In the nursing field, adult-gerontology nurse practitioners have the option to work in acute care or primary care. To better understand what AGNPs do, it’s important to recognize the similarities and differences between acute care and primary care.

Similarities

Education requirements are one of the similarities between AGACNPs and adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners (AGPCNPs). The path to becoming an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner begins when a nurse earns a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), passes the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and gains experience in the field as a registered nurse (RN). The essential next step is earning an MSN from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE*) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). AGACNPs and AGPCNPs are also required to earn certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) or another organization. While some job locations can differ, both AGACNPs and AGPCNPs work in hospitals and clinics. As advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), they can both prescribe medication for patients. Another similarity between the two specializations is the skill set required. AGNPs working in acute care or primary care need effective communication skills, compassion, resourcefulness, decision-making and problem-solving skills, and leadership competencies.

Differences

A major difference between AGACNPs and AGPCNPs is that they focus on different specialties during their MSN programs as they’re preparing for different career paths. Prospective AGACNPs typically earn an MSN with an acute care concentration while AGPCNPs have a primary care concentration. AGACNPs can also specialize in certain areas, such as:

• Critical care
• Cardiopulmonary
• Emergency/trauma
• Oncology

AGPCNPs can work as autonomous primary care providers for older adults. They typically work in private practices, ambulatory care, rehabilitation centers, clinics or hospitals. They meet regularly with patients to address their healthcare needs, prescribe medications and create treatment plans. AGACNPs work in acute care: They deal with sensitive cases, such as patients who’ve been wounded in car accidents or been diagnosed with cancer. They typically work in emergency or trauma departments, acute care units, specialty clinics, or ICUs. They may not work with the same patients consistently, as they address and respond to emergency cases.

AGNP Certification

An essential step for adult-gerontology nurse practitioners is earning certification. AGACNPs and AGPCNPs should make sure that they earn their MSN degrees from programs that are accredited by the CCNE* or the ACEN to qualify for certification examinations. Different organizations, such as the ANCC and the AANP, offer AGACNP and AGPCNP certifications. The examinations require nurses to have a clinical understanding of young adults, adults, older adults and the elderly. A typical competency-based examination will have 135–150 questions that require nurses to analyze information, make diagnoses for hypothetical patients, create treatment plans and assess outcomes. After passing the AGACNP or AGPCNP examination, nurse practitioners become board certified in their fields. After obtaining their initial certification, AGACNPs and AGPCNPs must take 75 contact hours of courses and renew their credentials every five years.

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Salary

Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners earn a median annual salary of around $98,000, according to January 2021 data from the compensation website PayScale. The salary can vary based on work environment, location and experience. According to May 2019 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), hospitals pay the most, with nurse practitioners earning a median annual salary of $122,420, followed by outpatient care centers, which pay $118,530. Nurse practitioners in the educational services industry earn $108,790. Experienced nurses with additional education also tend to earn a higher median annual salary. According to January 2021 data from PayScale, adult-gerontology nurse practitioners have a starting salary of about $89,000. However, when these professionals have five to nine years of experience, the salary jumps to around $106,000.

Skills of an AGNP

Across all healthcare settings, adult-gerontology nurse practitioners have improved the primary care of older adults, according to a study published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies. Alongside patience and compassion, gerontological nurses require other skills to be effective care providers.

Leadership

With a shortage of primary care providers for older adults, AGNPs need to be strong advocates for their patients. They must be positive role models for providing quality care for aging patients and encourage fellow nurses to expand their knowledge about older adult care.

Analytical Mindset

As patients age, their conditions and illnesses become more complex. AGNPs must have strong analytical skills to fully assess health needs. Gerontological nurses must thoroughly examine the health status, including looking at the medical history and evaluating environmental factors, such as home care and social activities, before creating a care plan. If the patient is unable to share health information, AGNPs may have to work with caregivers or family members to obtain it.

Critical Thinking

As health complexities increase with age, AGNPs must think through their care plans, constantly evaluating health status and recommending solutions to treat and prevent illness. They may also work with other health professionals, such as home care workers or physiotherapists.

Effective Communication