Research Gerontology Degree Programs

Working in a hospital? Already in the nursing field? Interested in lending a helping hand to those who need it? If your answers are “yes” to these questions, then you are ready for exciting careers in the Gerontology discipline. Additionally, this field is also for others interested in nursing seniors.

Typical work settings for such nurses are residential healthcare facilities and homes of patients. They monitor and maintain health of aged individuals, including acute and chronic health problems, to improve quality of life for elderly. Since not all nurses are qualified to assist seniors, aspiring students need to go through programs preparing them to enter this discipline. Several programs are available like Associate’s, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees along side diplomas and certifications. States may also require licensure which can be acquired by passing prescribed exams thus paving the way for becoming Gerontology Nurse Practitioners [GNP]. Programs equipping students in this field usually cover pharmacology, physiology and pathophysiology, health care for aged population and primary care for frail older adults.

The horizon is bright for this field with employment expected to grow steadily, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics. The increasing number of elderly population and rapid advances in health care for seniors is creating opportunities for skilled staff in Gerontology. Registered nurses qualified to provide Gerontology care for elderly drew average annual salaries of $48,000 in 2004. GNPs usually make more than that.

A host of programs are offered by University of Phoenix and Lincoln Technical Institute with the former offering highly accessible quality education and the latter specializing in hands-on training programs. Kaplan University and Everest Institute are second to none with Kaplan focusing on absorption and application of knowledge and Everest designing programs that fit your life. South University, in contrast, hinges on student experience and helps achieve their goals.