anyone working as just a Geronotological Nurse Practitioner?

[afjgnp]

I went to school in Rochester, New York first to get my BS in Nursing then my MS as a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner(GNP). I have three credits short of a cerficate in Nursing Education. I am an assistant lab coordinator for a college in Buffalo(was faculty but quit because I thought I was going on disability, MS,cancer and Crohn's disease). I could not aford it so now I am trying to live on 31,000 a year, support a disabled husband and pay 100,000 in student loans. I never took the ANCC exam because I was trying to learn the teaching job, then I became very sick. Is it worth going into more debit to take the exam and keep up my GNP licence? I keep looking for jobs but no one wants a GNP with no experience and I don't know as I want to be dual certified. Oh yes, the forms the head of the program is to fill out? She can't because the head of the program is no longer at the school and the GNP program closed due to lack of interest(and jobs). Need some advice please.

[CaroleVilchis]

Don't give up hope if being a GNP is what you want.......I have worked as a CNA and an RN in long term care and found it immensely satisfying and considered working as an NP in LTC, too. I am a new grad this December, in fact just passed the AANP Adult-Gero exam today (only $150 compared to ANCC's $395) and start work this Monday for a cardiologist practice. I got hired three weeks after graduating. I am forty-nine years old and have a sixteen year old daughter.

But I was also offered a job as a GNP at the same time at another facility, would have had only one nursing home, affiliated with a great hospital in a nice, nice campus town (Champaign-Urbana) with a low cost of living and an excellent starting salary and they are still looking (Carle - Careers: Employment). I also heard through the grapevine from a reliable source that this same hospital is looking to hire at least 100 mid level providers in the next couple of years. It's a good hospital.

I think that in some parts of the country it is much, much easier to procure a job than in other parts but don't give up if geriatrics is your passion.....they need you and you can make it happen. If you are willing to relocate, Manor Care is geriatrics, has a lot of open jobs, and would most likely hire a new grad and you could get your feet wet there: HCR ManorCare Nurse Practitioner Jobs

Sometimes what life dishes out is hard, it seems unfair and you just want to throw in the towel. Sixteen years ago, I felt that way. I would have never imagined I could have accomplished what I have done today. Yet I cannot say it was without the help of good people along the way, if only just words of encouragement. I hope that you find what you are looking for and wish you peace.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I second the Manor Care job opportunties. I live a little ways from above poster, near Peoria, IL and there are quite a few ads out for Manor Care here too.