ginamazlo

California is one of the few states that does not require certification.

I am a nurse practitioner in California. Initially I was certified as a Geriatric NP. However, due to some family circumstances (my father was killed in an automobile accident and I took care of my mother when she was dying of leukemia) my certification expired. When I wanted to recertify I discovered that the GNP was retired. And because I waited too long to reapply I would need to test for the Adult/Gero NP. I was told by both certifying bodies that I would need to go back to the institution from where I obtained my NP and take the courses necessary to fulfill the requirements for the AG NP role. The school I attended does not offer the AGNP. I did a macro search on all other nursing schools to find those who offered that option. My only criteria would be that the courses were offered on-line. However, very few offer distance learning. And those that did required a certain amount of time in the actual classroom. Also, many required 500 clinical hours for completion. So it would be like going back to school for the initial NP designation. I am a working NP, and in addition to that, I am a vibrant 70 year old woman. I have been going back and forth on whether to move forward or to just forget it. A big part of me feels inadequate because I am not certified. Rationally I know I am not. I did find one institution (Kaplan University) offering the courses I need, on-line and without the clinical hours requirement. Courses are very expensive and it will take at least a year to complete. And it's Kaplan.... I am at a crossroads and need some advise on which direction to take. I'm open to all comments. Thank you.