Gerontological Nurse Certification Practice Exam
Gerontological nurses work in nursing homes, long-term care facilities and community health organizations. They also work with elderly patients in their homes.
Nursing education needs to address the specialized skills required in geriatric nursing. This can be achieved by incorporating an adapted Person-Centered Nursing Framework into gerontological nursing. The framework was developed to ensure that older adults receive care that is centered on their individual needs and preferences.
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Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Salary
Adult gerontology nurse practitioners, or AGNPs, are in high demand due to an increasing aging population. They typically work in hospitals, outpatient care facilities, and educational services. A AGNP salary depends on many factors, including location and experience. Those with more education and experience will typically earn higher salaries than those with less education and experience.
AGNPs need to have strong analytical skills to understand their patients’ health needs and create the most effective treatment plan. They must thoroughly examine their patients’ medical history and reassess their health status regularly to ensure that they are receiving adequate care. They also need to be able to communicate effectively with their older patients, as many suffer from a condition that affects their memory or hearing.
Those interested in becoming an AGNP should begin by earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) and gaining experience as a registered nurse. Then, they should pursue a master of science in nursing (MSN) from an accredited program. These programs can take four years to complete for those who are just starting out, or longer for those with previous nursing degrees.
Gerontological Nurse Certification
The Gerontological Nurse Certification exam is a competency-based examination that measures entry-level clinical knowledge and skills of registered nurses in gerontology. Once eligibility requirements have been met to take the exam and it is successfully passed, a credential of Registered Nurse-Board Certified (GERO-BC) is awarded.
The exam has 150 questions, 125 of which are scored and 25 are pretest questions used for future exams. The content is centered around the nursing care of older adults in all settings, including community, home health, hospice and long-term care facilities.
To become a gerontological nurse, you must be a licensed registered nurse and have at least two years of full-time experience working in the field. You must also document 2,000 hours of clinical practice in geriatric nursing during the past three years. In addition, you must complete 30 hours of continuing education in geriatric nursing. You must also have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as you will frequently interact with aging patients and their family members. You must also have patience, as aging clients may move more slowly or need extra time to answer your questions.
Gerontological Nurse Certification Review
This intensive review course prepares nurses for the ANCC Gerontological Nurse Certification Exam. Designed to help you pass the exam, this review includes: step-by-step directives on how to best prepare for the test; a thorough content review presented according to the test blueprint; and over 500 examination-style questions with answers and rationales. It also offers strategies for improving test-taking skills, including clues to memorization and tips on prioritizing answers.
The course focuses on the four key domains of gerontological nursing: holistic care, disease prevention, health promotion and palliative care. The teaching strategies utilized are interactive, engaging and promote clinical application. This course is appropriate for RNs who work in community, long term care, primary and acute care settings.
To take the GERO certification exam you must have a current and unrestricted RN license and documentation of 2,000 hours of gerontological nursing practice within the past 3 years. You must also attend 30 continuing education gerontological nursing hours every three years. The ANCC requires a non-refundable fee to take the certification exam.
Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Association
As the population of older adults increases, so does the need for healthcare providers who specialize in this age group. Gerontological nurse practitioners provide primary healthcare services to patients as they grow older. They also work closely with geriatric doctors. Their job duties include providing physicals, analyzing tests, prescribing medication and coming up with care plans for patients.
A gerontological nurse practitioner can find work in acute care settings, private practices, ambulatory care, home health aide services and long-term care facilities. The Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Association provides continuing education and networking opportunities for advanced practice nurses who work with elderly patients.
LIU Brooklyn’s Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care (AGNP) program is designed to prepare nurse practitioners to be leaders in patient care. Students will have clinical experience in a variety of health care settings, including community and tertiary care hospitals, long-term and home healthcare programs and structured day health care services for the elderly. Students are also encouraged to pursue their own personal clinical interests.
Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Job Description
Gerontological nurse practitioners must have a strong desire to work with elderly patients and a deep understanding of their unique health needs. These nurse practitioners are also required to possess excellent communication and analytical problem-solving skills. In addition to assessing and diagnosing acute conditions, geriatric nurse practitioners are responsible for educating their patients about preventive care and disease management.
The first step to becoming a gerontological nurse practitioner is to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited nursing school. This may take four years, or you can attend an accelerated program for LPNs and LVNs to earn your BSN in as few as three years.
