Clinical Topics

GAPNA Health Policy Toolkit

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GAPNA Liaisons from the Health Affairs Committee represent GAPNA on national coalitions and share their reports on the monthly committee calls.

Volunteer with GAPNA: Committees, SIGs, and Leadership Opportunities

As a GAPNA member, you can volunteer for many activities within the association.

GAPNA's committees oversee specific areas of our work to serve members and the gerontological nursing community. Special Interest Groups (SIGs) bring together members with shared interests to advance the practice of gerontological nursing.

You can use the form below to volunteer as a committee or SIG member. You may also express interest in serving as a chair or co-chair.

American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) Certification and Recertification Discounts

GAPNA Year-In-Review

The Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA), Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association Foundation (GAPNAF) and its Membership is comprised of vast and diverse people with many talents and skills.

In this free webinar, participants will learn about the purpose and process of developing posters for presentation.

Presenters will review winning poster content and layout and also teach how to present your poster at a conference.

Presenters:

Joanne Miller, PhD, APRN, GNP-BC
Anne Mitchell PhD, ANP-BC, FGSA
Michelle Moccia, DNP, ANP-BC, GS-C
Sharon Wexler, PhD, RN, FNGNA

Alternative Professional Activities Hours Equivalent for Experience Eligibility Requirement

Alternative hour equivalents may in part, or all be used to meet the eligibility requirement of 2500 hours of experience in an advanced practice role, working with older adults, during the last 5 years. These equivalencies can also be applied to the 1000-hour recertification requirement.

Behavioral symptoms are defined as complex clusters of sequential patterns of behavior recurring repeatedly in the same individual that escalate significantly without timely intervention. Biomedical models note that behavioral symptoms arise from measurable anatomical and biochemical changes, such as the association of agitation with bilateral orbitofrontal and left anterior cingulated tangles. Neurochemical changes, alterations in neural structures, and genetics are also considered (Woods & Buckwalter, 2018)...

GAPNA is committed to fostering a professional community where every member is respected, supported, and valued. We strive to ensure that all members experience a sense of belonging and are treated with dignity and fairness. Our organization welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, and promotes an environment where everyone can contribute and thrive.

We will continue to strengthen our organizational culture so that fairness, respect, and accessibility are reflected in our mission, goals, and daily practices.

A: Gerontological Health Care continuing education (minimum of 50 hours)

1. Continuing education hours awarded for attendance at seminars and conferences

Chapter Excellence: Northern California Chapter

Stephanie Walz, MS, AGPCNP-BC, GS-C, has six years of experience as a nurse practitioner specializing in inpatient geriatric consults on an Acute Care for Elders (ACE) team. Her clinical practice centers on geriatric syndromes, cognitive impairment, and care transitions within a safety-net hospital in Indianapolis.

Jalana Haynes, BS
Michigan State University, Class of 2022

General, Concurrent, or Pre-Conference Workshop abstracts must be submitted by December 5, 2025.

Salix Pharmaceuticals is one of the largest specialty pharmaceutical companies in the world committed to the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. For more than 30 years, Salix has licensed, developed, and marketed innovative products to improve patients’ lives and arm healthcare providers with life-changing solutions for many chronic and debilitating conditions. Salix currently markets its product line to U.S. healthcare providers through an expanded sales force that focuses on gastroenterology, hepatology, pain specialists, and primary care.

GAPNA Task Forces are volunteer groups of members who focus on specific areas of gerontological nursing. They identify emerging trends, develop best practices, provide recommendations to the Board, and create resources that support nurses in improving care for older adults. By joining a Task Force, members have the opportunity to collaborate with peers, influence GAPNA initiatives, and advance the profession.

The Membership Task Force is a dedicated group within GAPNA that focuses on strengthening the value of membership and supporting the growth of our community. This task force works to identify the needs of current and prospective members, evaluate member benefits, and recommend strategies that enhance the overall membership experience.

The Community & Engagement Collaborative is a group within GAPNA dedicated to fostering meaningful connections, creating engagement opportunities, and strengthening the sense of community among members. This collaborative works to enhance member interaction both virtually and in person, ensuring GAPNA continues to be a welcoming and supportive professional home.

