Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners' Role

As you may be aware, nurse practitioners play an important role in primary medical care for many patients.  Among the various specialties nurse practitioners may have, adult gerontology primary care is one that could increase in importance as the average age of the US population continues to rise. Today, we look at the care and services adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioners offer patients.

Responsibilities

An Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) is a type of a nurse practitioner who specializes in caring for patients from adolescence to adulthood to old age. AGPCNPs provide acute, chronic and preventive healthcare services, coordinating with specialty physicians and other healthcare providers as needed.

On top of diagnosing, examining and treating their patients, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners typically offer routine checkups, assessments, immunizations, and one-on-one health counseling and education. In fact, providing education is a large part of their day and these nurse practitioners work closely with their patients to develop and implement healthy lifestyle and disease prevention plans, often involving things like diet, exercise and physical therapy in addition to any prescribed medications. AGPCNPs will also work with a patient's family to make sure family members are as involved and informed as needed to support the patient.

Places of Practice

Although state laws vary regarding scope of practice for nurse practitioners, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners in many states may have their own private practice in which they see patients in an office or provide home care or do both. AGPCNP may also work in a range of organizations including:

•Long-term care and assisted living facilities

•Healthcare clinics

•Hospitals

•Rehabilitation centers

•Nursing homes

•Correctional centers and other settings with primary care services

Education

All Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners have achieved licensure and credentialing beyond what is required to work as a registered nurse (RN). To practice, every nurse practitioner must complete a master’s degree program, with many earning additional post graduate certificates and even doctoral degrees. Over the course of their career, nurse practitioners continue to grow and maintain their knowledge of healthcare by completing regular continuing education courses and workshops.

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