How to Become an AGNP – Education, Skills, Career

Suppose you’ve found your calling in healthcare and assisting others; congratulations. Are you happy to help individuals? Do you mainly connect with or are inspired to care for seniors? If that characterizes you, a career as an AGNP will be a suitable and rewarding option.

According to the Population Reference Bureau, 95 million Americans will be 65 or older by 2060. That is an 83% increase from 2018. The number of people needing geriatric care continues to rise, but only about 6,900 expert geriatrics have gerontology licenses. As a result, there will be more employment prospects for AGNP in years to come. In this article, you will learn about this career, the academic requirements, and the wages of today’s adult gerontology nurse practitioner.

Article Navigation: What is an AGNP? | FNP vs. ANP | Steps on How to Become an AGNP | AGNP Education Requirements for Gerontological Nurse Practitioners Schooling | Top Online AGNP Programs | What to Look for in a Great FNP or AGNP School | Licensure and Certification: AGNP Scope of Practice | Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner: Career Information | Professional Organizations, Societies, and Agencies | Frequently Asked Questions: How To Become an AGNP | Final Thoughts!

What is an AGNP?

Gerontology is a branch of health science that studies the aging process of adults and analyzes the causes and implications of age-related diseases in people. The area investigates the distinctive, physiological, social, and psychological elements of aging in addition to the biological features of aging, such as the stiffening of artery walls in the cardiovascular system.

The AGNP or adult gerontological nurse practitioners’ main focus or priority is on the treatment and care of older adults. This population has unique demands since the body no longer develops after adulthood. As they age, patients’ systems’ capacity to respond to stimuli and heal reduces. Some of the age-related alterations in patients include:

• Reduced bone density
• Reduced respiratory strength
• Greater likelihood of infection

What can an AGNP do?

Gerontological nurses often assist their adult or older patients in gaining more mobility. Since most of the disorders they treat are complex, the capacity of patients to function without immediate support is vital to the profession of an AGNP. However, assisting senior patients in staying mentally and physically active encompasses a variety of abilities.

Nurse practitioners maintain strong listening and communication abilities to be able to deal with requests that are frequently in conflict while being able to provide solutions promptly. In addition to providing physical examinations and coordinating tests, other core responsibilities or AGNP scope of practice include:

• Instructing patients and family members on preventative measures;
• Describing important safety concerns and how to deal with them;
• Linking patients with valuable resources;
• Evaluating the cognitive condition of a patient;
• Understanding how chronic diseases unfold;
• Addressing inquiries concerning typical health problems like urinary retention;
• Administering and prescribing medications.

Where does an AGNP work?

Most AGNP can operate in diverse settings linked with gerontological nursing. A few of the healthcare settings or industries where they work include:

Nursing Homes

Nursing homes are adapted to support people who need full-time care and have a variety of mental and physical disorders. They make three meals daily, supervise patients around the clock, and help with personal care activities like bathing and eating.

Hospitals

AGNP usually operates in acute care departments in a hospital, providing care to senior citizens who need intensive or immediate attention. These are patients who have had a serious fall or developed pneumonia.

Assisted Living Facilities

At some of these facilities, an AGNP can act in a supervisory capacity, assisting with routine patient exams and delivering drugs as permitted by state legislation. Although many residents of assisted living facilities are still very independent, they might not need the 24-hour care that most nursing homes provide.

Senior Care Facilities

Senior care facilities assist older adults who are recuperating from an illness, or injury, or require assistance with daily tasks like walking, dressing, bathing, etc.

FNP vs. ANP

An adult-gerontology nurse practitioner or AGNP is a nurse who treats or assists seniors, adults, and adolescents. A family nurse practitioner (FNP) specializes in primary care and focuses on adults, children, and adolescents. An FNP will care for children beginning in infancy or early childhood, but an AGNP will treat teenagers starting at age 13.

Which is better, FNP or AGNP?

You have additional employment options if you pursue an FNP degree instead of an AGNP. An FNP degree is much more likely to allow you to transition into a different practice area if you wish to transfer specialties. Several adult nurse practitioners see themselves returning to school when their interests change since their degree doesn’t permit as much transition across specialties. Also, if you compare “AGNP vs. FNP,” you will realize that FNP serves more individuals, populations, or groups.

Steps on How to Become an AGNP

There are a few requirements in regards to your education and qualification before you may become an AGNP. After completing these phases, you can start looking for employment in healthcare settings, medical offices, or hospitals, depending on your specialized role.

Step 1: Obtain a BSN degree

Before you can practice as an AGNP, you must obtain your BSN degree. With the help of this degree, you can learn the fundamentals of nursing and gain the competencies necessary to become a nurse practitioner. Before aiming for a more robust or advanced degree, like the MSN degree, you must earn a BSN.

Step 2: Excel in the NCLEX-RN Exam

After earning your BSN degree, you must obtain a license to operate as a nurse practitioner. For that to happen, candidates must excel on the NCLEX-RN examination. Try to ensure that you spend some time preparing for the assessment. Study practice questions and undertake practice tests. Once you excel in the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam, you can apply for the license to practice as a nurse practitioner.

