AGNP vs FNP: Which Nurse Practitioner Path is Right for You?

Family nurse practitioners (FNP) and adult-gerontology nurse practitioners (AGNP) are two of the most popular NP specialties. While both are advanced practice registered nurses with graduate degrees, the career fields are vastly different. Choosing between these growing NP careers requires understanding these differences and how they align with your interests and goals.

This article directly compares AGNP vs. FNP differences, including their duties, workplaces, salary, and career outlook. Continue reading to learn which career suits your nursing journey.

What is an FNP?

A family nurse practitioner (FNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who provides family-centered care to patients of all ages. FNPs offer patients a broad range of care from infancy to adolescence and adulthood. 

Family Nurse Practitioner

You can become an FNP with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. You can complete an MSN FNP degree in two to three years, while a DNP may take three to four.

The MSN curriculum will provide a solid foundation in nursing theory, advanced clinical practice, and patient care management. Comparatively, a DNP is a terminal degree focused on leadership, evidence-based practice, systems thinking, and healthcare policy.

Choosing between an MSN and a DNP depends on several factors, including your preferred program length, education priorities, and career goals.  Check out our comprehensive MSN FNP vs MSN DNP guide to learn which degree best suits your unique situation.

FNP Work Environments

Settings that FNPs can work in include the following:

• Academia
• Ambulatory care clinics
• Clinics
• Community health centers 
• Correctional facilities
• Government sector
• Home health care
• Hospice centers
• Hospitals
• Long-term care facilities
• Nurse-managed health centers
• Outpatient care centers
• Rehabilitation centers
• School system
• Private offices/private practice
• Urgent care centers

What is an AGNP?

AGNP means adult-gerontology nurse practitioner. This type of NP treats patients throughout adulthood, specifically focusing on the elderly. They diagnose, examine, and treat their patients while offering routine checkups, assessments, counseling, and education.

AGNP Specialties

Aspiring AGNPs will choose between two specialties: primary care (AGPCNP) and acute care (AGACNP).

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)

AGPCNPs focus on illness prevention and promoting the health of their patients. An AGPCNP will focus on long-term health maintenance in adults and older people. Furthermore, duties include teaching patients and their families about health management and disease prevention. 

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)

AGACNPs treat illnesses, including stabilizing their condition and restoring them to health. Their focus is the treatment of severe, short-term conditions in adults and the elderly. Some AGNP daily responsibilities include diagnosing and treating patients, stabilizing critical patients, prescribing medications, and performing procedures.

AGNP Degree Options

Like FNPs, you can become an AGNP with an MSN or DNP degree. An AGNP MSN will require approximately 500 clinical hours, while DNP programs require 1,000. Also, like FNP programs, MSNs take about two years to complete, and DNPs take three to four. 

The terminal DNP degree focuses on leadership, administration, research, and advanced clinical practice. While those with a DNP degree can practice at the bedside, most will hold administrative, education, or leadership positions.

In 2018, the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties called for DNPs to become the entry-level degree for nurse practitioners by 2025. As of June 2022, the AACN  supports the DNP as the entry-level for advanced practice registered nurses. While there are still many MSN programs, more and more AGNP programs are transitioning to DNP degrees.

AGNP Work Environments

Your work environment may vary depending on whether you're a primary or acute care AGNP. However, typical workplaces for AGNPs include the following:

• Hospitals
• Long-term care settings
• Private Practice
• Academia
• Intensive Care Units
• Inpatient facilities
• Emergency departments
• Community health clinics
• Rehabilitation centers
• Ambulatory care clinics 
• Correctional facilities
• Urgent care clinics
• Academia 

AGNP vs. FNP Key Differences

FNPs and AGNPs diagnose, treat, and care for patients suffering from various illnesses and diseases. NPs in both specialties often collaborate with physicians and other healthcare workers. However, in states with full practice authority for nurse practitioners, they may practice independently.

AGNP vs. FNP Patient Demographics

While FNPs and AGNPs have several similarities, they are distinct nurse practitioner specialties. The most significant difference between these fields is their patient demographic. 

FNPs see patients across the lifespan, from infancy to old age. However, AGNPs treat patients from adolescence (roughly 13 years old) and focus on the elderly. Since FNP education includes caring for babies and children, they often have more career opportunities than AGNPs. 

AGNP vs. FNP Workplaces

Another notable difference is that FNPs generally work in primary care settings, such as a doctor’s office. AGNPs may also work in a private practice office but are more likely to work in a hospital setting.

AGNP vs. FNP Job Demand

Both FNPs and AGNPs are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the NP field will grow by 46% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than all other jobs. At that rate, there will be a need for an additional 135,500 NPs during that time.

AGNP vs. FNP Salary

Payscale reports that family nurse practitioners earn an average annual salary of $105,459. The site also reports that adult-gerontology NPs make slightly more, bringing in around $107,990 annually.

While FNPs and AGNPs earn substantial salaries, they are slightly below the BLS' national average of $126,260 for all NPs.

Growth Opportunities

Both FNPs and AGNPs have countless growth opportunities in the US. State laws govern practice authority, including full, reduced, and restricted practice. The AANP’s Interactive State Practice Environment map shows NP practice authority in every state, Washington D.C., and all US territories.

Year after year, more states grant NPs full practice authority. This trend creates an increased need for NPs. Full practice authority allows for the following:

• Increased access to care
• Better healthcare efficiency
• Lower healthcare costs
• Increased patient satisfaction

According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), older adults aged 65+ are expected to represent 22% of the population by 2040, or roughly 78.3 million. FNPs and AGNPs will be necessary to care for this increasing number of older adults.

How to Choose Between FNP and AGNP

Your career goals and interests will drive your decision between FNP and AGNP. An FNP education focuses on family-centered care from infancy to adolescence and adulthood. Alternatively, AGNPs treat patients from adolescence to old age.

Because the main difference is the age of the patients each type of NP treats, it’s essential to know your interests. If you prefer to treat and diagnose adults, becoming an AGNP might be the better path.