Age range Adult-Gerontology NP

Bumex, DNP, NP · Aug 21, 2019

Most places specify 13 or greater around where I work in illinois. Could vary from state to state and facility and facility.

Kay80 · Aug 21, 2019

Thank you! Do you know where I can find this stated? I don’t see it in the illinois nurse practice act or anywhere on the ANCC website. It’s so weird that it’s not easy to find

Trauma Columnist · Aug 21, 2019

I'm in IL also and hold an adult CNS as well as a peds CNS. I don't remember where I was told this, perhaps in school?

Nope the IL Practice Act doesn't list out specific ages. However, look to your clinicals and/or school. For instance, when I did my adult CNS I only cared for pts >13 years old. That was why I picked up the peds CNS

ArmaniX, MSN, APRN · Aug 21, 2019

Also not sure where I’ve gained this knowledge.. but I believe the cut off is puberty. Once the child shows signs of puberty then as an AGACNP I can legally see them, which is roughly the 11-13 year old range.

Not sure where I gained that tidbit of knowledge. Not something I worry about in my ICU setting, and when I work PACU it is simple for me to have a “hands off” approach when they role an infant out for recovery.

WestCoastSunRN, MSN, CNS · Aug 21, 2019

My state's NPA also doesn't say. I am finishing up my ACCNS-AG academic prep. In practice I find the ages to be 13 or 14+, but I don't see hard and fast rules for this published anywhere - even in the certification materials.

This is an important issue for me, as I may need to obtain additional cert for the younger peds.

FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP · Aug 22, 2019

I checked the California regs and did not see a specific age. I just go with 13 and up.

In practice, I have seen younger patients if needed, for issues that do not require medication, like sports physicals, minor "boo boos," etc.

Sometimes, if there is no other provider, I've also seen patients in the 10-12 years ages for minor illnesses like colds.

LadyT618, MSN, APRN, NP · Aug 23, 2019

In every school's curriculum (in which I showed interest), their literature indicated age 13 and up. However, during a quick google search and review of the AANP cert website (the certifying body I am leaning toward), which states they test on the "clinical knowledge of young adults (including adolescents and emancipated minors), adults, older adults, and elderly," I discovered that the World Health Organization (WHO) decided that adolescence ranges from 10-19. The AANP cert website indicates that "Age Parameters are not defined for any population. AANPCB uses growth and development for constructing the certification exams."

Hope this sheds a little light or muddy it up some more ?

http://www.searo.who.int/entity/child_adolescent/topics/adolescent_health/en/#targetText=Adolescent health and development,age range 10-24 years.

FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP · Aug 23, 2019

3 hours ago, LadyT618 said:
In every school's curriculum (in which I showed interest), their literature indicated age 13 and up. However, during a quick google search and review of the AANP cert website (the certifying body I am leaning toward), which states they test on the "clinical knowledge of young adults (including adolescents and emancipated minors), adults, older adults, and elderly," I discovered that the World Health Organization (WHO) decided that adolescence ranges from 10-19. The AANP cert website indicates that "Age Parameters are not defined for any population. AANPCB uses growth and development for constructing the certification exams."
Hope this sheds a little light or muddy it up some more ?
http://www.searo.who.int/entity/child_adolescent/topics/adolescent_health/en/#targetText=Adolescent health and development,age range 10-24 years.

That makes sense as an increasing number of girls are reaching menarche at younger ages in the 10-12 year range. I have seen 13 year old girls and boys that look like adults!