OHCA, in collaboration with Department of Human Services (ODHS) Aging and People with Disabilities, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing (UNMC), and the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), has secured funding with a generous grant from ODHS to provide ~700 Oregon registered nurses with full scholarships to complete the AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep training course at no cost.

To receive a scholarship, nurses must meet the scholarship requirements (see below).

Submit a Scholarship Application Form Here

Program Components

The following components are included at no cost for those receiving scholarships via this program:

  • Access to the Gero Nurse Prep training course from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing (UNMC)
  • Course textbook
  • The option to take the Gerontological Nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) GERO BC Exam (for RNs who meet exam criteria and seek certification)
    • Please see FAQs below for more information on taking the exam for free as a part of this scholarship.
  • Faculty support during the training course
  • The exclusive option to participate in cohorts and coaching (see below)

About the Course

The UNMC Gero Nurse Prep​ comprehensive online training course is specifically designed to elevate RN knowledge and skills in working with older adults in various care settings. The course is designed against the gold standard of board certification to successfully prepare nurses to become board certified  in gerontological nursing as administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Board certified RNs achieve the title of GERO-BC by demonstrating proficiency via certification exam in the following areas: professionalism, assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation specific to the care of older adults. Gero Nurse Prep grads who choose to take the ANCC gerontological nursing certification exam have a pass rate of 95% on their first try, significantly higher than average for those taking this exam for the first time.

The GeroNursePrep course is a 10-module, online training with support from UNMC faculty advisors. Individuals receiving scholarships under this grant are able to take the online training as an independent study and/or participate in a learning cohort.  Cohort participants meet routinely (virtually) with fellow nurse colleagues and UNMC faculty. Learning cohorts enhance student experience and learning, foster collaboration, and offer additional support and technical assistance throughout the course of study and for exam prep.  ANCC Board certification is not required but is highly encourage for all Registered Nurses who complete the GNP course and meet certification criteria set forth by ANCC.

Scholarship recipients have the choice to work at their own pace or to join with other learners to progress with faculty in a set timeline through the course. OHCA asks that the scholarship recipient complete the course within one year. OHCA will support learners to pursue certification with the ANCC. More information about ANCC Exam fee reimbursement qualifications will be available soon.

Expanded Project-Cohort/Coaching

To increase learner success and experience, coaching and cohorting is offered as an exclusive benefit to Oregon scholarship recipients through this program. This allows learners to connect and progress through the course with fellow nurse colleagues under the guidance of faculty. Numerous interactions in the cohorts include group orientation, touch points, and one-on-one communications with faculty and accompany this extended offer.

Upcoming cohort dates are:

  • October 11, 2023-February 21, 2024
  • January 17, 2024-May 29, 2024

Scholarship Requirements

Until all scholarships are distributed, individuals must meet the following qualifications to receive a scholarship for this program:

  • Submission of a complete scholarship form (RNs may self-submit their scholarship forms, supervisor approval is not needed)
  • Oregon RN license in good standing
  • Scholarship availability
    • Scholarship funding is available now until funds are depleted or until June 30, 2024, whichever occurs earlier.
    • There is no requirement to work in a particular type of setting.

How to Complete a Scholarship Form

Long term care nurses may submit the nomination form for themselves or they may be nominated by a supervisor.

Submit a Scholarship Application Form Here

OHCA will review scholarship application forms on a first come, first served basis and submission of a form is NOT enrollment in the program.

Program Communication

OHCA will communicate directly with scholarship form nominees within 15 business days following submission of a form.

Nominees will be notified if they :

  • Meet program requirements and are approved for a scholarship OR
  • Do not meet program requirements

Individuals that are notified that they are approved for a scholarship will receive follow-up communication from the Gero Nurse Prep Course staff, located within the College of Nursing at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. This will include instructions for course enrollment, how to access the course, and what to do to join a cohort.

Contact

Contact OHCA at info@ohca.com with questions about the scholarship nomination form.

Contact Tim Gilbert at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, tgilbert@unmc.edu, for any questions directly related to course participation (enrollment, technical issues, cohorts, etc.).

FAQs

Where can I find information about the Gero Nurse Prep course and the OHCA course scholarship program?

https://www.ohca.com/events/gero-nurse-prep-course/

Where can I find information about the course offerings and all course information?

https://www.geronurseprep.com/

Who do I contact for more information about the course, enrollment, technical issues, cohort questions, etc.?

Tim Gilbert at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, tgilbert@unmc.edu

How can I receive a scholarship for this program?

To receive a scholarship, nurses must complete a scholarship form and have an active Oregon RN license.

Here is the scholarship nomination form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OHCAGeroNurseApplication

Do I have to have to be an RN to qualify for this scholarship?

Yes, qualified applicants must have an active Oregon RN license.