Once you have completed your BSN, you will need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), or the state licensing exam in your area of practice. From here, you can begin a career as an advanced practice registered nurse. Depending on your specialty, you can choose to focus on acute or primary care. Acute care NPs typically work in hospital emergency rooms or clinics, while primary care NPs provide general healthcare services.
How to Become a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
Geriatric nurse practitioners work in hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities. A gerontological nurse practitioner must be comfortable working with a wide variety of patients, especially those who may have hearing or vision problems. Some AGNPs also may have to repeat information or describe medical issues in a different way because elderly patients often have difficulty understanding them.
The best way to become a gerontological nurse practitioner is to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) and then pursue an MSN with a focus on geriatric nursing. Some schools offer accelerated programs for current registered nurses who wish to complete their MSN in a shorter period of time.
After earning a MSN, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses and then earn your nurse practitioner license from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Then you can start your career as an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner. The AGNP exam consists of 25 pre-test questions and 150 scored questions, and you have 3.5 hours to complete it. If you fail the exam, you can retake it 60 days later.
Roles of Gerontological Nurse as Advocate
A gerontological nurse is a healthcare advocate for elderly patients. They translate medical jargon, rationalize treatments and work with insurance companies to make sure that elderly patients are receiving the services they need. Gerontological nurses are also essential when it comes to educating patients and their families about the risks and side effects of certain medications, conditions and surgeries.
As the Baby Boomers age and more people live to be over 80, the demand for gerontological nurses is expected to increase significantly. While the field is not for everyone, it can be a rewarding career choice. Nurses who choose to specialize in geriatric care can take pride in helping their patients stay healthy and comfortable through the aging process.
The first step in becoming a gerontological nurse practitioner is earning a nursing degree. RNs can earn their degrees through one of three pathways: a one-year diploma program, an associate’s degree in nursing or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a college or university. To ensure quality education, students should look for a nursing school that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Council for Nursing Education.
Gerontological Nurse as Provider of Care
Geriatric nurses provide care to patients with a variety of health issues, including those related to aging. They can help to educate patients on how to improve their own health through lifestyle changes. They can also perform routine examinations and administer medication as needed.
Most gerontological nurses work in traditional healthcare settings, such as hospitals, community clinics, and physician offices. However, they can also find employment in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes and hospices. Some nurse practitioners choose to travel directly to patients’ homes to provide comprehensive home healthcare services.
The field of gerontology is a fast-growing niche because the aging baby boomer population is increasing demand for medical treatment in later life. If you are a registered nurse and would like to become a geriatric nurse, consider enrolling in an online RN-to-BSN program. USC Aiken’s RN to BSN program offers the flexibility you need while preparing you for the rewarding career of caring for older adults. Click here to learn more about how you can begin your journey
Gerontological Nurse Test Questions and Answers
Gerontological nursing is the area of nursing that focuses on caring for senior citizens. Gerontological nurses encourage healthy aging, optimum functionality, and quality of life by collaborating with older persons, their families, and communities.
The average yearly salary for a geriatric nurse practitioner in the United States as of June 1, 2025, is $127,587.
- Obtain a BSN, or bachelor of science in nursing.
- Succeed on the NCLEX-RN Certification Test.
- Obtain a master’s degree in nursing science.
- Be an RN with real-world experience.
- Pass the certification test for gerontological nurse practitioners.
A multi-disciplined primary healthcare clinician called a gerontological nurse practitioner assists patients in coping with the psychological, physical, and social effects of aging.
A nurse practitioner who focuses on ongoing and complete healthcare for adults from adolescence to old age is known as an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner.
Gerontology is the study of aging and older people, is significant. As the science of longevity has advanced, so has gerontology. Diverse disciplines, including physiology, social science, psychology, public health, and policy, are represented among the researchers in this field.
- Train to be a nurse.
- Submit a program application for adult nurse practitioners.
- Acquire industry experience.
- Become nationally certified.
- Obtain and maintain certification as a nurse practitioner in your state.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center Gerontological Nursing board certification test is a competence – based exam that provides a rigorous and accurate assessment of entry-level clinical knowledge and abilities of RNs in the gerontological speciality after initial RN licensure.
Students who had previously taken gerontology-related courses, worked with older adults, lived with older adults, were confident in their ability to care for older adults, and had lower negative attitudes toward older adults were more likely to consider a future career in gerontological nursing, according to covariate-adjusted analyses.