Roles and Responsibilities of Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners

Roles and Responsibilities of Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners provide a broad range of care. For example, they treat and prevent illnesses and address psychological, social, and cultural aspects of aging (reference). Gerontological nurse practitioners have attained a comprehensive approach to healthcare, hence, can deliver a care plan that patients understand and family members and caregivers are supportive of. The scope of practice for gerontological depends on an individual area of specialization (reference). Adult-Gerontology NPs can specialize in primary care or acute care. One should determine which path to take. However, their duties are not limited and are based on the needs of the patient 2. For instance, they may help patients with eating, dressing, bathing, and walking as well as working alongside a physician.

Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners (AG-ACNP) care for patients in a hospital setting. The roles and responsibilities of AG-ACNPs include carrying out the diagnosis and developing treatment plans (Duquesne University, 2021). Others include stabilizing in critical care areas, performing procedures, and prescribing medications. They also analyze patients’ health histories and evaluate the effectiveness of a patient’s treatment plan. On the other hand, adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners (AG-PCNPs) are primarily concerned with preventive care and disease prevention (reference). Their duties include teaching patients and their families about how to maintain their health and prevent illness as well as how to help patients manage long-term health issues.