Do I have to work at an Oregon long term care facility to qualify for this scholarship?

No, RNs may work in any setting and have an interest in enhancing their skills in caring for older/aging individuals.

How is this scholarship funded?

OHCA, in collaboration with Department of Human Services (ODHS) Aging and People with Disabilities, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing (UNMC), and the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), has secured funding with a generous grant from ODHS to provide ~700 Oregon nurses with full scholarships to complete the AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep training course at no cost.

How long is this scholarship program open?

The scholarship program is open until all scholarships are utilized or June 2024, whichever occurs earlier. Scholarships are granted on a first come, first served basis.

What is the Gero Nurse Prep Course?

The UNMC Gero Nurse Prep​ comprehensive online training course is specifically designed to elevate RN knowledge and skills in working with older adults in various care settings. This training was created to prepare RNs who care for elders attain board certification in Gerontological Nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

The GeroNursePrep course is a 10-module, online training with support from UNMC faculty advisors.

What are the details on the program cohorts?

To increase learner success and experience, coaching and cohorting is offered as an exclusive benefit to Oregon scholarship recipients. This allows learners to connect and progress through the course with fellow nurse colleagues under the guidance of faculty. Numerous interactions in the cohorts include group orientation, touch points, and one-on-one communications with faculty and accompany this extended offer. Cohort classes will launch in November, January, March, May, June and July. Placement in preferred cohort group is on a first come, first served basis and cohort preference should be noted on all nomination forms.

My supervisor/administrator told me they submitted a nomination form on my behalf, when will I know if I received a scholarship?

OHCA will communicate directly with scholarship form nominees within 15 business days following submission of a form from their supervisor/administrator.

Nominees will be notified if they:

  • Meet program requirements and are approved for a scholarship OR
  • Do not meet program requirements

I received an email saying that I received a scholarship, how do I enroll in the course?

Within two weeks of receiving a scholarship confirmation email from OHCA, individuals will receive follow-up communication from the Gero Nurse Prep Course staff, located within the College of Nursing at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. This will include instructions for course enrollment, how to access the course, and what to do to join a cohort.

Contact Tim Gilbert at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, tgilbert@unmc.edu, with questions about enrollment.

I received an email saying that I received a scholarship and enrollment information but I don’t want to start the class until later in the year.

That is fine; OHCA asks that scholarship recipients complete the course within one year from scholarship notification date.

Contact Tim Gilbert at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, tgilbert@unmc.edu, with questions about enrollment.

I received an email saying that I am waitlisted. What does this mean and how can I get a scholarship?

If you received a communication saying you were waitlisted for the program scholarship, contact info@ohca.com if you would like to discuss your eligibility.

I received an email saying that I am not eligible for the program scholarship. What does this mean?

If you received a communication saying you were not eligible for the program scholarship, contact info@ohca.com if you would like to discuss your eligibility.

My supervisor/administrator told me they submitted a scholarship nomination form for me but I haven’t received any communication about whether I got the scholarship or not.

OHCA will communicate with nominees within 3 weeks to let them know their scholarship status. Please check your junk mail box for communications that may be stuck there. Contact info@ohca.com if you believe you were nominated more than three weeks ago and have not received any communication from OHCA.

Does this scholarship include the registration fee to complete the certification exam?

Yes, University of Nebraska Medical Center staff will email you the coupon code once you have completed the Gero Nurse Prep Course. Additionally, scholarship recipients may contact info@ohca.com for the exam fee coupon code.

What do I do with the exam fee coupon code in order to take the ANCC BC exam as a part of this scholarship? 

The University of Nebraska Medical Center staff or OHCA staff will provide all scholarship recipients with a coupon code to take the ANCC BC exam at no cost as a part of this scholarship. Please contact info@ohca.com with questions. To use the coupon code:

  • All certification candidates must create an ANCC account. Candidates must go to the ANCC website to select the ANCC BC (gerontological test) at: https://www.nursingworld.org/our-certifications/
  • Candidates should review the eligibility requirements then click on “Apply Online” to open an ANCC account to submit a certification application. Next candidates, should complete an online application and then submit that application to ANCC, at the checkout page, type the 8 digit discount code in the box designated “Enter Promotional Code.”  Once the discount code is entered, click the words “Apply Promo.”  This will adjust the order total on the screen to $0.00 and will allow check out without using a credit card, as the balance is “zero”.  Then click “Process My Order” located at the bottom left-hand side of the page as the final step for submitting an application to ANCC.

Please note that the program would allow certification candidates 2 maximum attempts to pass certification, and will require a resubmission of application for retesting. Candidates may resubmit (online) a certification application (2nd attempt) after 5 days from the initial certification exam date,  however will not be able to retest till after 60 days has lapsed. For additional retesting information, please go to: Scores and Retest Application