What does an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner do?

Christine Colella, DNP, APRN-CNP, FAANP, executive director of graduate programs and coordinator of adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner programs at the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing, discusses the role and what she enjoys about working in the field, along with some of the benefits of UC’s program.

Colella: Although some people believe adult-gerontology nurse practitioners only take care of older people, we actually care for patients 13 and older, so your patients will range from adolescents to people along the entire life spectrum.

Colella: Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners certified in primary care (as opposed to acute care) are not limited to working in primary care settings. We can work in specialty settings, such as dermatology, orthopedics, pulmonary, oncology clinics and more, as long as they are outpatient, community-focused settings.

Colella: Before becoming an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, I worked as an RN in several acute-care roles inside a hospital. When I decided to become an advanced-practice nurse, I realized I wanted to take care of people before they got that sick – before they ended up in the hospital. I wanted to work to educate patients about their health, medications, diet and exercise. I wanted to make sure they live happy and fulfilled lives.

Colella: Our adult-gerontology nurse practitioner programs prepare you to think critically and be a successful nurse practitioner through courses in advanced health assessment, differential diagnoses, pathophysiology, pharmacology and more.

I always say that the best thing about being nurse practitioners is that we are nurses first. This means we take all of your knowledge and experiences as a nurse and add information to assess the patient with a holistic approach, looking at the patient as a whole person.

In our practicums, you work side-by-side with a nurse practitioner or physician, learning how to use the same skills you learned in your classes, but with real patients. These experiences, coupled with the education we provide, prepare you for your certification exam and to care for patients as you proceed in your career.

Learn more about our adult-gerontology nurse practitioner programs in primary care:

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
  
• Post-Master's Certificate
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)