Loyola University > School of Nursing > Academics > Degree Programs > Graduate Degrees > Doctor of Nursing Practice > Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Learn to provide high-quality patient care across the adult lifespan.
With the U.S. population aging, there's a growing demand for more primary care nurse practitioners. From adult primary care practices to hospice care to the community, there are a variety of health care settings where you can make an impact on patient care. With a number of degree options, Loyola offers a rigorous nursing education that prepares you to work with adult patients as they age. As part of the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) track, you will work in all kinds of clinical settings, from world-class hospital systems to community centers in underserved areas.
Our Commitment to You
Graduates of Loyola's AGPCNP track will have the following knowledge, competencies, and professional values to develop, deliver, and evaluate evidence-based care for adult and geriatric patients.
KNOWLEDGE
You will learn:
- Population health principles and concepts
- Theoretical, conceptual, and evidence-based foundations for advanced practice nursing care in the primary care setting from late adolescence to end of life
- Advanced principles of caring for the older adult
- Palliative and end of life care
- Methods of advanced physical and health assessment and history taking
- Advanced pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics
- Advanced physiology of health and illness
- Management of common and complex health problems
- Family systems and family dynamics
- Systems thinking principles and concepts
- Resource management in health care
- Quality improvement principles and practices
- Health care policy and advocacy
- Health care economics and finance
- Decision-making tools and processes
- Leadership in advocacy in the role of an advanced practice nurse
Competencies
You will be able to:
- Conduct advanced physical assessments and health histories for patients from late adolescence to end of life
- Educate adult and gerontologic patients on disease prevention and healthy lifestyle measures
- Develop treatment plans for acute illness and chronic disease management
- Order and interpret diagnostic tests and screening evaluations
- Prescribe medications and other therapies
- Manage overall adult and gerontologic patient care, including issues related to aging and development
- Analyze trends, issues, and evidence in health care and health care systems
- Integrate the best evidence and patient preferences into the development, delivery, and evaluation of care
- Provide leadership in advanced nursing practice
- Foster and maintaining team partnerships in collaborative health care environments
PROFESSIONAL VALUES
Loyola Nursing is committed to preparing nurse leaders that value:
- The hallmark characteristics of a Jesuit education:
- Commitment to excellence
- Faith in God
- Service that promotes justice
- Values-based leadership
- Global awareness
- Ethical and moral judgement
- Eliminating health disparities
- Promoting patient safety and excellence in nursing practice
- Engaging in leadership activities through intra- and inter-professional collaboration
- Ensuring equity in health policy
- Accountability to patients, society, and the profession
Specialty
The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program with specialization in Oncology is designed as a DNP and can be completed in 72 semester hours. Graduates will have the knowledge and skills to assume system-wide leadership as nurse practitioners with expanded roles in oncology.
Learn more about our Oncology Nursing program.
Curriculum
Small class sizes and low student-to-faculty ratios ensure you receive the personalized attention you need to succeed.
Credit Hours
69 credits
COURSES
Core Courses:
- Theories & Concepts for Advanced Clinical Practice
- Research for Advanced Clinical Practice
- Population-focused Health
- Leadership and Roles in Advanced Nursing Practice
- Health Care Policy and Economics
- Social Justice and Ethics in Health Care
Role (NP) Courses:
- Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Basic Diagnostics for Advanced Practice
- Family-focused Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Population (Adult-gerontology) courses:
- Common Health Care Problems of Adults/Older Adults
- Complex Health Problems of Adults/Older Adults
- Advanced Practice Nursing Care of Older Adults
- Palliative and End-of-Life Care
Practicum:
- Primary Health Care Practicum
- Interprofessional Education Practicum
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
DNP students are required to complete practicums that focus on acquiring the advanced skills and knowledge to meet the competencies to practice as an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP. Faculty design clinical rotations and place students with preceptors. Loyola maintains academic-practice partnerships throughout the Chicago metropolitan area with a focus on working in underserved communities.
A minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice experience is required before entering the first APRN clinical rotation. Clinical placements for students in these programs are in the Chicago area, and students must have an Illinois RN license before they begin their clinical experience/rotation.
Admission
You must be a registered nurse with a baccalaureate or master's degree in nursing from an accredited program to apply. Admission is competitive and based on the strength of application materials and interview.
Begin your journey to becoming an Primary Care Nurse Practitioner! Learn more about the specific application requirements.
Learn more about the program by contacting Program Track Director Amanda (Mandy) Peacock, DNP, RN, AGPCNP-C, at apeacock3@luc.edu