Step 3: Gain Knowledge Taking Care of Elderly Patients

Although AGNPs care for adults of all ages, aspiring practitioners must ensure they have hands-on experience caring for elderly patients. It’s essential to effectively provide compassionate and appropriate care for the elderly owing to their increased risk of health problems. You can acquire this kind of knowledge while pursuing your BSN. Graduates can also think about helping out in senior care facilities or neighborhood hospitals.

Step 4: Obtain Your MSN

After you’ve earned a BSN degree and completed at least 500 hours of clinical practice acquiring the RN license, seek an advanced degree. An MSN degree cement your path to working as an AGNP.

Professionals can use this degree to obtain the advanced education and training required to perform the job as a registered nurse. While getting your MSN, you might choose to concentrate on adult gerontology. Doing this helps to equip you with the required skills necessary to practice as an AGNP.

Step 5: Excel in the AGNP Certification Exam

You must obtain certification to fulfill the criteria to practice as an AGNP. Completing and excelling in the AGNP certification examination is required for this. Organizations that provide these exams to graduates include the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Generally, you can decide the institution where you’ll obtain your AGNP certification. Remember that you must fulfill specific requirements to sit for an AGNP exam.

Step 6: Opt for a Doctorate Degree

After you acquire your MSN degree, you shouldn’t discontinue your education. For a fact, you can continue your studies and receive your DNP degree. With more professional options and higher-paying jobs, a DNP may open new doors for you.

AGNP Education Requirements for Gerontological Nurse Practitioners Schooling

For aspiring nurse practitioners, they must meet the following academic requirements for the AGNP program:

• Have a baccalaureate certificate in nursing from any ACEN or CCNE-accredited nursing institution;
• Earn a master’s degree from any ACEN or CCNE accredited nursing institution;
• Have a GPA not less than 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale) via your graduate academic program.

Note: Once enrolled, you must maintain the AGNP scope of practice.

Top Online AGNP Programs

Aspiring practitioners can choose from any of these online AGNP programs.

Master of Science in Nursing: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

The specialization focuses on providing patient-centered, high-quality preventative care. It supplies nurse practitioners with clinical and didactic experiences that equip them to look after patients’ psychological, emotional, and physical health and the health of their families and communities. The curriculum combines evidence, simulation, technology, policy, and research-based nursing practice with diagnostic reasoning and clinical judgment.

Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner

The MSN degree with a concentration in family nurse practitioner strongly emphasizes ongoing, all-encompassing wellness and illness care for patients and health promotion, disease management, and health education for towns and cities. The FNP program prepares or trains competent registered nurses ready to take the national certification exam for family nurse practitioners and get approved for advanced practice.

Master of Science in Nursing: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

The adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP) course will equip students to evaluate, identify, and treat health issues. The curriculum centers on patient-centered/evidence-based care with a focus on disease prevention, quality control, and streamlined care coordination.

Note: This nursing concentration is obtainable in most AGNP programs online.

What to Look for in a Great FNP or AGNP School

Accreditation

College accreditation plays an important role when choosing Institutions to consider for the AGNP degree. To ensure that you are on the right path, choose only ACEN or CCNE-accredited nursing institutions.

Tuition Cost

When pursuing a nurse practitioner degree, most candidates are compelled to forego the cost of study and take out loans without considering their available earnings. It’s not a wrong decision to take out loans to pay for your NP program, but remember that you will have to reimburse them.

Length of Program

If you enroll full or part-time, online AGNP programs can last anywhere from two to six years. Therefore, ensure that the institution you choose meets this criterion as well.

Success Rate in Qualifying Examination

For graduates, the aim is to obtain certification as a nurse practitioner (NP). Therefore, when evaluating NP schools, find out what proportion of recent graduates pass the qualifying examination for nurse practitioners. It will give you an informed idea of the value of training NP students at the school.

Clinical Placement Assistance

Depending on the nurse practitioner degree, graduates may be paired with a clinical preceptor or left to find them independently. It can be challenging to find a provider willing to accommodate students. If you enroll in a nurse practitioner institution that pairs students with preceptors, you can be sure you’ll have a location to complete the necessary clinical hours.

Licensure and Certification: AGNP Scope of Practice

Certification

The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANP) offers the AGNP certification to eligible candidates. For non-members, initial certification costs $315 and $240 for eligible AANP members. For paper exams, applicants must pay an additional $50.

The AGNP certification requirements and eligibility include the following:

• Completion of an accredited Ph.D., graduate, or post-doctoral program with a concentration in adult-gerontological population;
• Possess at least 500 hours of supervised or guided clinical practice and completion of core courses in health assessment, pharmacology, and advanced pathophysiology;
• Possess valid licensure as an APRN or RN.

Licensure

To become a nurse practitioner, candidates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This exam will test your understanding of patient care procedures, medical administration, nursing ethics, and other critical nursing-specific skills on this exam.

