- Email: [email protected]
A New Model for APRN Geriatric Training
644_TJNP723_Hutt_CP
10/1/08
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Page 644
From the President
“ACNP seeks to ensure a solid policy and regulatory foundation for nurse practitioner practice which promotes affordable, high quality healthcare for all.”
The American College of Nurse Practitioners 1501 Wilson Blvd Suite 509 Arlington, VA 22209 Tel: 703-740-2529 Fax: 703-740-2533 Email: [email protected] Website: www.ACNPweb.org
2008 – 2009 Board of Directors and Staff Contacts President Julie Stanik-Hutt, PhD, ACNP, CCNS
President Elect Thad R. Wilson, APRN, BC, PhD
Treasurer Alison Mitchell, RN, MSN, ACNP-C
Secretary Laura Miller, MSN, FNP
Immediate Past-President Susan Apold, PhD, ANP
A New Model for APRN Geriatric Training ndividuals older than 65 compose 20% of the population, and the number of “frail elders” over 85 is expected to increase by 40%.1,2 These older Americans have particular age-related vulnerabilities and often comorbid chronic illnesses.1 Their age alone puts them in a class with others who suffer from health care disparities. While less than 5% of nurse practitioners (NPs) are certified in gerontology, many adult and family NPs provide care to elders in community and long-term care settings.3 Meanwhile, acute care NPs are hard-pressed to find a patient under 55 on their census. There is a critical need to expand “the number of geriatric specialists to provide care for those older adults with the most complex needs as well as to train the rest of the workforce in basic geriatric principles.”4 Two recent policy initiatives address the need for increased NP gerontology expertise. National nursing organizations have recommended a new model for APRN licensure, accreditation, certification, and education.5 They propose that, because care of older individuals is such a critical need, all NPs qualified to care for adults be better prepared to manage older adults’ health needs. In addition, ANCC, in collaboration with geriatric NP leaders, has created a geriatric NP certification option for NPs whose scope of practice already includes care of older adults. After completing targeted continuing education, these NPs may demonstrate their additional expertise by completing the GNP certification examination. Requirements for this alternative eligibility can be found on the ANCC website.6 I have already started to “re-tool” to improve the quality of care I provide to my patients and the preparation I provide to my NP students. I ask you to join us in reducing this health care disparity that we all will face someday.
I
Individual Member Representatives
References
Barbara A. Todd, MSN, CRNP, APRN-BC Marsha Siegel, EdD, FNP-C
1. Institute of Medicine. Retooling for an aging America: building the health care workforce. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2008. 2. Administration on Aging. Profile of older Americans. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2005. 3. Goolsby M. AANP National NP Sample Survey: Part I. J Am Acad Nurs Pract 2005;17:337-341. 4. Rowe JW. Testimony to the Special Committee on Aging. U.S. Senate. April 16, 2008. 5. APRN Consensus Work Group & NCSBN APRN Advisory Committee. Consensus model for APRN regulation: licensure, accreditation, certification & education. 2008. Available at: https://ncsbn.org/7_23_08_Consensue_APRN_Final.pdf. Accessed July 30, 2008. 6. American Nurses Credentialing Center. Gerontological nurse practitioner. Available at: http://www.nursecredentialing.org/NurseSpecialties/GerontologicalNP.aspx. Accessed July 30, 2008.
National Affiliate Representatives Susan Rawlins, MS, RNC, WHNP Jacqueline Rhoads, PhD, ACNP-BC, ANP-C, GNP, CCRN
State Affiliate Representatives Lois Rockcastle, RNC, MS, FNP Janet S. Selway, DNSc, CANP, CPNP
ACNP Staff Carolyn Hutcherson, CEO Cathryn Portillo, Manager, Member Services
Julie Stanik-Hutt, PhD, ACNP, CCNS ACNP President 2008 1555-4155/08/$ see front matter © 2008 American College of Nurse Practitioners doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2008.08.012
644
The Journal for Nurse Practitioners - JNP
October 2008
10/1/08
10:05 AM
Page 644
From the President
“ACNP seeks to ensure a solid policy and regulatory foundation for nurse practitioner practice which promotes affordable, high quality healthcare for all.”