The Membership Task Force is a dedicated group within GAPNA that focuses on strengthening the value of membership and supporting the growth of our community. This task force works to identify the needs of current and prospective members, evaluate member benefits, and recommend strategies that enhance the overall membership experience.

We are proud to share that Dr. Valerie Flattes has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) State Award for Outstanding Contributions.

Clarification on Recent Washington Post Article
 
You may have seen the recent Washington Post article titled “Nurse practitioners step in as geriatrician ranks shrink” (June 15, 2025). While the piece shed light on a critical issue—the growing shortage of geriatric care providers—it unfortunately misrepresented the scope and depth of gerontological expertise among nurse practitioners.
 

We are proud to announce that the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) has been named a winner in the 2025 Non-Profit Organisation Awards by Acquisition International!

Acadia is committed to turning scientific promise into meaningful innovation that makes the difference for underserved neurological and rare disease communities around the world. Our commercial portfolio includes the first and only FDA-approved treatments for Parkinson’s disease psychosis and Rett syndrome. We are developing the next wave of therapeutic advancements with a robust and diverse pipeline that includes mid- to late-stage programs in Alzheimer’s disease psychosis and Lewy body dementia psychosis, along with earlier-stage programs that address other underserved patient needs.

Alpha Cognition is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative therapies for patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for patients and caregivers by delivering safe, effective, and accessible treatments that address significant unmet needs in neurology.

Dr. Talley, PhD, ACNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, is a Professor and Associate Dean for Clinical and Global Partnerships in the School of Nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She also serves as Clinical Director of the PATH Clinic, which provides care for medically complex, uninsured adults living with diabetes.

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Enjoy exclusive savings on travel, entertainment, and everyday fun—just for being a GAPNA member!

If you’re not logged in, you’ll be prompted to sign in to view your deals.

We Are Your People — 2026

Gerontological nurses are the heart of older adult care—and at GAPNA, We Are Your People.

The We Are Your People 2026 campaign celebrates the expertise, advocacy, and compassion that gerontological nurses bring to every care setting. Whether you work in acute care, long-term care, primary care, education, research, or leadership, GAPNA is your professional home.

Through this campaign, we reaffirm our commitment to:

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Dear GAPNA Members,

We are an innovative global healthcare company, driven by one purpose: we chase the miracles of science to improve people’s lives. Our team, across the world, is dedicated to transforming the practice of medicine by working to turn the impossible into the possible. We provide potentially life-changing treatment options and life-saving vaccine protection to millions of people globally, while putting sustainability and social responsibility at the center of our ambitions.

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We Are Your People 2026

According to the US Census Bureau, the US population aged 65+ years is expected to nearly double over the next 30 years, from 43.1 million in 2012 to an estimated 83.7 million in 2050. These demographic advances, however extraordinary, have left our health systems behind as they struggle to reliably provide evidence-based care to every older adult at every care interaction.

We are thrilled to celebrate the exceptional individuals who have earned the honor of being named GAPNA's Rising Stars.

Re: NAPCEP Instructor Requirement and Long-Term Care

RE: Reimagining and Improving Student Education, Docket ID ED-2025-OPE-0944, RIN 1840-AD98

JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGICAL NURSING SPECIAL ISSUES HIGHLIGHT AGE-FRIENDLY HEALTH SYSTEMS

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Sponsored Content
Presented by the Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation (NPHF)

Heritage to Health: Harnessing the Power of the Arts for End-of-Life Care

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The GAPNA Excellence Awards recognize outstanding contributions to gerontological advanced practice nursing. These awards honor individuals and chapters demonstrating excellence in leadership, education, clinical practice, research, community service, and chapter engagement.

Submissions are now open.

Acute & Emergent Care SIG Highlights Katy Vickers, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

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We are thrilled to celebrate the exceptional individuals who have earned the honor of being named GAPNA's Rising Stars. These outstanding professionals have been selected by our board for their unwavering passion and dedication to advancing GAPNA's mission — promoting excellence in advanced practice nursing to enhance the well-being of older adults.

Renew your membership or join between November 1, 2025 and December 1, 2025 to be entered to win a free registration to Pharmacon26 in Austin, TX! 

