Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)

Last Updated On Sep 6, 2024

12 Min Read

What is an Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner?

An adult gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) with a clinical focus on treating patients from adolescence through adult ages and into advanced age and geriatrics. Requiring an advanced degree and training, the adult gerontology nurse practitioner works with a broad patient population in a variety of settings, from private practices and clinics to hospitals and treatment centers, and has more independence as a practitioner than a typical registered nurse. Unlike most RNs, an adult gerontology nurse practitioner has the authority to prescribe medicines, order and analyze diagnostic tests and develop and implement full treatment plans for their patients.

Overview of AGNP Careers:

Here are a few quick facts about the educational and training requirements of an adult gerontology nurse practitioner:

Educational Aspect	Details
Educational Requirements	Master's or Doctoral degree in Nursing (MSN or DNP) specializing in Gerontology
Certifications	AGNP-BC (Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified), AGACNP-BC (Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified)
Licensing	Registered Nurse (RN) license, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) license
Continuing Education	Participation in relevant workshops, conferences, and clinical practice updates

To get an idea of what life would be like as an adult gerontology nurse practitioner, take a look at these quick facts:

Work Aspect	Details
Role Description	APRN with a clinical focus on treating patients from adolescence through adult ages and into advanced age and geriatrics
Work Settings	Private practices, specialty clinics, and hospitals, community health centers, and college campuses, healthcare technology companies
Average Salary	$96,063
Job Outlook	Projected 38% growth from 2022 to 2032
Key Responsibilities	Assessing and diagnosing patients, developing treatment plans, prescribing medications, performing procedures, and collaborating with healthcare teams.
Skills Required	Advanced clinical skills, critical thinking, decision-making, communication, empathy, and ability to work under pressure.

There is more than just one type of adult gerontology nurse practitioner; here are a few sub-specializations within this field:

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)

This type of nurse practitioner, known as an AG-ACNP, works with adult patients who are acutely ill. They may practice in areas of critical care, cardio-pulmonary, emergency/trauma care, oncology, surgery, and more. They are important members of the healthcare team and have the ability to diagnose and treat a wide variety of medical conditions. They are commonly found in emergency rooms, ICUs, and other acute inpatient or hospital settings. Many schools have programs specifically designed for the AGACNP.

Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)

The adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, or AG-PCNP, focuses on the primary health management of adults and adolescents. Their duties include educating on maintaining healthy lifestyles, disease prevention, and managing chronic illnesses. They can work in a variety of healthcare settings, including internal medicine, student health, clinics, ambulatory care centers, and more. Community-based care is a big part of their healthcare role. Students can opt to take a specific AGPCNP program.

Why Are Adult Gerontology Practitioners So Important?

While adult gerontology nurse practitioners provide care for people within a variety of age ranges, they are most commonly associated with older adults due to the average age of our population becoming older.

As the aging population continues to grow, the demand for specialized care is skyrocketing, yet the number of healthcare professionals available to meet this demand is not keeping pace. AGNPs are uniquely positioned to fill this gap. With their advanced training in geriatric care, they can provide high-quality, patient-centered care that is essential for managing the complex health issues often seen in older adults.

In a time when the shortage of nurses is leading to increased workloads, burnout, and diminished patient care, AGNPs help alleviate some of the pressures on the healthcare system. They not only deliver direct care but also play a critical role in educating patients, coordinating care across various specialties, and advocating for the needs of older adults.

Becoming an Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

In order to become an adult gerontology nurse practitioner, students must first complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. RNs must then complete a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program, in which they will take advanced courses in pathophysiology, clinical assessment, and pharmacology. The final step in becoming an adult gerontology nurse practitioner is obtaining a nurse practitioner certification from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners or the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

A typical job posting for an adult gerontology nurse practitioner position would likely include the following qualifications, among others, specific to the type of institution and patient population:

Current, unencumbered RN license
Master's-level nursing education and nurse practitioner certification
Prior professional experience as an RN or nurse practitioner
Strong interpersonal and communication skills for working with patients and caregivers
Basic computer skills and strong attention to detail are required for maintaining patient records

Step 1: AGNP Education Requirements and Training

An advanced specialty, the adult gerontology nurse practitioner position requires a minimum of a master's degree and an active RN license. Some aspiring AGNPs may choose to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, but typically an MSN is a minimum requirement. Due to this position’s high level of responsibility and authority, healthcare employers require prior professional nursing experience. Professional certification is also usually required of adult gerontology nurse practitioners.

Learn about post-master’s adult gerontology certificate programs.

