The New York State Education Department has approved Keuka College’s Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) program to be offered online, opening the program to aspiring nurse practitioners nationwide. Classes began this semester.
With the nation’s aging population rapidly increasing, the demand for senior nurse practitioners has never been greater. According to the Population Reference Bureau, the number of Americans aged 65 or older is expected to grow by more than 40% by 2050, rising from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million.
“There is a dire need for (nurses) who will care for the aging population,” said Dr. Ann Kriebel-Gasparro, president of the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, in an interview with DailyNurse in June. This need is particularly urgent in regions like the Finger Lakes, where the population is aging and healthcare providers are scarce.
The state’s July 31 approval comes on the heels of the AGPCNP program’s most recent success — a 100% pass rate on the national certification exam — demonstrating the high caliber of education and preparation Keuka College students receive.
The program includes one weekend per semester of on-campus instruction.
“Our online AGPCNP program is tailored to meet the needs of today’s nursing professionals, many of whom work outside the traditional nine-to-five schedule,” said Dr. Elizabeth Russo ’98, director of the College’s graduate nursing programs. “This format allows them to complete coursework in a way that best fits their busy lives, without sacrificing the quality of their education.”
The program is open to nurses with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. While most coursework is completed online, students will also participate in a weekend on-campus immersion each semester, where they’ll gain hands-on experience and engage with faculty and peers. Additionally, students will have access to a broad network of clinical professionals, allowing them to complement their academic learning with practical experience.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be fully prepared to take the national certification examination for Advanced Practice, either through the American Nurse Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
For information about Keuka College’s online Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program, visit keuka.edu/aoe/nurse-practitioner.
