Adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialists must, at a minimum, hold an MSN in their chosen role and population focus and certification through a nationally recognized certification board. Most states license AG-CNSs, but state licensing requirements vary among those states that don’t recognize these advanced nursing professionals as APRNs. Although the MSN remains the minimum educational requirements to become a CNS, in recent years, there has been a consistent movement toward the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) for these and other APRN professionals. In most cases, the DNP comes with more professional opportunities, a larger paycheck, and greater recognition and respect among other doctorate-level professionals within the interdisciplinary healthcare community, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, audiologists, pharmacists, etc. Fortunately, this shift toward the DNP has spurred many colleges and universities to expand their DNP offerings, and there are more DNP-CNS programs available than ever before. In addition, many institutions have begun offering a variety of DNP programs that best accommodate students with different backgrounds and educational degrees. DNP programs are designed in one of three ways:
  • MSN-DNP: This traditional DNP path takes about two years to complete and consist of about 36 credits.
  • BSN-DNP: This path is for BSN-prepared RNs and includes the components of both the MSN and DNP; it takes about three years and 73 credits to complete.
  • Direct-Entry DNP: This unique DNP program is designed specifically for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing major. The program includes the components necessary to earn RN licensure, the MSN, and DNP. It takes about four and a half years to complete and consists of between 65-80 credits.
The DNP includes courses and clinical experiences necessary to meet the AACN’s 8 DNP Essentials and qualify for national certification. It also culminates in a DNP project – a project unique to DNP programs that’s focused on improving patient outcomes. Just some of the courses unique to an AG-CNS DNP program include:
  • Quality and Safety for the Aging Adult
  • Management: Adult/Gerontology Acute & Critical Illness
  • Management of Complex Health Problems of the Acutely & Critically Ill
  • Geriatric Health Theory
  • Management of Adult Episodic/Chronic Health Problems in Acute Care Theory
Graduates are eligible to take one of the following certification exams to earn national certification as an AG-CNS: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist: Wellness through Acute Care (Adult-Gerontology) (ACCNS-AG)
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
  • Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist-Board Certified (ACNS-BC)
  • Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist-Board Certified (AGCNS-BC)
  • Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist-Board Certified (GCNS-BC)