The gerontological nurse practitioner in the nursing home: 12 years later.

Comparing graduates of a GNP program 12 years ago with those graduating from a recent program revealed that GNPs are now staying in their roles. This is in spite of a number of barriers to practice over the years. GNPs also are continuing to work in nursing homes. At the University of Washington, we believed that training and hiring GNPs was one way to improve the care of patients in nursing homes. Our program was designed to meet that goal. That it has been achieved is evidenced by the low turnover and the GNPs' satisfaction in their roles. States should therefore encourage nursing homes to hire GNPs, as in Washington. As the clinical arm for the director of nursing service, and working together with the physician, the GNP can improve patient care as never before.