A common path toward becoming an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner includes earning RN licensure and completing appropriate undergraduate and graduate nursing education. From there, most people build toward this advanced practice role through graduate-level education, clinical practicum experience, and national certification. Below, we'll walk through that process.
The Path To Becoming an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Step 1: Become a licensed registered nurse with a BSN. For students pursuing this pathway, an early step is becoming a registered nurse and meeting applicable graduate-program admission requirements. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, advanced practice registered nurses, a category that includes nurse practitioners, must earn at least a master's degree in one of the APRN roles, and must be licensed in their state and pass a national certification exam.1 That graduate-level education builds on an existing Bachelor of Science in Nursing and an active RN license.
Step 2: Meet graduate program entrance requirements. Programs vary, but typical requirements include a conferred BSN from an accredited institution with a strong GPA (Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale), a current, unencumbered RN license valid in the United States, and professional references. An online MSN Nurse Practitioner program requires a conferred BSN, and an active unencumbered RN license.2
Step 3: Complete graduate coursework in an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care specialization. This part of the path centers on building the clinical knowledge specific to adult and aging patients. Nurse practitioner coursework generally includes foundational subjects common across specialties, such as pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and pharmacology, alongside specialty-specific coursework.3
For example, an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner specialization may cover:
- Disease management of complex adult-gerontology disorders across the endocrine, respiratory, cardiovascular, hematological, and neurological systems
- Health promotion and prevention strategies for aging adults
- Conducting age-appropriate patient assessments
- Diagnosing age-related illnesses using clinical data and test findings
Coursework may also introduce topics like:
- E-prescribing
- Telehealth
- Practice management
These may vary in application depending on a graduate's eventual state licensure and scope of practice.2
Step 4: Complete supervised clinical practicum experience. Hands-on practice is a central part of this path. Some programs may include a series of practicum experiences that build progressively, from health promotion and disease management to primary care across adolescent, adult, and aging populations, and finally to refining assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning skills within a chosen area of interest.2
Step 5: Pass the national certification exam and obtain state licensure. Completing a graduate program is designed to prepare students to sit for the national NP board certification exam associated with their specialization.2 Licensing then occurs through a separate process at the state level, and nurse practitioner licensing and scope of practice vary by state: state laws vary regarding the level of physician collaboration, supervision, or other requirements applicable to NP practice and prescribing.3 Because of this variation, it's worth researching the specific requirements where you plan to practice.
What Does an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Do?
According to Cleveland Clinic, an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner provides healthcare for adults of all ages, working with patients to manage diseases and chronic health conditions.3 More broadly, nurse practitioner duties may include taking and recording medical histories, performing physical exams, ordering and analyzing diagnostic tests, diagnosing and treating illnesses, creating patient care plans, and counseling patients on healthy lifestyle choices.3
Within the adult-gerontology specialty specifically, that may include:
- Conducting age-appropriate assessments
- Diagnosing age-related illnesses and conditions using clinical data and test results
- Developing treatment plans in coordination with patients and their caregivers.2
Depending on state licensure and scope of practice, that work may also include prescribing medications and treatments.2,3 Potential practice settings or roles may vary based on experience, employer requirements, state law and other factors.2
Skills an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Needs
- Clinical assessment skills, for evaluating patients across a wide age range and identifying age-related health concerns2
- Diagnostic skills, for interpreting clinical data, lab findings, and test results to identify complex health disorders2
- Communication skills, for working with patients, families, and caregivers navigating adult and aging healthcare needs2
- Comfort with healthcare technology, including e-prescribing and telehealth tools that are part of primary care practice2
Exploring the MSN Nurse Practitioner Program at Rasmussen University
The online MSN Nurse Practitioner program at Rasmussen University offers an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care specialization designed to help prepare students for this advanced practice path. Explore the MSN Nurse Practitioner program to learn more.2
Earning a degree does not guarantee employment or specific job outcomes. Employment conditions in your area may vary. Licensure, certification, and scope-of-practice requirements vary by state.
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm#tab-4 (accessed Sept. 2, 2026). Employment conditions in your area may vary.
2Rasmussen University, Master of Science in Nursing Nurse Practitioner (MSN-NP), at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/master-science-nursing/nurse-practitioner/ (accessed Sept. 2, 2026).
3Cleveland Clinic, Nurse Practitioner, at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24651-nurse-practitioner (medically reviewed Jan. 26, 2023, accessed Sept. 2, 2026).