Educational Prerequisites

To enter into an adult gerontology nurse practitioner graduate degree program, you’ll need to meet a number of prerequisite requirements. These include:

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN): Most programs require applicants to hold a BSN from an accredited institution.
Registered Nurse (RN) License: A current, unencumbered RN license is usually required.
Clinical Experience: Many programs require a minimum amount of clinical experience, often ranging from 1 to 2 years as an RN, preferably in adult or geriatric care.
GPA Requirements: A minimum GPA, typically around 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, is often required.
Prerequisite Coursework: Courses in areas such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and statistics may be required.
Letters of Recommendation: Most programs require 2-3 letters of recommendation, usually from professional or academic references.
GRE Scores: Some programs may require Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, though this requirement is becoming less common.

Step 2: AGNP Examination, Licensure, and Certification

Most adult gerontology nurse practitioner positions require certification as a nurse practitioner, offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). The ANCC offers two certifications for adult gerontology NPs: one in acute care and one in primary care. Eligibility requirements for the ANCC certification include an active RN license, completion of a master's, postgraduate, or doctoral degree in nursing with an emphasis on adult gerontology nursing, and a minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours in the adult gerontology nurse practitioner role.

Step 3: Finding a Job and Career Outlook

In addition to working with patients in private practices, specialty clinics, and hospitals, adult gerontology nurse practitioners are in demand in rural areas with limited access to physicians, community health centers, and college campuses. AGNPs also work for healthcare technology companies, perform healthcare research, and teach in schools, and many have their own private practices.

Working Conditions

An adult gerontology nurse practitioner cares for patients in adolescence, adulthood, and advanced age. AGNPs conduct patient exams, diagnose health problems, develop treatment plans, order diagnostic tests, interpret results, and prescribe medications. The AGNP also evaluates the performance of prescribed treatment plans, adjusts as necessary, and keeps detailed records of a patient's medical history and progress. The adult gerontology nurse practitioner also educates patients and caregivers about managing their illnesses and diseases.

Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Responsibilities & Duties

Analyzes patients' health histories, symptoms, and diagnostic information to develop appropriate diagnoses and develops comprehensive treatment plans accordingly
Prescribes medication dosages, routes, and frequencies and educates patients on the risks and side effects associated with medication
Orders and interprets the results of diagnostic tests such as blood counts, electrocardiograms, and X-rays
Educates patients and caregivers about self-management of acute or chronic illnesses and conditions
Diagnoses and treats common acute healthcare problems such as illnesses, infections, and injuries
Evaluates the effectiveness of a patient's treatment plan and makes changes to the plan if needed

Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Salary & Employment

Adult gerontology nurse practitioners earn an average annual wage of $96,063 as of 2024. Salaries can range from around $88,000 up to $113,000 per year, according to PayScale. Salaries are generally dependent on things like the nurse’s level of experience, the type of employer, and other factors such as geographical location (state/city). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are a few of the highest-paying states for nurse practitioners:

California
Nevada
Washington
New Jersey
Oregon

According to the same source, here are a few states where the employment levels are highest for nurse practitioners:

Florida
California
Texas
New York
Tennesee

Employment of advanced practice registered nurses, a segment that includes nurse practitioners, is projected to grow 38 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations in the U.S. This expected growth can be attributed primarily to a large aging population and an increased emphasis on preventative care in the healthcare industry.

Learn more about NP salary and other APRN career options.

Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner FAQs

Each family and its dynamics are different, as familial structures are different. Some families are close-knit while others may have estrangement. In this case, hostility, strife, and disagreement can interfere with the care of a patient. Nurse practitioners must utilize the nursing process to identify the individual needs of families and address the concerns they may have. They must:

Assess - It’s important to listen objectively and validate concerns. When meeting with the patient and family, NPs can assess the family’s knowledge base, willingness to learn, and even the stage of the grieving process.
Educate - It’s also important to educate the patient and family, whether it is regarding the disease process, treatment, or prognosis. Every attempt should be made to involve the family in developing a plan of care as feelings of loss of control are common, especially in end-of-life care. Ultimately, NPs must uphold the patient’s health care wishes, even if they differ from what the family wants.
Implement treatment - NPs must implement treatment plans that align with the patient’s wishes - whether it is to stop all treatment or to employ every treatment possible. Bringing in assistance from counselors or social workers also may be necessary.
Evaluate - Gerontology nurse practitioners should continuously evaluate not just the patient’s response to the treatment plan, but the family dynamics as well to identify any additional needs.