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner: Career Information

As an adult gerontological nurse practitioner, you will work with or treat patients aged 13 and older for the rest of their lives. With this specialist degree, you can “carry out” diagnosis, treatment, and assessment of diseases seen in community-based settings. These abilities include primary healthcare and other disciplines like orthopedics, dermatology, oncology, cardiology, etc. Graduates or practitioners in this field will be able to work with elderly and adult patients by fostering connections with them to gain their trust and provide the best care possible. Also, you might need to keep an eye on their well-being, carry out assessments, carry out yearly checks, and instruct patients on proper food, exercise, and other lifestyle habits.

Employment Opportunities:

Considering the vast range of patients (from 13 years old to the elderly) and the varied responsibilities committed to an AGNP or AGPC NP, you will encounter career prospects in all areas of healthcare. Due to the roles available in most medical fields, an adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner will be able to provide care for patients in the following settings:

• Home care
• Specialty clinics
• Rehabilitation centers
• Prisons and jails
• Private practice offices
• Outpatient care facilities
• Schools or college campuses

AGNP Salary

According to the BLS, the average annual AGNP Salary for nurse practitioners was $120,680 in May 2021. The lowest 10% made less than $79,870, while the top 10% made more than $200,500.

AGNP Career Outlook

Between 2020 and 2030, BLS estimates that nurse practitioners’ employment will increase by 45%, which is significantly higher than average for all careers. Over the next ten years, 29,400 opportunities will be available for nurse practitioners. Many of those positions come from workers who alternate careers or retire.

AGNP Career Advancement

In an era where healthcare practitioners are in high demand, you might be keen on improving your career with an MSN degree. In addition, with an honorary doctorate, you can expand your career options and boost your earning potential. Furthermore, with a DNP, you can take on even more responsibility in your professional life. You can manage bigger nursing departments, instruct other nurses, and build and maintain healthcare information systems.

Professional Organizations, Societies, and Agencies

As graduates advance their professional careers, they can join some of these nursing organizations devoted to this rewarding and in-demand expertise:

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
• American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA)
• Association of Public Health Nurses (APHN)
• American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN)
• American Society of Registered Nurses (ASRN)

Frequently Asked Questions: How To Become an AGNP

What is the meaning of AGNP?

Adult Gerontological Nurse Practitioners (AGNPs) are specialists with a focus on caring for patients who are adolescents, middle-aged adults, and the elderly.

Which is better, FNP or AGNP?

Both have similar licensure criteria and are capable of serving as primary caregivers. A family nurse practitioner (FNP) treats patients of different ages, including children. In contrast, an AGNP only treats patients from adolescence to adulthood. Therefore, comparing “AGNP vs. FNP” shouldn’t be your primary focus. As a professional, opt for a role that satisfies your career goals.

What can an AGNP do?

As a qualified AGNP, you will carry out diagnosis and treatment, preventative care, health counseling, and health risk assessments. AGNP responsibilities also include treating chronic illnesses.

What is an FNP vs ANP?

The FNP primarily prepares you to offer primary healthcare services to populations of all ages. The ANP provides greater exposure to specializations, but you can’t work with children younger than thirteen.

What does a gerontological nurse practitioner do?

They work in long-term care and private clinics. Also, they are found working in ambulatory care, acute care, and private residences to examine patients, make diagnoses, write prescriptions, and develop treatment strategies.

What is gerontological nursing?

Gerontological nursing is an area of nursing that focuses on caring for older people.

What is AGNP?

AGNP stands for adult gerontology nurse practitioner.

What is the current gerontological nurse practitioner salary?

According to PayScale.com, a gerontological nurse practitioner’s salary is $101,133 for specialists with over three years of experience.

What can I do with an AGNP degree?

With an AGNP degree, you can work in a healthcare department to deliver complete care alongside nurses, doctors, and medical assistants. In addition, you can inform patients about existing or possible problems to manage or prevent symptoms.

What is AANP?

AANP stands for American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Is a gerontological nurse practitioner degree worth it?

Yes, it’s worth it.

Are AGNP specialists paid more than FNP professionals?

Although they work in similar organizations and sectors, when it comes to compensation, it varies. Due to the multi-role capabilities of FNP, they tend to earn more by vying for additional positions.

What is the AGNP age range?

AGNPs concentrate on complete healthcare for adults; throughout the lifespan of humans. The AGNP age range is from youth (13 years old) to old age.

What is an accelerated nurse practitioner program online?

The accelerated nurse practitioner programs online allow graduates to complete their master’s or bachelor’s degrees much faster.

Final Thoughts!

Becoming an AGNP is a fulfilling educational path with promising employment options. The field is expanding rapidly and shows no signs of stopping. With a lucrative salary and a meaningful occupation, anyone concerned about healthcare and older patients should consider this career. At GetEducated.com, we urge you to explore our educational resources to dig deeper into other related academic degrees with greater career prospects.