Adult­-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult-­gerontology NPs provide comprehensive care, including wellness and acute and chronic illness care to patients from late­ adolescence through adulthood to the elderly. They emphasize health promotion, disease prevention and comprehensive gerontological assessment. They practice in a wide variety of locations that include hospitals, urgent and primary care settings, community clinics, long­term care facilities and private practice.

The adult-­gero NP major requires 41 hours of coursework, plus about 600 hours of clinicals. The coursework is usually completed within 18 months (four semesters) for full-­time students, and courses are offered in a distance-friendly format.


Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner - Sample Curriculum

Fall Semester I Classes

Course ID Course Title Credits
NURS 405* Inquiry I - Theoretical Foundations 2
NURS 453 Advanced Pathophysiology 4
NURS 459 Advanced Physical Assessment 3
NUNP 410* Health Promotion Across the Lifespan 2
NURS 444A* Ethical Issues in Advanced Nursing Practice 1
  Total 12

Spring Semester I Classes

Course ID Course Title Credits
NURS 425* Inquiry II - Research Process 3
NURS 430 Advanced Pharmacology 3
NUNP 432^ Common and Acute Health Problems of the Adult and Older Adult 5
NURS 444B* Healthcare Delivery and Finance in Advanced Practice 1
NURS 451* Leadership for Quality Healthcare within Organizations and Systems 3
  Total 15

Summer Semester I Classes

Course ID Course Title Credits
NUNP 449^ Advanced Practice Nursing Care of the Older Adult 4
NURS 502* Inquiry III - Evidence-Based Practice 2
  Total 6

Fall Semester II Classes

Course ID Course Title Credits
NUNP 434^ Advanced Management in Adult and Older Adult Primary Care 5
NURS 444C* Health Policy, Legislation and Legal Issues in Advanced Practice 1
NURS 431* Psychosocial and Spiritual Dimensions of Advanced Nursing Practice 2
  Total 8

Accumulated Total Hours: 41

Note: The above curriculum is full­ time; part­-time plans also are available. The Advanced Practice Core courses (NURS 430, 453, 459) are co-­requisites or pre-requisites for the clinical nursing courses. Clinical nursing courses must be taken in the semester and sequence listed above. Clinical course availability is based upon enrollment.

* = Intensive Course, see MSN Intensives general schedule online for more information
^ = Clinical Course


Sample Full-­Time Curriculum: Prior to Fall 2015

First Year

Fall Semester I

Course ID Course Title Credits
NURS 405 Inquiry I: Theoretical Foundations 3
NURS 453 Advanced Pathophysiology 4
NURS 459 Assessment for Advanced Practice 3
NUNP 410 Health Promotion Across the Life Span 2
  Total 12

Spring Semester I

Course ID Course Title Credits
NURS 425 Inquiry II: The Research Process 3
NURS 430 Pharmacology and Therapeutics for the Advanced Practice Nurse 3
NUNP 432 Common + Acute Health Problems of the Adult and Older Adult 5
NURS 444B Health Care Delivery and Finance in Advanced Practice 1
NURS 431 Psychosocial and Spiritual Dimensions of Advanced Nursing Practice 2
  Total 14

Summer Semester I

Course ID Course Title Credits
NUNP 449 Primary Care of Older Adults 4
NURS 502 Inquiry III Evidenced Based Nursing Practice 2
  Total 6

Second Year

Fall Semester II

Course ID Course Title Credits
NUNP 434 Advanced Management in Adult and Older Adult Primary Care 5
NURS 503 Inquiry Practicum 1
NURS 444A Health Care Delivery, Legal and Ethical Issues in Advanced Practice: Ethical Issues 1
NURS 444C Health Care Delivery, Legal and Ethical Issues in Advanced Practice: Policy and Legal 1
NURS 443B Professionalism in Advanced Practice Role Development. 1
  Total 9

Accumulated Total Hours: 41