ANP/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (ANP/GNP)
Are you interested in developing expertise in older adult care while having a scope of practice that includes adolescents and younger adults? This dual certification has a focus on older adult health while preparing you in adult primary care.
What Will You Do as a Dually-certified ANP/GNP?
You will be prepared to meet the primary care demands of the entire adult patient population (adolescents and adults ages 12 and up), while meeting the unique health care needs of the geriatric population. This rapidly growing population – including young-old, old, frail and old-old adults – has unique health care needs. Projections suggest that many of these individuals will reside in some form of skilled nursing facility, yet these facilities are not limited to older adults. They also serve young adults who are the victims of devastating illness, traffic accidents or drug abuse. With the ANP/GNP, your dual certification permits caring for patients 12 and up residing in a variety of clinical settings, including those in long-term care and assisted living facilities.
Program Overview
The ANP/GNP dual focus program provides a broad foundation in adult primary care with a significant emphasis on disease prevention and health promotion. Students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to assess, diagnose and manage common acute and chronic adult health problems including the unique aspects related to geriatric care. In addition, they will be prepared to educate and counsel patients on health maintenance and disease prevention. Students also gain an understanding of the U.S. health care delivery system.
Geriatric Coordinator
Jennifer Kim, MSN, APRN, BC
Ms. Kim is a certified Gerontological Nurse Practitioner and graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Nursing's MSN program in 1997. She became the geriatrics focus area coordinator of the ANP program in 2002 and coordinates all mandatory geriatric coursework for MSN students at the school. Ms. Kim has extensive experience in nursing practice with older adults in a variety of clinical settings. She has also focused on care of the elderly in many scholarly activities, including numerous publications and educational presentations throughout the last five years on topics such as dementia, physical care and safety & elder neglect. Ms. Kim is a member of the National Conference of Gerontological Nurse Practitioners and the National Gerontological Nurses Association. She also serves on the Clinical Issues committee of the board of directors of Guardianship and Trust Corporation and participates in committee work with Nashville’s Council on Aging.
Modified Class Schedule
The ANP/GNP specialty program is one of several specialties at Vanderbilt School of Nursing offered in a modified learning (block) format that allows students to attend graduate school without having to relocate or give up employment. Distance and distributed course delivery methods, courses offered in blocks of time on campus (including weekends), online conferencing, and clinical practicum placement in your home area where possible let you earn your MSN degree without being away from home for extended periods.
Credentials and Certification
Graduation from the MSN program prepares you for licensure and “approval to practice” as a Registered Nurse (RN) in every state. You also will be eligible to sit for examination for the applicable certification, and eligible for prescriptive authority in all 50 states, with restrictions as specified by each state. Visit Credentialing and Certification for specific information.
