Apr 25, 2023
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of nurse practitioners is projected to grow 52% from 2019 to 2029. This growth is attributed to the increasing demand for healthcare services, particularly in primary care and rural settings, where many Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners (AG-PCNPs) work.
Have you ever wondered about the magic behind AG-PCNPs and their amazing services? These licensed and certified professionals are out there making a difference in countless communities. But why should a nurse go the extra mile to become a nurse practitioner?
Tune in to the latest episode of This Is Getting Old: Moving Towards An Age-Friendly World, where we'll welcome two nursing superstars in clinical care of older adults: Margaret Venzke and Laurie Wilson! These women know how to make our world a more welcoming and accommodating place for all ages.
Key points covered in this episode:
✔️ Laurie Dodge Wilson: A Source of Experience and Guidance for Nursing Students
Laurie Dodge Wilson, NP, has been practicing clinically since 1995. She joined the George Washington University (GW) School of Nursing (SON) in December 2012. She brings her wealth of clinical experience into her teaching and competency development in the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program. In 2020 and 2021, she advocated for older adults by serving on GW Medical Faculty Associates (MFA) COVID-19 task force, securing testing and immunizations. That same year, she earned her certification in clinical simulation.
✔️ A True DC Native: 28 Years of Teaching and Clinical Practice with Dr. Maggie Hadro Venzke
Dr. Maggie Hadro Venzke has held faculty appointments at multiple universities, teaching in graduate nurse practitioner programs for over 28 years. Her clinical/research interests include fall prevention in the elderly, immunizations, infectious disease prevention, and best teaching practices in virtual online graduate NP education. She earned her BSN from the University of Virginia, MSN from Virginia Commonwealth University, and DNP from The George Washington University School of Nursing. Dr. Venzke has been teaching full-time at GWU since 2017 and is Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Program Director since 2019.
✔️ Understanding the Integral Role of AG-PCNPs
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners are masters at caring for patients of all ages and stages! They go above and beyond to help patients achieve their best health, from teenagers all the way to the older members of our community. These healthcare providers partner with patients to promote wellness and provide top-notch care for acute illnesses, chronic conditions, and injuries. And it doesn't stop there! AGPCNPs may participate in research and advocate for quality healthcare.
✔️ Where Do Adult Care Nurses Hang Their Stethoscope?
Who knew that practicing diverse settings could be so exciting? With our aging population, we need to meet people where they're at – from the hospital to assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, and home care. Additionally, there’s the growing trend of telehealth. The world of healthcare has plenty of options to offer.
✔️ How Much are AGPCNPs Paid?
Are you a registered nurse with a passion for geriatric care? The field of Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners has a plethora of exciting job opportunities waiting for you. According to Salary.com in Jan 2023, you can earn a salary that ranges from $120K to $140K.
✔️ Elevating Nurse Education at GWSON
The AGPCNP program at GWSON isn't your typical online program - it's the perfect mix of both virtual and in-person learning. With standardized patients and advanced technology resources, students develop their advanced practice skills to the fullest. And to top it off, they also get access to GW Health Sciences library services and apps for on-the-go learning. And don't worry about being local to the Washington DC Metro area - you'll only need to come to campus 2-3 times during the program for hands-on skills workshops and simulations. And when it comes to clinical rotations, they don't just leave students to fend for themselves - Clinical Experience Faculty are on hand to provide personalized guidance and support.
✔️ GWU: The Choice That Makes Sense!
For six years running, GW Nursing's Master of Science in Nursing Program has secured a spot in the prestigious top ten of U.S. News & World Report's Best Online Master's in Nursing Programs ranking for 2023.
Our MSN: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program is ranked #6 and the DNP: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program earning a respectable #10 ranking. Our small cohort sizes offer a supportive and cohesive learning environment perfect for advancing your education while working as a nurse. So why not consider joining us and becoming your patients' go-to primary care provider, from adolescents to older adults?
✔️ Tailor-made Programs for Your Success: Curriculum and Degree Options to Choose From
You can fit advanced education into your busy schedule with online coursework and local clinical rotations under expert faculty guidance. With both full-time and part-time options, you can find with balance of work-life-school that works best for you. And when you’re done, you'll be eligible to take on the national Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification exams.
Becoming a nursing pro takes a lot of dedication, and our programs have got you covered. Our MSN program will equip you with 48 credits and 600 hours of clinical practice. If you're up for the challenge, our BSN-DNP program comprises 70 credits and with 1000 clinical hours.
And if you already have a masters in nursing, our post-Master's certificate is only 20 credits and 600 clinical hours. You'll be one step closer to your nursing dreams in no time!
✔️ Ready for a Bigger, Better Nursing Role?
Elevate your nursing game and hop over to nursing.gwu.edu to start your next chapter in nursing excellence.
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Curious about the ins and outs of our programs of study? You can email Dr. Venzke at mvenzke@gwu.edu or Laurie at ldwilson@gwu.edu – and get a quick response to all your burning questions.
If you have questions or comments or need help, please feel free to drop a one-minute audio or video clip and email it to me at melissabphd@gmail.com, and I will get back to you by recording an answer to your question.
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About Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN:
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing ('96) and Master of Science in Nursing ('00) as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) School of Nursing (SON). I genuinely enjoy working with the complex medical needs of older adults. I worked full-time for five years as FNP in geriatric primary care across many long-term care settings (skilled nursing homes, assisted living, home, and office visits), then transitioned into academic nursing in 2005, joining the faculty at UNCW SON as a lecturer. I obtained my PhD in Nursing and a post-master's Certificate in Nursing Education from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing ('11). I then joined the faculty at Duke University School of Nursing as an Assistant Professor. My family moved to northern Virginia in 2015 which led to me joining the George Washington University (GW) School of Nursing faculty in 2018 as a (tenured) Associate Professor. I am also the Director of the GW Center for Aging, Health, and Humanities. Please find out more about her work at https://melissabphd.com/.