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Every school and family nurse practitioner program listed on this site is accredited, and these colleges and universities offer flexible online and on-campus degree plans in order to help nurses continue their education and further their career. Read more
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The blog at Family Nurse Practitioner Programs.com strives to be a resource for nurses and nursing students who are interested in furthering their education and career. Here you’ll find educational tips, industry trends, the latest news, salary and career information, and more about the exciting family nurse practitioner field.
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Gerontology Programs

My Degree and What It’s Good For

Gerontology studies the many aspects and effects of aging – this includes fields such as biology, medicine, nursing, dentistry, psychology, social work, sociology, and more. For nurses interested in geriatrics, working as a nurse practitioner (NP) in gerontology deals with the medical issues in aging patients, as well as the growing and varying needs of the elderly. In order to as an NP in this specialty, registered nurses (RN) must go back to school to complete a master’s degree program focused on gerontology. For nurses who already hold their bachelor’s degree, this program typically takes about two years to complete. Older adults make up the majority of primary care visits, hospital admissions, and long-term care, and the number of aging adults is expected to continue growing at the same rate. This means the demand for advanced nurses specializing in gerontology will continue to grow as well. As a gerontological nurse practitioner, you can expect to:

Conduct routine check-ups
Diagnose illnesses and diseases
Order lab tests for patients
Prescribe medication and/or therapy
Manage patients’ pain
Work on preventative care for patients

My Earning Potential

Your expected salary as a gerontological nurse practitioner may vary, based on a number of factors. Where you work, your experience, the type of facility, as well as other things can affect how much you can expect to earn. According to data reported by The Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses earned an average salary of $69,110 per year in 2011 across the nation. This number is representative of RNs holding an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree. Obtaining an advanced degree, such as a Master’s of Science in nursing (MSN) in order to work as a nurse practitioner, will increase the amount of money you will earn. As the nursing field continues to grow, as well as the demand for advanced nurses, those with more experience and higher education can expect to find more competitive salaries in the type of facility they choose to work in.

Online Practitioner Degrees in Gerontology

Top Online Family Nurse Practitioner Degrees

Family nurse practitioners are advanced practiced registered nurses (RN) who work closely with pediatricians and other healthcare specialists to provide care for families. Typically, an FNP will have knowledge of pediatrics and neonatal nursing. To become an FNP, a master's degree in nursing is required. The following schools all offer Master of Science in nursing degrees through online accredited programs.

MSN: Family Nursing	Georgetown University . Georgetown University's online MSN: family nurse practitioner program propels licensed registered nurses (with a BSN) to their graduate degrees in 17-24 months. Students study through a combination of live online seminars and hands-on clinical opportunities (coordinated near students' homes), also gaining all the benefits of being a Georgetown student, including access to the university's prestigious alumni network.
MSN: Nurse Administration MSN: Nurse Education	Kaplan University . The MSN program at Kaplan University is designed for family nurses seeking to grow their leadership skills within the healthcare field. Once a candidate has completed the program, he or she will be prepared to pursue positions in administration, faculty, or staff development. Students will be challenged in this program with courses ranging from organizational theory, health care finance, human resources, amongst others that them to meet the demands of healthcare management.
MSN: Women's Nursing MSN: Nurse Midwifery	University of Cincinnati . The Adult Nursing, Nurse Midwifery, Nurse Administration, and Women's Health Nursing programs offered by the University of Cincinnati are excellent programs for an RN seeking to expand his or her career opportunities. These programs are designed to provide and challenging and stimulating classroom environment preparing students for a wide range of careers ranging from family nursing, adult care, and prominent leadership roles.
MSN: Nurse Education RN-MSN: Nurse Education	Capella University . The MSN in Nurse Education from Capella University prepares family nurses to educate future generations of nurses in methods that have been proven highly successful. As the demand for nurses continues to grow, the demand for instructors to teach them will also grow. The MSN in Nurse Education Bridge program allows nurses with a Bachelor degree in a field other than nursing to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing.
Find your Family Nurse Practitioner degree program today...
MS in Midwifery	Philadelphia University . The MS program in Midwifery is a two-year distance education program designed for registered nurses (RN) and CM Pathway applicants. This program integrates components of theory and practices and includes four terms of clinical experience and two on-campus sessions. Following completion of the program, graduates can successfully take the American Midwifery Certification Board exam to earn the credential CNM or CM.
MSN: Adult Acute Care MSN: Clinical Nursing MSN: Nurse Leadership	Drexel University . An MSN in Adult Acute Care at Drexel University helps prepare family nurse practitioners to manage patient populations in medical, surgical, and critical care. The
MSN: Nurse Education MSN: Nurse Leadership MSN/MBA: Nurse Leadership	Grand Canyon University . A MSN in Nurse Education from Grand Canyon University prepares family nurses that want to teach the upcoming nurses to become highly effective educators. The school also offers a MSN in Nurse Leadership. This program teaches the fundamentals of how to work in hospital administration. The MSN/MBA in Leadership prepares family nurses to take their career to the next level and land more advanced positions in the healthcare environment.