Highlights Neurology teams can care for patients with COVID-19 in lieu of being redeployed. Maintaining team structures has advantages to redeployment during pandemic surges. Streamlining neurological services increases capacity to care for COVID-19 patients.

Background: Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) play a pivotal role in meeting the increasing needs of elder care given the aging population. A good understanding of the characteristics of gerontological APRNs is important for future workforce planning. Purpose: To understand the demographic, employment, and practice characteristics of APRNs who provide elder care. Methods: A 34-item survey was distributed to 2,500 current members of the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association. Three hundred and sixty-four members provided demographic information and employment and practice patterns. To examine the sample representativeness, the survey sample was compared with a sample drawn from the National Sample Survey of Nurse Practitioners 2012. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Results: Most respondents were older than 55 years, held a master's degree, were certified as a Gerontology APRN, worked in a long-term/elder care setting as an APRN, earned a salary ranging from $105,001 to $125,000, and practiced in urban or suburban areas. Most respondents worked full time, provided care for people who were 55 to 75 years old, and prescribed under a collaborative agreement. Implications for practice: The study results suggested that gerontological APRNs have the experience and competence to meet the increasing needs of elder care, practice in a variety of settings, including in rural areas, and spend much time with patients. Future efforts are needed to support APRN practice, such as improving their autonomy and independence.

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