An adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, also known as an adult-gerontology nursing practitioner, is an advanced practice nurse whose clinical practice focuses on the treatment of people from adolescence to advanced age. This involves the creation and implementation of treatment plans intended for acute, sometimes complicated health conditions.

Aspiring AGACNPs should complete an undergraduate degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). After completing the necessary requirements and passing the NCLEX examination, you can then become licensed as a registered nurse (RN).

Two advanced degrees can qualify you to become certified as an AGACNP. These are the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

Many online options are available for completing an advanced degree program that offer flexibility for those with careers or other commitments. Programs may require in-person practicums or clinical work.

Online AGACNP programs have many benefits. These include:

●  Highly regarded programs without location limits. Online learning has opened the doors for people to get an advanced education from a prestigious university regardless of where they live. There’s no need to commute to classes, move out of state, or visit campus before beginning your next educational journey.
●  Make your own schedule. Online programs allow students to create the schedules that work best for them. Whether you have family responsibilities, a day job, or another type of commitment, you can complete your degree in a way that meets your needs.
●  Refine your skills with subspecialties. You can narrow your focus through in-depth studies in areas such as palliative care, health policy, HIV/AIDS, or diabetes, increasing your value in your chosen subspecialty area.
●  Find the confidence to undertake certification exams. A strong online nursing program can provide all of the academic qualifications you need to feel confident taking the necessary certification exams and finding career opportunities in nursing.
●  Earn your degree quickly and effectively. You may be able to complete your master’s degree program in as little as 28 months and begin searching for advanced nursing career opportunities that offer you increased independence and agency in your work.

Several types of degree program paths are available to aspiring adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners, depending on their starting education level. Before choosing your preferred program, you will need to consider your professional goals and expected time commitments.

Master of Science in Nursing, RN to MSN

The RN to MSN program path is designed for registered nurses who have an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). This path creates an opportunity to earn both their BSN and MSN in a single accelerated track that covers curricula for both degrees.

Master of Science in Nursing, BSN to MSN

Aspiring AGACNPs who hold BSN degrees can choose an MSN program with an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner concentration. This degree program prepares nurse practitioners to tackle a variety of wellness and illness challenges and to be leaders in their field.

Doctor of Nursing Practice, BSN to DNP

A BSN to DNP program skips over the MSN and integrates the essential parts of that degree into a doctoral program. A DNP is a terminal nursing degree, providing a more advanced education than an MSN. DNP graduates should be confident evaluating, diagnosing, and managing a variety of illnesses and conditions found across patients.

Doctor of Nursing Practice, MSN to DNP

An MSN to DNP is for students who want to further their skills and knowledge to the doctorate level. This may be a good choice for someone who previously earned their MSN, worked for a time to build their clinical experience, and is now interested in furthering their education.

Though the individual curricula vary depending on the program, all adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner programs share certain core areas of study. For example, many MSN programs will include courses in gerontology, pharmacology, and advanced nursing practices. Alternatively, DNP programs focus on the development of leadership skills and often include courses such as management of adults, common adolescent health problems, and diagnostic health assessment. Specific courses you may find in an AGACNP program include:

●  Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Diagnosis and Management
●  Advanced Pathophysiology
●  Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
●  Advanced Clinical Pharmacology

An online advanced nursing degree program can instill in you the knowledge, skills, and confidence you need to be an impactful health care professional, but that’s not all. Your degree will prepare you to become certified as an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner. Students seeking certification can find it through the various official licensing boards.

Boards that offer AGACNP certification are the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The costs and eligibility requirements for certification can vary. Typically, the requirements to sit for the certification exam include:

●  Having an active registered nurse (RN) or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) license
●  Having either an MSN or a DNP from an accredited AGACNP program
●  Completing a minimum of 500 hours of supervised clinical practice in AGACNP care
●  Completing graduate-level courses in advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology (all of which will be included in your nurse practitioner degree program)

Completing your online nursing degree can arm you with what you need to become certified.

The time it takes to become an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner can vary based on how long it takes to complete your education. Earning a BSN usually takes around four years, and earning an MSN can take between 18 months and three years. A BSN to DNP program can take around four years to complete, while an MSN to DNP program normally takes around three years to complete.

A number of essential skills and duties are common in every successful AGACNP’s career.

AGACNP skills

Some general skills are:

●  Empathy. AGACNPs must be compassionate when interacting with their patients and willing to listen to them as they describe their pain or frustration, so they can create the most accurate care plan for each individual.
●  Patience. AGACNPs need patience to deal with distressed patients, difficult diagnoses, or stressful situations.
●  Communication. AGACNPs must be able to communicate effectively with patients and their families, as well as with coworkers, supervisors, and physicians.
●  Attention to detail. AGACNPs should implement and follow detailed care plans without making medical errors.
●  Analysis. If a treatment plan is not working, AGACNPs should evaluate the situation and amend the plan accordingly for better outcomes.
●  Critical thinking. AGACNPs should be able to make quick and effective decisions about complex, acute health conditions.
While these general skills are necessary for all nurse practitioners, they have unique relevance to AGACNPs in some cases. For example, AGACNPs may need to spend extra time communicating clearly with elderly patients who have hearing loss or reduced cognitive function.

AGACNP duties

AGACNPs may perform a variety of tasks, such as:

●  Assessing and diagnosing patients
●  Creating and administering treatment plans for acute conditions
●  Performing physical examinations and ordering screening tests
●  Providing care to young adults, older adults, and frail elderly adults
●  Analyzing treatment plans and preventing future complications with their diagnoses
 

According to PayScale, adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners have a median annual salary of around $93,200 as of 2021. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) includes AGACNPs in its general nurse practitioner survey information. They report that the NP field will experience 52% job growth between 2020 and 2030. This job growth is the result of a variety of factors, such as the aging population and ongoing nursing shortage.

AGACNPs’ work settings include hospitals; state, local, and private educational services; physician offices; and outpatient health care services. Wages are generally highest in hospitals.