Pursuing a nursing specialization is a logical step for nurses looking to pursue leadership roles, earn additional job autonomy or take their career to the next level. Choosing a specialty, however, may not always be perfectly clear. Depending on their desired concentration, nurses may find themselves pursuing job opportunities that look very different from each other. Following are five common reasons to become an AGACNP.

1. Professional Development Opportunities

Becoming an AGACNP opens a multitude of doors for nursing graduates. Nurses can choose to pursue the clinical side of nursing or focus on advancing nursing research, policy or administrative roles. To compete for senior-level roles, earning an advanced degree is crucial, allowing nurses to make a difference in shaping standards of care, improving patients’ lives and meeting their professional goals. Additionally, what acute care nurses are able to deliver in terms of developing care plans, prescribing medication, diagnosing patients or conducting tests is contingent on their earning full practice authority. Full practice authority requires an advanced degree and certification to meet national and state-specific standards.

2. Increased Salary Potential

While job location can play a role in their salary, specialization is a key aspect of advancement for nurses. With additional experience, higher education and specialized skills, AGACNPs can compete for coveted roles, often earning a higher salary and additional benefits. AGACNPs earned a median annual income of $113,000 in 2020, inclusive of their base salary, productivity bonuses and incentive payments, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

3. Job Outlook

Across the United States, the healthcare system is struggling with a shortage of qualified nurses. With the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) reporting a possible shortfall of over 510,000 nurses by 2030, nurses are in high demand. This represents a bright opportunity for advanced care nurse practitioners to seek employment in the locations, fields, and facilities that are right for them. Additionally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a massive 46% increase in overall employment for nurse practitioners between 2021 and 2031. This means nurses can be assured of graduating into a growing industry. With the added advantage of pursuing additional certifications or specializations, skilled nurse practitioners are better able to leverage their experience toward coveted roles, job locations, and achieving their personal and professional goals.

4. Opportunity for Collaboration

The acute care nursing field is complex, with many illnesses or diseases requiring the collaboration and cooperation of not only multiple healthcare professionals and sub-specialties, but also an integration of medications, treatment plans and patient support systems. What an acute care nurse is able to contribute to a patient’s case relies heavily on their medical foundation and skillset. With an advanced education, nurses can better influence care strategies and work toward innovation.

5. Strong Personal Satisfaction

Healthcare careers can be challenging, but they can also be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling for these professionals who dedicate their lives to helping others. The patients treated by AGACNPs are often suffering from acute, complex or emergent illnesses. It is the job of acute care nurses to assist their patients through difficult diagnoses, unfamiliar treatment plans and sometimes harsh new realities. AGACNPs can find great satisfaction in the healthcare and emotional support they deliver. From disease prevention and acute care management, to helping patients regain function and mobility, AGACNPs are able to work with their patients to achieve a healthier, wellness-focused lifestyle, providing them with the skills to take their future into their own hands and improve the quality of life.