Adult, Family, Gerontological, and Women's Health Primary Care Specialty
The Adult, Family, Gerontological, and Women's Health Primary Care specialty is designed to prepare nurse practitioners to meet the primary care needs of diverse populations throughout the life span. The curriculum focuses on the diverse health care needs of clients served in a multitude of settings. Each client is viewed in relation to his or her self-described family and community. This curriculum integrates research, clinical practice, and policy to prepare nurse practitioners as leaders in the provision of primary care.
Adult Nurse Practitioner Track
The Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) track offers the opportunity to integrate physical and psychosocial assessment, health promotion, and disease management skills into family-centered nursing practice in the care of adults and adolescents. On completion of the Adult Nurse Practitioner track, students are eligible for ANP Certification through the American Nurses' Credentialing Center and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
A Post Master's Adult Nurse Practitioner Certificate option is also available and described below.
Adult and Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Track
The Adult and Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (A/GNP) Track prepares graduates to deliver primary care to adolescents, adults, and older adults in a variety of health care settings. This track builds on the strengths of the Adult Nurse Practitioner Track and the Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Track. Graduates are eligible for ANP and GNP certifications through the American Nurses' Credentialing Center and for ANP through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Family Nurse Practitioner Track
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track emphasizes the primary care of adults, adolescents, and children within the context of family-centered care. It builds on the Adult Nurse Practitioner track with the addition of didactic and clinical courses focused on the primary health care of children. On completion of the Family Nurse Practitioner track, students are eligible for FNP Certification through the American Nurses' Credentialing Center and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Track
The Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP) track is designed to prepare students in primary care management of both common and complex problems in the elderly. On completion of the Gerontological Nurse Practitioner track, students are eligible for GNP Certification through the American Nurses' Credentialing Center.
A Post Master's Gerontological Nurse Practitioner option is also available and described below.
Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Track
The Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) track prepares graduates to be generalists in the primary care of adults with an emphasis on the particular health care needs of women. This multidimensional educational program explores the care of women across the life span. Health promotion and acute and chronic illness are studied within a holistic, developmental focus. The effects of gender on women's lives, health, and health care access are emphasized. Students also explore health policy's impact on women, as well as the role women have played in shaping health policy. Courses concentrate on the application of physiologic, developmental, psychosocial, and cultural theories to the advanced clinical decision making that affects women and their health. Clinical experiences are provided in varied settings. On completion of the Women's Health Nurse Practitioner track, students are eligible for Adult Nurse Practitioner Certification through the American Nurses' Credentialing Center, and for Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Certification through the National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing Specialties.
The course plans for part-time study can be obtained from the Student Affairs Office.
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Clinical Specialties
Student Spotlight
Bernadette Mahoney
Bernadette Mahoney (right in photo above) entered YSN as a GEPN student in the fall of 2002 and is currently in the final year of her MSN program in the Pediatric Nursing Specialty. Bernadette graduated from Stanford University in 1998 with a major in Medical Anthropology, where she focused her studies on health beliefs of various cultures, particularly the Navajo culture. Prior to coming to YSN, Meredith also received a Master's degree in Behavioral Science and Health Education from Emory University.
While attending Stanford University, Meredith worked at Seneca Center, a school and residential program for severely emotionally disturbed children, most of whom had been abused or neglected.
"All the students in my classroom still lived with their families, but almost half of the students at Seneca were part of our residential program," recalled Meredith.
As well as teaching math, reading and science, she was a counselor, lead after-school programs, collaborated with the therapists to create and implement behavior intervention programs for each student, and worked in the group homes during school vacations. She also worked with the parents of her students in developing ways to manage their child's behavioral problems at home, improving access to community programs, and providing information about support groups.
"Many of the parents felt that their health care provider didn't have time to address all their concerns about their children's medical problems and would come to the school with questions that they hoped someone at the school could answer," recalled Meredith. "I worked with the school nurses and therapists to try to answer some of these questions. Seeing the impact of my and my co-workers' actions made me realize the importance of people having someone they can turn to and talk to about their health concerns. I liked being someone who could provide both technical information and emotional support. I wanted a career where I could directly help people with health-related concerns."
In the summer of 2003, Meredith spent 6 weeks at the Pine Ridge Reservation, an American Indian community in South Dakota, for her community health rotation. She recalled her experience: "Being on the reservation and seeing the health disparities reminded me of my undergraduate studies on the issues of incorporating Western medicinal beliefs and Navajo health beliefs.. It was an amazing experience and
we were welcomed into Lakota Sioux community. I may go back this summer to visit people and attend one of the ceremonies happening this summer."
Because of that experience, Meredith is considering basing her practice at the reservation after she graduates from YSN. "Wherever I end up, I intend to work in an underserved community, where I hope to
design and implement community outreach and health education programs as part of my future practice," she said.
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