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