Hiboombe Haamankuli, DNP, CRNP, ACNP-BC
State: Alabama
Specialty: Hospital Medicine and Urology
 

GAPNA Member Carolyn Clevenger Named an American Academy of Nursing Edge Runner

GAPNA is proud to congratulate Carolyn Clevenger, founder of Emory Integrated Memory Care (IMC) in Atlanta, for being recognized as an Edge Runner by the American Academy of Nursing (AAN). The Edge Runner designation honors nurse-led programs that demonstrate innovative, evidence-based approaches to improving health, health care delivery, and patient outcomes.

Celebrating GAPNA Members Inducted as 2025 American Academy of Nursing Fellows

Join GAPNA Leadership in Guiding Our Communities

The GAPNA Education and Research Committees encourage doctoral students to submit an abstract for consideration. The submitting author (and presenting author(s) if different than submitting author) must be a GAPNA member.

Research and quality improvement (QI) projects must include the purpose, supporting literature, methodology, analysis, and results. If the project is not complete when the abstract is submitted, the student should provide as much information as possible and include the anticipated completion date.

Doctoral students are encouraged to submit an abstract for consideration. The submitting author (and presenting author(s) if different than submitting author) must be a GAPNA member. Research and quality improvement (QI) projects must include the purpose, supporting literature, methodology, analysis, and results. If the project is not complete when the abstract is submitted, the student should provide as much information as possible and include the anticipated completion date.

The GAPNA Nomination period runs from March 1 – March 31st. GAPNA Members are encouraged to run for open positions on the GAPNA Board of Directors and Nominating Committee.

GAPNA Elections are open in May each year.

When disaster strikes, true compassion shines through—and that’s exactly what the Northern California Chapter of GAPNA demonstrated with their generous donation to Meals on Wheels – California.

Dear GAPNA Members,

I am writing to provide you with an update following our recent Strategic Plan review session, which was held in person at the GAPNA Pharmacology Conference on March 6th, 2025. As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring that our organization remains aligned with the needs and mission of our members, the Board of Directors convened to assess the Strategic Plan that was initially drafted in Spring 2022.

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Are you making a difference in the care of older adults? Get the recognition you deserve or support a colleague’s impactful work by applying for one of GAPNA’s prestigious awards or scholarships.

Get Recognized
Nominate yourself or a deserving colleague for the GAPNA Excellence Awards, honoring outstanding contributions in the field of gerontological nursing.

Name and credentials:
Erica Frechman, PhD, AGPCNP-BC, ACHPN, NEA-BC, FPCN

Where you earned your degree(s):
UC Berkeley: BA
Columbia University: BSN, MSN
Vanderbilt University: PhD

Employer and title:
Assistant Professor
Wake Forest University School of Medicine

GNCC has recently updated the GS-C application to allow online submissions and payments. You may save your application and return at any time, allowing you to complete at your convenience. Be sure to have copies of your license and degree as well as your continuing education transcript handy! We look forward to seeing you submit your application.

The Primary Care SIG connects APRNs who provide primary and ambulatory care to older adults, offering a forum for collaboration, mentorship, and professional growth. Members share evidence-based practices, clinical innovations, and resources to improve geriatric care across diverse settings, including community clinics, private practices, and academic environments.

Goals:

GAPNA's Advocacy Briefs highlight key public policy priorities impacting gerontological nursing. Each brief is available for download below.

Gregory Marler, PhD, DNP, ACNP-BC, FCCP
Associate Professor, Department of Nursing

Additional Resources:

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The Northern California Chapter of GAPNA (NCCGAPNA) will be hosting our 18th annual one-day educational conference on February 1, 2025. The conference will be held online, and people can attend from anywhere in the country.

If your hospital is accredited by an approved provider, you can claim the contact hour.

GAPNA chapters work to support members at the local level.

Many chapters hold conferences, networking events, and educational events throughout the year. Connect with local chapter members through the GAPNA Exchange.

You are automatically assigned to a chapter based on your address. If you have questions about your chapter affiliation, contact the National Office at gapna@gapna.org.

