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Role Exploration

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Role Exploration Mary A. Beyer NORFOLK, VIRGINIA Fall, 2011 Role Exploration Role Chosen The role I chose to examine is that of Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, or Gerontological Nurse Practitioner. I specifically chose this role because of my life-long affection for, and interest in, older adults. I especially enjoyed caring for older adults in my role as a registered nurse in the hospital. Educational Preparation For entry into a nurse practitioner program, candidates must be graduates of a certified program in nursing that leads to a diploma, an Associate Degree in Nursing, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing; must hold a current, active RN license and meet the undergraduate requirements and GPA of the desired …show more content…

This will continue to increase the demand for medical care for the elderly, especially in locations that are medically underserved, leading to increasing job availability for GNP’s. Salary The average salary for Gerontological Nurse Practitioners ranges from $75,000 to $90,000 and above. This variation is mainly dependent upon geographic location and employer. GNP’s in California, Hawaii, and New Jersey, for example, have the highest salaries compared to those in mid-western and southern states. Individual salaries are further influenced by, and increase with, additional education and experience. Being a GNP brings additional rewards. There is the satisfaction of rendering quality care to a large and growing population that is in dire need of specialized care at this particular time in their lives. For me, it is the feeling of gratification that comes with knowing, that after a person has lived many years, I can be of help in making their final years as healthy and comfortable as possible, even when the need for palliative care arises. Most important, is the relationship that develops with the client, and the opportunity to learn from the experience with each individual. Positive and Negative Aspects Two major positive aspects of being a GNP– for me– are the feeling of gratification and satisfaction as stated above. The ability to administer care independently, from assessment, ordering tests, prescribing medications, to evaluating patient

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