Many people are aware of the fact that nurse practitioners are vital primary care providers for millions of patients across the United States, and one of the multitudes of specialties that a nurse practitioner can choose to devote themselves to is adult gerontology primary care.
Adult gerontology primary care is likely to become increasingly important with the rising aging population in the US, and an adult gerontology primary care nurse can offer patients a variety of services and care.
The responsibilities of an adult gerontology primary care nurse
An adult gerontology primary care nurse is a nurse practitioner who specializes in offering care to patients who range in age from adolescents to adults and the elderly.
They offer chronic, preventative and acute healthcare services and coordinate with other healthcare providers and specialty physicians as required.
Adult gerontology primary care nurses are responsible for the diagnosis, examination and treatment of patients and also provide assessments, immunizations, individual health counseling and education, and routine checkups.
Education is a major part of the average day of an adult gerontology primary care nurse as part of theirjob is to develop a close relationship with their patients to enable the development and implementation of disease prevention and healthy lifestyle plans.
These plans can often include physical therapy, diet, exercise and any medications that may have been prescribed.
An adult gerontology primary care nurse also has to work with the families of their patients to ensure they are informed and involved and can give the patient the necessary support.
Where does an adult gerontology primary care nurse practice?
Although the laws surrounding the scope of practice for adult gerontology primary care nurses can vary between different states, many states allow them to have their own practice where they provide care to patients in an office or at home.
Adult gerontology primary care nurses can also find employment in a wide array of organizations, including:
- Assisted living facilities and long–term care
- Correctional centers
- Healthcare clinics
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Rehabilitation centers
- Other settings that offer primary care services
Why choose adult gerontology primary care nursing?
It can be difficult to make a major career decision, but there are a number of advantages that drive peopleto become an adult gerontology primary care nurse.
One benefit of becoming an adult gerontology primary care nurse is the greater responsibility and autonomy that they are afforded, allowing them to independently meet with and assess patients.
The profession has also been predicted to grow by as much as 52% by 2029, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, which makes it one of the country’s fastest–growing professions and guarantees a wide number of job opportunities for those aspiring to join the field.
Another advantage of becoming an adult gerontology primary care nurse is the fairly high average median wage they earn annually, which the US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts at around $109,820.
The number of people in the United States who will be aged 65 or over is likely to have risen to around 95 million by the year 2060, according to figures from the Population Reference Bureau.
This rapidly aging population will be a challenge for the American healthcare system and one it may not be ready for, with only around 6,000 specialist physicians with gerontology credentials, according to Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education data from 2019.
Gerontology nurses are therefore becoming increasingly relied upon to fill this expanding gap, and their help and expertise is invaluable.
Nurses who would like to become a nurse practitioner specializing in adult gerontology primary care can pursue an advanced nursing degree so that they can expand their existing knowledge and help to fill that gap.
Gerontology itself is the study of the process of aging and examines the effects and causes of illnesses related to age in human beings.
Adult gerontology primary care nurses are focused on caring for and treating adults from early adulthood to later in life, with the latter having particularly unique needs as the body stops developing after it has reached maturity. When patients age, their bodies become less capable of dealing with stressors and their ability to heal declines.
Age-related changes that take place in adults include:
- Decreased respiratory strength
- Higher chances of infection
- A reduction in bone density
The goals of adult gerontology primary care nursing
The goal of an adult gerontology primary care nurse is to offer the highest–quality care to adult patients,including protecting, promoting, restoring and optimizing health and functions.
This care includes the prevention of injury and disease, helping with the process of healing, easing the impact of disease, and advocating for the health of their patients.
The duties of an adult gerontology primary care nurse
The duties of an adult gerontology primary care nurse can vary depending on the individual needs of each patient.
Nurses can provide help with activities of daily living such as bathing, eating, walking and dressing and may also be responsible for monitoring vital signs and administering medications, often alongside a physician but sometimes independently.
How to become an adult gerontology primary care nurse
To become an adult-gerontology primary care nurse, it will be necessary to acquire an Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree or Master’s of Science in Nursing, such as the online program offered by Spring Arbor University that allows students to earn their qualification in a faith–based environment.
Career paths for adult gerontology primary care nurses
The role of an adult gerontology primary care nurse includes assessing, diagnosing and treating conditions that are often found in community–based settings such as cardiology, dermatology, oncology and orthopedics. However, the scope of the duties of an adult gerontology primary care nurse can actually go far beyond this.
When working with adults and the elderly, the responsibilities of an adult gerontology primary care nurse include building relationships to earn trust and offer the highest–quality care possible. This will involve monitoring the health of these patients and conducting evaluations, performing annual checkups and educating patients on exercise and lifestyle choices, such as their diet.
What are the differences between adult gerontology primary care and acute care?
Adult gerontology primary care is focused on preventative care and the promotion of health education while helping with the management of long–term health problems, while adult gerontology acute care is focused on the treatment of existing illnesses, the diagnosis and development of treatment plans for patients, and the prescription of medicine.
Adult gerontology primary care nurses work in community clinics, long–term care facilities, or private practice, or they may deliver home healthcare. Adult gerontology acute care nurses work in hospitals or inpatient settings.
Adult gerontology acute care nurses generally earn slightly more than adult gerontology primary care nurses, with the former taking home an average salary of $118,000 per year, compared to the latter’s median annual salary of $112,000.
Adult gerontology primary care nurse skills
There are several skills that are required to be effective in the role of an adult gerontology primary care nurse.
Adult gerontology primary care nurses have to be strong patient advocates and positive role models while providing high–quality care and encouraging fellow nurses to expand their own knowledge.
It is also important for adult gerontology primary care nurses to have strong analytical skills so they canprovide a full assessment of the health needs of their patients, including a thorough examination of their health status and medical history and an evaluation of environmental factors such as social activities and home care, prior to providing a health plan. Sometimes nurses may have to work with family members or caregivers to obtain health information if a patient is unable to share it.
Critical thinking is another vital skill required of adult gerontology primary care nurses as they have to be thorough in their care plans and continually evaluate the status of their patients’ help, recommending illness prevention and treatment solutions while working with other health professionals such asphysiotherapists or home care workers.
Adult gerontology primary care nurses also need to have good communication skills to effectively deal with patients, particularly the elderly. This may require spending additional time and speaking more slowlywith patients who suffer from hearing loss, while also being patient with those suffering from memory loss or delirium.
Working as an adult gerontology primary care nurse can be a challenging but very rewarding career that enables you to make a difference in the lives of others.