GAPNA does NOT provide certification. Certification is provided through the Gerontology Nursing Certification Commission, GNCC, a separate commission established to provide APRN Gerontological Specialist certification.

GNCC currently offers the APRN Gerontological Specialist Certification exam.

The GS-C specialty certification distinguishes APRNs who possess expert knowledge, experience, and skill in managing the complex health needs of older adults. This certification recognizes expertise at the proficient level in managing complex older adults.

Foundational nurse practitioner certifications, such as the APRN-CNS(c), provide acknowledgement of the competency of the CNS in working with adults and older adults. The APRN Gerontological Specialist (GS-C) certification demonstrates expert proficiency for the management of complex older adults. With the retirement of the Gerontological NP and CNS certification, the validation for knowledge, skills, and experience on working with the health issues of the complex older adults is a missing piece to credentialing for this advanced experience.

No, GNCC is a certification agency and does not approve, develop, offer, or endorse any educational programs. The commission does provide a list of resources that may be helpful in preparing for the GS-C certification exam. We also recommend that you contact the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) for study materials.

For Initial Certification, the applicant must have completed fifty (50) contact hours of approved continuing education in gerontology within 3 years prior to submitting the exam application. Continuing education hours must be accredited by a provider of approver of continuing nursing education, or medical education, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a state board of nursing, nursing association, Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), or American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

No, do not send copies of your NCPD/CNE certificates when you submit your application. Just send your application and contact hour documentation forms. If your application is selected for random audit, copies of your certificates will be requested at that time.

No you cannot count ALL of your practice hours, however, you may only count the hours and portions of working with gerontology patients. This will be verified with your supervisor.

The candidate may submit NCPD contact hours for partial credit. It is the candidate’s responsibility to determine the portion of the NCPD contact hour’s content that was related to gerontology or applicable to gerontological populations. The candidate may also submit the course's objectives and content outline for a determination on a case-by-case basis by the GNCC Board of Directors.

For initial certification, it is not necessary to include anything over 50 contact hours. For recertification, 80 total contact hours are required, with a minimum of 50 contact hours specific to gerontology. It is suggested that you limit additional contact hours to 5.

The GAPNA Online Library does, at https://library.gapna.org/gapna.

No, however, GNCC encourages organizations and groups to pursue developing graduate programs and fellowship opportunities toward meeting the eligibility criteria to take the certification exam.

Yes, there is a standard way to list credentials after your name. Academic degrees are listed first because they are earned, are considered permanent. Nurse Practitioners are licensed by the State Boards of Nursing. National certifications are usually voluntary. When you become certified by GNCC, you should use the credentials GS-C to indicate your certification.

Yes. GNCC certification status can be verified online via the GNCC Certificant Directory. However, all application information is considered confidential and is not shared with any outside party. It is used only by C-NET and GNCC for certification processing purposes. Information concerning any candidate for certification is released only upon written request of the certification applicant.

GS-C certification does not grant any additional privileges or responsibilities above your basic license. It is a testimony to your hard work, knowledge, experience and expertise with gerontology patients and managing the complex health needs of older adults.

It is the professional responsibility of the applicant to notify GNCC of any name, address, phone numbers and/or e-mail change. You can make these changes to your online profile at www.gerocert.org after you log in with your username and password. If you already have an established online account with GAPNA, all changes made to your profile will be reflected in your GNCC certification record.

The GS-C credential is valid for five (5) years. Recertification is available by exam or by continuing education. For recertification, the applicant will have eighty (80) contact hours of approved continuing education specific to gerontology within the 5 years of certification prior to recertification.

The exam consists of 175 multiple choice questions and the time allotted for the exam is four (4) hours.

The current passing score is 70%.

If your results indicate that you did not pass, you may submit a First Time Re-Examination Application after 30 days. Note that a candidate who does not pass the examination has ONE YEAR in which to retake the exam with the shortened First Time Re-Examination Application.

An accreditation statement may be present on your NCPD certificates or in the educational activity's description. You may also contact the provider of the educational activity to verify accreditation.

You can submit your recertification application on 6 months prior to the date your certification expires.

GAPNA's Bylaws are available to view or download in PDF format.