Advice for an aspiring GNP

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Specializes in Neurology, geriatrics.

For the past year Ive been working nights as an RN at a small city's neuro unit and at a convent infirmary. I want to move to "bigger and better" so Ive applied and been offered a neuro am-pms 8hr rotating neuro position at a large hospital just outside of Chicago. My goal is to go back to grad school within the next year to become a geriatric NP.

What would give me the best experience? I know neuro and cardiac are huge focuses within the geriatric realm, so should I stick with this neuro position and hope that I hope up "The List" soon to get back onto 12hr shifts? OR seek out a cardiac position at the same hosptial either now or in the future? OR should I jump the Hospital ship all together and seek out a position at a retirement home? In which case, how do retirement homes pay compared to hospitals and would their tuition assistance compare? Lots of questions!!

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Specializes in cardiac/medical.

When I began nursing a few years ago, my goal was also to become a GNP. After some research, the only bit of advice I have to offer is...you may want to consider pursuing an ANP or FNP instead of the GNP. The GNP can only treat the older adult population (55 and older, I think) whereas the ANP or FNP are allowed to care for a much wider population (including the geriatric population). Becoming a GNP really narrows the population you can care for. Unless GNP is something you are absolutely sure you want to do, you may want to consider a more versatile NP program.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

Maybe I'm incorrect, but I thought the GNP programs were being phased out and changed to ANP/with a subspeciality in geriatrics. The schools around me no longer offer GNP programs.

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Specializes in Neurology, geriatrics.

From my research, Ive found that Illinois has two schools that still offer a GNP program: Rush (which is straight GNP) and U of I (which offers an Adult/Gere combo). I understand that Id only be able to treat 55+, and maybe I dont want to narrow my treating population so severely, but I know for sure I dont want to go for the FNP! Whats the age range for ANP?

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