New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, in collaboration with the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, offers a post-master's Advanced Certificate in Gerontology program. This program is most applicable for (1) adult nurse practitioners who need the gerontology content to meet eligibility requirements for the national Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification exam; (2) nurse practitioners who want to further their ability to provide comprehensive interprofessional primary care to older adults with multiple chronic conditions; and (3) nurse practitioners who want to further their knowledge in gerontology.
The advanced certificate in gerontology addresses a need for adult nurse practitioners prepared in the care of adults prior to the adoption of The Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification & Education endorsed in 2008 by 48 nursing organizations. The program provides nurse practitioners in primary care with the ability to (1) have advanced knowledge and skills in the management of complex, frail, community dwelling older adults with multiple chronic conditions, and (2) implement effective care for this growing population within a high functioning, interprofessional team that utilizes evidence-based practice to achieve quality outcomes. The curriculum incorporates Interprofessional Education and Practice (IPEP) online modules to provide clinicians with information about caring for older adults in interprofessional teams.
The advanced certificate in gerontology is a minimum one-year, 12-credit (4 courses) post-master's certificate program focusing on interprofessional primary care to older adults with multiple chronic conditions. A gap analysis is completed to make sure these courses would be sufficient for certification or if additional courses are needed. There are approximately 250 precepted clinical hours in primary care gerontology, also based on GAP analysis, to be completed to meet competencies.
The 4 main courses are:
- Advanced Pathophysiology, Pharmacotherapeutics, and Physical assessment for Older Adults;
- Primary Care of the Older Adult with Multiple Chronic Conditions;
- Primary Care of the Frail Older Adult with Multiple Chronic Conditions;
Clinical Intensive in Interprofessional Care of Older Adults (one-week executive format course with medical residents at NYU School of Medicine).