quality of life of older people who spend the last days of their lives in nursing homes. That commitment to improved care is what I try to impart to my students."
Dr. Carole Deitrich, MS, RN, GNP, is a clinical professor in the department of physiological nursing. She developed the gerontological advanced practice program in 1981 and served either as its coordinator or director through 2000. During those years, the program developed from continuing education with an emphasis on nursing home care to a master's degree program with clinical emphasis across settings and covering the spectrum of health status in older adults.
Since 1997, Professor Deitrich has had the unique opportunity to practice as a geriatric nurse practitioner and faculty member at Laguna Honda Hospital, a long-term care facility (over 1,000 beds) operated by the city and county of San Francisco. In collaboration with designated staff physicians, she is responsible for the primary care of a caseload of patients and provides clinical experiences for gerontological nurse practitioner students.
"In most long-term care facilities there is no onsite supervision available and it is difficult for students to have clinical experience in such settings. The learning opportunities at Laguna Honda, therefore, are especially rich for our students because of the complexity of the residents, who present both with the usual medical illnesses and with the particular changes of aging."
| Quick-Links: Gerontological Advanced Practice Nursing | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | · | Program | · | Faculty | · | Alumni | · | Courses | · | Questions | · | Applying |
Larry Lemos, RN, MS, CNS
"After graduating from the UCSF Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist program, I've held a variety of positions including management, nursing education and clinical consultation. My generalist training allows me to work in any aging-related setting, but I have the option to enter into a sub-specialty area as well. Presently, I'm a CNS at the Nursing Unit of the VA Medical Center in San Francisco.
"The outstanding reputation of UCSF School of Nursing has given me additional 'weight' on the job, which has given me more options and more opportunities to make a contribution. During my time there, I liked the fact that half of the training was classroom and half in the clinical setting. You certainly cannot possibly learn all that you need to know while in graduate school, but you do leave the program with a solid set of tools that you can build on."
Jennifer Serafin, RN, MS, CS, GNP
"I graduated in 1999 from the Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Program and was hired as the first gerontological nurse practitioner at the Jewish Home, San Francisco. My practice includes direct patient care, emergent evaluations, incontinence consultation, clinical evaluations, team rounds, conferencing and staff education. I believe the true pleasure of advanced practice nursing lie in the increased autonomy, advancement of clinical practice knowledge, skill development and attainment of expertise.
"My time at UCSF School of Nursing allowed me to go beyond the scope of basic nursing knowledge to increase my understanding and use of diagnostic skills and therapies that can deliver optimal care for the older adult. I had the invaluable experience of working with Carole Deitrich at Laguna Honda Hospital, which prepared me extremely well for my first advanced-practice job. I learned more than I ever could have imagined . . .
"The master's degree from UCSF allows me to practice more autonomously and to be directly involved in clinical decision-making. (When people hear that I graduate from UCSF, I feel I get immediate respect. Being that I am a fairly young nurse, I think it also puts residents and families at ease.) The critical thinking skills and clinical knowledge I gained in graduate school have positioned me to confidently take on many different duties in providing effective and efficient care to older adults."
| Quick-Links: Gerontological Advanced Practice Nursing | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | · | Program | · | Faculty | · | Alumni | · | Courses | · | Questions | · | Applying |
Consult the specialty coordinator for information on course requirements in the Gerontological specialty.
See below for Certification Eligibility.
Q: Are Gerontological nurse practitioners restricted to caring for older adults exclusively?
A: No, in the state of California, certification as a nurse practitioner does not limit the nurse to caring for a specific part of the population. The GNP foundational courses are part of the school's "Primary Care Core" series. Courses in this series are presented from the adult perspective. Gerontological specialty courses provide additional instruction in areas important in the care of older adults.
However, board certification eligibility through ANCC is restricted. Graduates are only allowed to sit for the certification exam that corresponds with their specialty training program. In other words, GNP program graduates cannot take the ANCC Adult Nurse Practitioner certification examination.
Q: How many hours per week can the full-time gerontological nursing student reasonably work in addition to attending classes and clinical sessions?
A: In general, organized and dedicated students can work 2-3 days/week in addition to their studies. In planning, please keep in mind that graduate-level education is more intensive than baccalaureate-level and requires more independent work. A good rule of thumb is to plan three hours of study/class preparation for each one hour spent in the classroom. Clinical sessions also require preparation time, such as looking up an answer to a clinical problem encountered or preparing a brief presentation in response to a preceptor's question.
Q: I need to work to help support my family. Is there a part-time study option?
A: Yes there is! Program faculty members understand the multiple pressures many graduate nursing students face. We do have a pat-time three-year curriculum option for both tracks. During the first year, students attend classes on campus only one day/week and do not participate in any clinical training activities. During the second and third years of the program, students are on campus generally two days/week and are in the clinical setting 1-2 days/week. Unfortunately, we are not able offer courses or clinical training opportunities over the summer months.
Q: I'm interested in geriatric nursing but not sure if the nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist role is right for me. Help!
A: This is very common. Program faculty members are happy to meet with you to discus your career goals as well as clarify the difference between the roles. Feel free to contact the program director to arrange an appointment. You are also welcome to visit the campus, sit in on a class session and meet with students in the program. Just call the program director to make arrangements.
Q: What can I do to make my application really stand out?
A: A well thought out, well-presented goal statement makes a big impression on reviewers. Evidence of a sincere commitment to and experience in geriatric nursing is always well received. Reviewers also carefully consider letters of recommendation. The best recommendation letter comes from someone who is familiar with the rigors of graduate school and is well informed regarding your current skills and careers goals. Such thoughtful insights assist the reviewer in determining if the program fits your goals and helps to predict your success in the program.
For Clinical Nurse Specialist track graduates:
Upon graduation, eligible for certification as "Clinical Nurse Specialist" through the California Board of Registered Nursing (no examination required) and eligible to sit for national board certification as a "Clinical Specialist in Gerontological Nursing" through American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC; examination required).
For Nurse Practitioner track graduates:
Upon graduation, eligible for certification as a "Nurse Practitioner" through the California Board of Registered Nursing (no examination required) and eligible to sit for national board certification as a "Gerontological Nurse Practitioner" through American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC; examination required).
| Quick-Links: Gerontological Advanced Practice Nursing | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | · | Program | · | Faculty | · | Alumni | · | Courses | · | Questions | · | Applying |
| Site Map: UCSF School of Nursing | | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | about the school |  |
| prospective students | |
| faculty, departments | |
| (You are Here) masters specialties | |
| research activities | |
| current students | |
| news/ events | |
| alumni/ friends |
| Search (nurseweb.ucsf.edu) | ||||||||||||||
| Revised: Feb. 2008 | Contact: info@nursing.ucsf.edu · © Copyright 2008 University of California Regents, All Rights Reserved. | |||||||||||||
