How to Become an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)

Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners (AGNPs) provide care and support to patients throughout their adult lives. They diagnose, examine, and treat their patients while offering routine checkups, assessments, counseling, and education. 

AGNPs also continually educate their patients and caregivers. They aim to develop and implement healthy lifestyles and disease prevention plans for their patients.

AGNP Fast Facts

Adult-gerontology NPs can specialize in primary care or acute care. Choosing between these specialties is essential because it will determine which certification you pursue.

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP)

AG-ACNPs treat illnesses, including stabilizing their condition and restoring them to health. They typically work in hospitals or inpatient settings.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP)

AG-PCNPs, on the other hand, focus on illness prevention and promoting the health of their patients. They often work in community clinics or private practice settings.

Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners oversee the care of patients 13 years of age and older. While some might focus on the younger spectrum of patients, most will focus solely on the geriatric community.

Some duties you may perform as an AGNP include the following:

• Analyzing patients' health histories, symptoms, and tests to develop appropriate diagnoses
• Creating comprehensive treatment plans based on patient diagnoses
• Evaluating the effectiveness of care plans and changing them as necessary
• Ordering and interpreting the results of diagnostic tests
• Prescribing medication dosages, routes, and frequencies
• Educating patients on the risks and side effects associated with medication
• Educating patients and caregivers about self-management of acute or chronic illnesses and conditions

Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners have specific duties depending on whether they specialize in primary or acute care, and they’ll vary depending on where they work. 

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) Duties

AG-ACNPs generally care for patients in a hospital setting. Their day-to-day duties include diagnosing patients and developing treatment plans, stabilizing patients in critical care areas, prescribing medications, and performing procedures.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP) Duties

AG-PCNPs are primarily concerned with preventative care and disease prevention. As such, their duties include teaching patients and their families about health management and disease prevention. They also help patients manage long-term health issues.

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Adult gerontology nurse practitioners earn an average annual salary of $118,644, according to Zip Recruiter. This estimate exceeds the median annual income for all NPs, which is $128,490 or $61.78 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

In addition to salary, you'll be eligible for benefits as part of your employer's total compensation package, which may include:

AGNP Salary by Years of Experience

Based on years of experience, Payscale reports that AGNPs can make the following:

Experience Level	Annual Salary
1 Year or Less	$90,000
1 to 4 Years	$106,00
5 to 9 Years	$122,000
10 to 19 Years	$96,000
20 Years or More	$82,000

To become an Adult-Gerontology NP, you’ll need to complete the following steps:

Step 1: Become a Registered Nurse

The first step to becoming an AGNP is earning your registered nurse (RN) license. To become an RN, you must attend an accredited two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. After graduating from the program, you'll need to pass the NCLEX examination and apply for RN licensure in your state.

Step 2: Gain Experience

In select cases, you may be able to enter a graduate nursing program directly after earning a BSN. However, most AGNP programs will require at least two years of relevant work experience. This experience will build your nursing skills and prepare you for the next step in your education.

Step 3: Attend an Accredited AGNP Program

Adult gerontology nurse practitioner programs culminate in a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. MSN programs last 1-2 years, while DNP programs take 3-4. Though longer, a DNP may give you a competitive edge in the job market and leverage during salary negotiations.

Before entering the program, ADN-prepared nurses will complete an additional step: either completing their BSN degree or finding an accelerated RN-to-MSN program that allows them to earn their BSN and MSN simultaneously.

Step 4: Earn an AGNP Certification

After graduating from an accredited program, you'll be eligible to sit for several certification exams, depending on your career goals:

Certification	Certifying Authority
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP-BC)	American Nurses Credentialing Center
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP-BC)	American Nurses Credentialing Center
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP)	American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the career outlook for NPs is excellent, with an expected 38% growth rate from 2022 to 2032. Although the entire NP career field can expect to expand, AGNPs may see even more growth due to the aging population. Currently, the highest concentrated need is in Florida and Arizona due to the large retired community.

Additionally, AGNPs may become even more vital as the primary care shortage continues. The National Center for Workforce Analysis (NCHWA) reported an estimated 68,020 primary care physician shortage by 2036. Adult gerontology nurse practitioners will help fill this void.

The prospects for AGNPs are bright, and the increasing demand for them means AGNP schools are among the easiest nurse practitioner programs to get into.

The continuing education units (CEUs) required to maintain nursing licensure vary by state. Generally, NPs must have at least 75 contact hours of continuing education in their specialty area.

Additionally, even though they function in an APRN role, AGNPs must maintain their RN licensure. Although RN continuing education requirements also vary by state, in general, you must complete a certain number of CEUs, submit an application, and pay a nominal fee. You can learn more about your specific requirements by contacting your state's Board of Nursing or visiting its website.

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