48 THE QUEENS COURIER • HEALTH • FEBRUARY 6, 2020 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
health
The Geriatric Nurse Practitioner and Aging
Originally, the development of the
geriatric nurse practitioner program
(GNP) emerged to meet the need for
consistent, accessible quality care for
persons in nursing homes. A GNP,
according to statistics, can manage 80%
to 90% of the health problems that occur
among nursing home residents.
Today, not only does the GNP practice
in nursing homes, but in skilled nursing
facilities, retirement complexes, day care
settings, community clinics, physicians’
offi ces, and in some instances, independent
practice.
A GNP is educated in one of the many
graduate programs around the country
that off ers a master’s degree in Nursing
along with practitioner knowledge and
skills. Courses in physical, physiologic
and psycho-social aging, research, and
pharmacology in conjunction with a
preceptorship are required for this specialty.
As an integral member of a nursing
home staff , the GNP can reduce incidents
and accidents, decrease transfers
to acute care, reduce medication usages,
increase functional capacities and positively
infl uence staff morale.
On completion of their educational
program, the GNP may be certifi ed for
expanded practice in most states and
by the American Nurses Association-
GNP. Th ese certifi cation examinations
are given through the ANA program.
With regards to the GNP and the physician
relationship, many activities overlap
physician medical management and
in most cases, decisions are guided by
protocols developed by both the GNP
and the physician. But fi rst and foremost,
the GNP is a nurse and is acutely
aware of and involved in teaching, counseling,
health education, health screening
and preventive care.
As for the role and function of the
GNP in the community setting, it is also
diverse as primary caregivers and case
managers to the aged individual.
In his/her practitioner role in the community,
the GNP can accomplish client
assessment, care, planning, implementation
and evaluation. Aft er assessment,
health teaching of the aged and families
is also a major responsibility.
Further, teaching home health staff
both formally in a classroom setting and
informally at the bedside is an invaluable
service to improve care of the aged.
Opportunities and new roles for GNPs
are emerging to capture the interest of
nurses committed to a career as a nurse
practitioner and desiring to maximize
Vantage Medical Group hosts free screening in Flushing
Photo by Dean Moses
Vantage Medical Group off ered free prostate cancer screening in Flushing on Sunday, Feb. 2, Prostate Cancer Observance Day.
the amount of autonomy and accountability
to the client. Th e question is how
are GNPs also successful in the community
setting?
Th e researchers, Weinstein and Demer,
as early as 1975 showed that nurse practitioners
were very successful in taking
care of health problems within the community
95% of the time, and were well
received by the populace. Th e extent to
which the GNP in the community can
supply comprehensive clinical services
depends on federal and state laws governing
practice and reimbursement policies.
Another reason for GNPs being successful
in small community settings is
that small communities rarely attract
physicians and are notoriously underserved
medically, even when there is
generally an overlapping of physicians
elsewhere.
I was greatly pleased when my granddaughter
recently informed us of her
decision to enter the nurse practitioner
program as her major professional
endeavor. My response to her was,
“you go girl.” We are all very proud of
her decision and wish her a successful
journey. Th is article is dedicated to her
with love.
Quotable quote: “Life hangs by a
thread. Pay attention to its ephemeral
gift s.”
Sheldon Ornstein Ed.D, RN, LNHA
Dr. Sheldon Ornstein is a
registered professional nurse
with a doctoral degree in
nursing organization. He
has specialized in the care
of older adults and has
published many articles on
the subject. He has done
post-graduate work in gerontology
and has taught
at several universities. In
2013, he was inducted into
the Nursing Hall of Fame at
Teachers College, Columbia
University.
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