Can an LPN get GERO-BC certification?

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Can an LPN get GERO-BC certification?

Dear Nurse Beth,

I'm a LTC nurse, currently an LPN, and I'm interested in getting my GERO-BC certification. I've been a LTC nurse for awhile now, and I may want to stay in this specialty. I'm curious if LPNs can get this certification (versus just RNs), and if there is any special reason to get these credentials. What do you think?"

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5 Answers

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear LTC LPN,

Congrats on your dedication to long-term care and your professional growth.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center offers the Gerontological Nursing Certification. As a nurse specializing in long-term care, it would confirm your knowledge and expertise. Unfortunately, the certification is currently only provided for RNs.

Here are the eligibility requirements:

Eligibility

  • Hold a current, active RN license 
  • Have practiced the equivalent of 2 years full-time as a registered nurse
  • Have a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice in the specialty area of gerontological nursing within the last three years.
  • Have completed 30 hours of continuing education in gerontological nursing within the last three years

You may want to consider an accredited wound care certification course, as many are available to RNs and LPNs/LVNs. Talk with your manager to see if your facility recognizes such certifications. 

Here's a great resource describing wound care certifications for LPNs.

Also, consider continuing education courses to further your knowledge and skills in caring for older people with special needs.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

Specializes in psy.

Have you considered the NAPNES for LPN long-term care certification? I completed the exam years ago when I was an LPN very informative. Good luck.

https://napnes.org/site/certifications/long-term-care-certification/

Specializes in LTC & Rehab Supervision.

Thank you for your prompt response, Beth! 

I do plan on getting my RN in the next few years, anyways. I'll look into the GERO-BC eventually! I will look into the wound care certification as well.

Thank you!!

Specializes in LTC & Rehab Supervision.
phdeha777456 said:

Have you considered the NAPNES for LPN long-term care certification? I completed the exam years ago when I was an LPN very informative. Good luck.

https://napnes.org/site/certifications/long-term-care-certification/

This is exactly something I've been looking for!! Thank you so much!!

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.
phdeha777456 said:

Have you considered the NAPNES for LPN long-term care certification? I completed the exam years ago when I was an LPN very informative. Good luck.

https://napnes.org/site/certifications/long-term-care-certification/

I'm glad to get first-hand feedback from someone who has taken the course, thank you!

I hesitated to recommend it because it is a bit expensive, and I don't know if the certification is well known (recognition) or if employers compensate for it. There was a broken link on the site, and it wasn't clear whether successful test takers could add initials after their names or how long the certification is good for, in order to differentiate it from a CE course. All those small things combined gave me pause.

So glad you can recommend it from your personal experience ?

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