Gerontological Nursing Certification Review Course

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*Registration payment includes Credit Cards and Interfund Transfers ONLY.

Target Audience

Nurses who are interested in taking the gerontological nursing certification exam.

Description

This course is offered by South Piedmont AHEC in collaboration with the NCNA Council on Gerontological Nursing.

This two-day course offers an in-depth review of essential topics in gerontological nursing, designed to support nurses preparing for the ANCC Gerontological Nurse Certification exam. It is also ideal for nurses currently working in gerontology or those seeking continuing education credits in this specialty.
Participants will deepen their understanding of gerontological nursing principles and practices, gaining knowledge applicable to clinical care, education, and research. The course provides a solid foundation for exam preparation while enhancing professional practice in the care of older adults.

The ANCC Gerontological Nursing Certification Examination is a competency-based examination that provides an assessment of entry-level clinical knowledge and skills of registered nurses in the gerontology specialty. Once eligibility requirements are satisfied to take the examination and the exam is successfully passed, the credential of Gerontology Nurse-Board Certified (GERO-BC) is awarded and is valid for 5 years.

The ANCC Gerontology Nurse Certification Exam:
There are 150 questions on this examination. Of these, 125 are scored questions and 25 are pretest questions that are not scored.
Content: Assessment and Diagnosis -28% (35 Qs), Planning, implementation, evaluation -40% (50 Qs), Professional foundation -32% (40 Qs)

Qualifications for the exam:
1. A current, unrestricted RN license.
2. Documentation that you have practiced full time as an RN for the equivalent of two years.
3. A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice in gerontology within the past three years.
4. Documentation of 30 continuing-education hours in the gerontology specialty acquired in the past three years.

For questions about the eligibility requirements and completed details, please check the ANCC website.

Faculty:
Tammy Arms, DNP, PMHNP-BC, NP
Letha Joseph, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, FAANP, FFNMRCSI
Tomika Williams, PhD, AGPCNP-C, RN

Course Dates:
DAY 1 - Thursday, October 23, 2025 | 8:30am – 4:00pm
DAY 2 - Friday, October 24, 2025 | 8:30am – 4:00pm

Learning Outcome:
Participants in the Gerontological Nurse Certification Review Course will self-report increased knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of gerontological nursing content. This knowledge is applicable to clinical practice, nursing education, and research, and supports effective preparation for the ANCC Gerontological Nurse Certification examination.

CE Credit:
Participants will be awarded 12.0 Nursing Contact Hours for attending at least 90% of this program and completing the post-course evaluation.

South Piedmont Area Health Education Center is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the North Carolina Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Live Webinar Information
This Live Webinar will be broadcast with Zoom. Instructions to join the Live Webinar will be emailed prior to the event. You can test your computer by going to the Zoom Test Page



This project is/was supported by funds from the Bureau of Health Professions (BHPr), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) under grant number U1QHP28734, Carolina Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by the BHPr, HRSA, DHHS or the U.S. Government.”

“The UNC Center for Aging and Health, Carolina Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program also provided support."

Registering for and attending a South Piedmont AHEC program authorizes South Piedmont AHEC to take audio, video, and/or still images to be used for promotional and educational purposes. If you have concerns, please speak with a South Piedmont AHEC team member.

Objectives

• 1. Describe the benefits of specialty certification.
• 1. Review a brief history of gerontological nursing practice.
• 1. Outline a plan for preparing to take the certification exam.
• 1. Highlight recommendations for continued competence and certification renewal.
• 2. Define Hospice, Palliative care, and Advance Care Planning
• 2. Describe communication techniques and appropriate application at the end-of-life
• 2. Examine nursing care for common end-of-life symptoms in older adults
• 2. Describe spiritual care and the impact of grief and bereavement care for older adults at the end-of-life
• 2. Describe ways to enhance consciousness/awareness of interfaith and the impact on grief/death/comfort
• 3. Identify cognitive and psychological disorders in older adults.
• 4. Review age-related changes in organ structure/function and the impact on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
• 4. Describe high risk medications in the 2023 Beer’s Criteria.
• 4. Identify risk factors for polypharmacy and drug non-adherence, adverse reactions, and drug interactions.
• 4. Identify common herbal supplements and their usage.
• 5. Describe advocacy efforts to improve the healthcare of older adults, including legislation and advocacy organizations.
• 5. Describe how healthcare delivery and reimbursement affect the care of older adults in the healthcare system.
• 5. Describe ways nurses can advocate for the healthcare needs of the population of older adults.
• 6. Examine and describe the comprehensive geriatric assessment process and the skills needed to perform it across practice settings.
• 7. Discuss disease prevention and health promotion for older adults.
• 7. Describe the three levels of prevention; Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary.
• 7. Identify at least 3 ways to improve the health of older adults.
• 8. Describe acute and chronic illnesses with regard to the body functions of circulation, respiration, endocrine, skin integrity, and sensory.
• 9. Identify special concerns in the care of older adults: pain management, elder abuse and the use of telehealth.
• 10. Explore services and resources that are community-based available to older adults.
• 10. Describe care provided in residential facilities for the older adult.
• 10. Discuss the safety and security concerns facing older adults.
• 11. Explain the five focus areas that comprise the scope and standards of practice for gerontological nursing.
• 11. Describe the updates to the revised scope and standards of practice.

Sessions