An aging population, combined with a projected shortage of physicians in the United States, has resulted in an increased demand for advanced practice registered nurses who can work autonomously and provide quality care in a wide range of settings.*
The need for highly trained professionals with the specialized skills to treat diverse populations ranging from adolescents to the elderly is especially great. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, fewer than 10% of nurse practitioners are certified in either adult-gerontology acute care or adult-gerontology primary care.**