Development of a Gerontology Graduate Certificate in Post-Acute and Long-Term Care

Abstract

Nurse practitioners (NPs) can provide safe, effective, quality care to older adults in post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) settings. However, there is a paucity of exposure to PALTC settings in most NP educational programs. Therefore, the current authors developed an elective graduate certificate in gerontology with an emphasis in PALTC for NP students. The graduate certificate curriculum was developed by faculty with expertise in nursing and gerontology education. The PALTC certificate comprises 15 credit hours of online didactic courses, 80 leadership hours, 200 clinical hours, and a scholarly project dedicated to PALTC. Completion of a graduate certificate in PALTC is a novel model for preparing NP students for practice in PALTC settings. The current article serves as a framework for other programs to reference as they develop individualized graduate certificate PALTC programs in their academic institutions. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 45 (10), 47–52.]

Professional development and career planning for nurses working in care homes for older people: A scoping review

“…Two expert commentaries reported on challenges related to professional development and career planning for care home RNs (Devi et al, 2021 ; Santamaria & Lange, 2016 ). Four articles reported on bespoke professional development programmes for care home RNs (Aaron, 2011 ; Cramer et al, 2014 ; Dassel et al, 2019 ; Wasike et al, 2019 ). Three reviews of the literature addressed deterrents to participation in clinical education for care home RNs (Schweitzer & Krassa, 2010 ), experiences of care home RNs as clinical leaders and managers (Dwyer, 2011 ), and leadership and RNs working after‐hours in residential aged care facilities (Nhongo et al, 2018 ).…”

“…Caring well for older people requires specialist skills (Aaron, 2011 ; Cooper et al, 2017 ; Dassel et al, 2019 ; Dwyer, 2011 ; Wasike et al, 2019 ). Initial nurse preparation programmes were regarded as not exposing learners to gerontological care in the care home sector and not developing learners to care for older people living in care homes (Cooper et al, 2017 ), and a call was made to set a gold standard for care home nursing (Stanyon et al, 2017 ).…”

“…Competency development can support definition of career pathways in care home nursing as well as increasing the status of work in this area (Stanyon et al, 2017 ). Two papers included competency development issues (Dassel et al, 2019 ; Wasike et al, 2019 ). In the United States, Dassel et al ( 2019 ) gerontology graduate certificate included content on careers in long‐term care.…”

“…Two papers included competency development issues (Dassel et al, 2019 ; Wasike et al, 2019 ). In the United States, Dassel et al ( 2019 ) gerontology graduate certificate included content on careers in long‐term care. Wasike et al ( 2019 ) professional development for care home nurse leaders focused on four key competencies which included ‘identifying and considering potential pathways for career development in the care home sector’ (pg.…”

Who wants to work in geriatrics: Findings from a national survey of physicians and nurse practitioners

“…As a result of this change, the stand-alone Geriatric Nurse Practitioner certification was phased out. However, some university nursing programs offer post-masters certificate programs for APRNs who seek formal training in geriatrics to improve clinical competency and meet eligibility criteria for adult-gerontology NP certification examinations (Dassel et al, 2019;Greenberg et al, 2017). Furthermore, the APRN gerontological specialist certification exam was established in 2018 to distinguish those with expertise in managing older adults' complex healthcare needs (Kennedy-Malone, 2016).…”