The American College of Nurse Practitioners 1501 Wilson Blvd Suite 509 Arlington, VA 22209 Tel: 703-740-2529 Fax: 703-740-2533 Email: [email protected] Website: www.ACNPweb.org
2008 – 2009 Board of Directors and Staff Contacts President Julie Stanik-Hutt, PhD, ACNP, CCNS
President Elect Thad R. Wilson, APRN, BC, PhD
Treasurer Alison Mitchell, RN, MSN, ACNP-C
Secretary Laura Miller, MSN, FNP
Immediate Past-President Susan Apold, PhD, ANP
A New Model for APRN Geriatric Training ndividuals older than 65 compose 20% of the population, and the number of “frail elders” over 85 is expected to increase by 40%.1,2 These older Americans have particular age-related vulnerabilities and often comorbid chronic illnesses.1 Their age alone puts them in a class with others who suffer from health care disparities. While less than 5% of nurse practitioners (NPs) are certified in gerontology, many adult and family NPs provide care to elders in community and long-term care settings.3 Meanwhile, acute care NPs are hard-pressed to find a patient under 55 on their census. There is a critical need to expand “the number of geriatric specialists to provide care for those older adults with the most complex needs as well as to train the rest of the workforce in basic geriatric principles.”4 Two recent policy initiatives address the need for increased NP gerontology expertise. National nursing organizations have recommended a new model for APRN licensure, accreditation, certification, and education.5 They propose that, because care of older individuals is such a critical need, all NPs qualified to care for adults be better prepared to manage older adults’ health needs. In addition, ANCC, in collaboration with geriatric NP leaders, has created a geriatric NP certification option for NPs whose scope of practice already includes care of older adults. After completing targeted continuing education, these NPs may demonstrate their additional expertise by completing the GNP certification examination. Requirements for this alternative eligibility can be found on the ANCC website.6 I have already started to “re-tool” to improve the quality of care I provide to my patients and the preparation I provide to my NP students. I ask you to join us in reducing this health care disparity that we all will face someday.
I
Individual Member Representatives
References
Barbara A. Todd, MSN, CRNP, APRN-BC Marsha Siegel, EdD, FNP-C
1. Institute of Medicine. Retooling for an aging America: building the health care workforce. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2008. 2. Administration on Aging. Profile of older Americans. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2005. 3. Goolsby M. AANP National NP Sample Survey: Part I. J Am Acad Nurs Pract 2005;17:337-341. 4. Rowe JW. Testimony to the Special Committee on Aging. U.S. Senate. April 16, 2008. 5. APRN Consensus Work Group & NCSBN APRN Advisory Committee. Consensus model for APRN regulation: licensure, accreditation, certification & education. 2008. Available at: https://ncsbn.org/7_23_08_Consensue_APRN_Final.pdf. Accessed July 30, 2008. 6. American Nurses Credentialing Center. Gerontological nurse practitioner. Available at: http://www.nursecredentialing.org/NurseSpecialties/GerontologicalNP.aspx. Accessed July 30, 2008.
National Affiliate Representatives Susan Rawlins, MS, RNC, WHNP Jacqueline Rhoads, PhD, ACNP-BC, ANP-C, GNP, CCRN
State Affiliate Representatives Lois Rockcastle, RNC, MS, FNP Janet S. Selway, DNSc, CANP, CPNP
ACNP Staff Carolyn Hutcherson, CEO Cathryn Portillo, Manager, Member Services
Julie Stanik-Hutt, PhD, ACNP, CCNS ACNP President 2008 1555-4155/08/$ see front matter © 2008 American College of Nurse Practitioners doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2008.08.012
644
The Journal for Nurse Practitioners - JNP
October 2008