Adult Gerontology Primary & Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification
Adult-Gerontology NPs are advanced practice providers who work with patients from early adulthood through the golden years. Many adult-gerontology NPs (AGNPs) serve as the sole primary care provider for patients and care for them throughout their adult life. It can be extremely rewarding to be able to establish and maintain a provider-patient relationship for many years, as it establishes trust and promotes healthcare compliance.
For this specialty, NPs complete a specialty track in school which focuses on the adult-gerontology patient population. This specialty track can be completed in an MSN or DNP program, as well as via a post-graduate certificate program. However, AGNPs must still sit for the certification exam following graduation.
Why Do I Need an Adult-Gerontology Primary & Acute Care NP Certificate?
In short, NPs must become certified in their specialty of choice in order to be licensed in the state where they practice. Some states require certification before applying for APRN licensure, and some allow for licensure contingent on earning the certification.
Another reason why an NP might choose to become certified is to become skilled in a different specialty area. For example, a women's health clinic NP might choose to become certified in adult-gerontology to be able to expand his or her practice, and even care for patients in the acute care setting. It widens the NPs scope and knowledge base.
Where Can I Get an Adult-Gerontology Primary & Acute Care NP Certificate?
There are a few organizations that offer AGNP certification:
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Certificate Name: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Credential Awarded: AGPCNP-BC
Cost: Non-members: $395, American Nurses Association members: $295, American Association of Nurse Practitioners member: $340, American Association of Nurse Practitioners student member: $290, Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association member: $340
Certification Requirements & Eligibility
The ANCC describes eligibility requirements for the AGPCNP-BC certificate as follows:
- Hold a current, active RN license
- Have a Master's Doctoral, or Postgraduate degree from an accredited AGNP program
- Have completed a minimum of 500 supervised clinical practice hours in adult-gerontology primary care
- Have completed an advanced physiology, pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology course
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Certificate Name: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Credential Awarded: AGACNP-BC
Cost: Non-members: $395, American Nurses Association members: $295, American Association of Nurse Practitioners member: $340, American Association of Nurse Practitioners student member: $290, Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association member: $340
Certification Requirements & Eligibility
The requirements for an acute care nurse practitioner certificate are very similar to the primary care NP requirements. The acute care NP certification requirements include:
- Hold a current, active RN license
- Have a Master's Doctoral, or Postgraduate degree from an accredited AGNP program
- Have completed a minimum of 500 supervised clinical practice hours in adult-gerontology acute care
Have completed an advanced physiology, pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology course.
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANP)
Certificate Name: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Credential Awarded: A-GNP
Cost: The cost for initial certification is $240 for AANP members, $315 for non-members. Paper examinations are $50 added to the previous costs. There are additional fees for other items such as practice tests, verification requests, wallet cards, cancellation fees, etc.
Certification Requirements & Eligibility
The AANPCB provides a very detailed handbook which describes the certification process and eligibility requirements, which include:
- Have completed an accredited graduate, post-graduate, or doctoral program focusing on the adult-gerontological population
- Have completed core courses in advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment AND a minimum of 500 hours of supervised clinical practice
- Have a current RN or APRN license
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
Certificate Name: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification-Adult-Gerontology
Credential Awarded: ACNPC-AG
Cost: AACN members: $255, non-members: $360
Certification Requirements & Eligibility
The AACN provides an online handbook for applicants that is a great resource. Eligibility requirements include:
- Current, unencumbered RN or APRN license
- Completion of a graduate-level advanced-practice education program accredited by the CCNE or ACEN with a concentration in adult-gerontology acute care
- Have completed a minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours in adult-gerontology acute care
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