How To Become An Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

If you enjoy helping older people or have a knack for senior care, you may have your sights set on a career in gerontology nursing.

If you still want to care for younger adults, you can focus instead on becoming an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP). As an AGNP, you'll work with patients from adolescence through to their senior years. You can perform an array of duties and work in a variety of healthcare settings.

What is An Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner?

Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners (AGNPs) treat adults of all ages, from young adults right on through to those of advanced age.

The field of gerontology refers specifically to older adults and their care. AGNPs are often mistakenly believed to be nurses that work exclusively with people of this age group. But that's simply not the case and that's where the "adult" aspect comes in.

Where Does "Gerontology" Come From?

In Greek, the word "γέρος" or "geros" means "old man" while "ology" translates to something like "study of".

Interestingly, the "logist" refers to an expert, so a gerontologist would essentially be "an expert in old men".

What Does An Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Do?

AGNPs perform a range of duties for adult patients of all ages. These include:

• Conduct patient exams
• Develop treatment plans
• Arrange diagnostic tests
• Prescribe medications
• Educate patients and caregivers with regard to self-management
• Diagnose and treat illnesses
• Determine the effectiveness of current treatment plans

What is the Difference Between FNP and ANGP?

An FNP is a family nurse practitioner while an AGNP is an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner. They both perform a range of duties for patients of varying ages, but there is one key difference between the two.

FNPs are advanced practice registered nurses who work with children, as well as adults. As with AGNP, they care for young adults and older adults, but they also deal with children and infants.

An adult-gerontology nurse, on the other hand, usually starts working with patients from their teenage years and beyond.

As far as education and qualifications are concerned, these two fields are very similar. Both specialties also earn very respectable salaries, as do all nurse practitioners.

How Do You Become an AGNP?

To become an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, you must follow these steps:

Step One: Apply for a Nursing Degree

The first step is to acquire an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree from an accredited nursing program. If you opt for the former, you'll need to switch to a BSN degree or go through an RN to MSN program.

You'll learn about all the essentials of nursing practice and will acquire the skills you'll use throughout your nursing career.

Step Two: Become a Registered Nurse

Complete the NCLEX-RN to get your registered nurse license. From here, you can take your career in many different directions.

Step Three: Get Experience

Once you have your RN license, it's time to get some nursing experience. Most nurse practitioners have at least 2 years of experience, during which time you can still choose a different specialty if you decide that becoming an adult-gerontology nurse is not right for you.

Step Four: Graduate with a Nursing Degree

Advance onto an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner program.

Step Five: Become a Certified Nurse Practitioner

Finally, it's time to get certified! There are a few different certifications available:

A-GNP Certification

A-GNP stands for "Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner" and is offered by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. You can qualify if you are a licensed nurse and will receive a nationally-recognized certification in adult-gerontology nursing.

AGPCNP-BC Certification

The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP-BC) certification is offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

To apply, you'll need a nursing license and must have completed an accredited graduate program.

AGACNP-BC Certification

Also offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP-BC) certification is similar and has the same requirements. The difference is that it focuses on acute care as opposed to primary care.

Where Do AGNPs Work?

Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners work in a variety of settings across the healthcare industry. Primarily, however, they work in long-care facilities, certified nursing facilities, and primary care facilities. They can also work in correctional institutes.

It has been estimated that just 6% of nurse practitioners enter this field and as the US senior population increases, so will the demand for nurse practitioners skilled in caring for older adults.

To give you an idea of where skilled gerontological nurse practitioners may be needed, check out the table below, including a list of the states with the most certified nursing facilities and residents.

State	Certified Nursing Facilities	Residents
Alabama	228	22,684
Alaska	17	499
Arizona	139	10,325
Arkansas	227	17,285
California	1,187	99,956
Colorado	223	16,004
Connecticut	204	19,624
Delaware	45	3,937
District of Columbia	14	1,256
Florida	688	71,162
Georgia	280	22,894
Hawaii	44	3,444
Idaho	72	3,286
Illinois	722	65,607
Indiana	531	37,564
Iowa	432	22,349
Kansas	330	16,812
Kentucky	273	21,482
Louisiana	277	25,863
Maine	93	5,846
Maryland	202	14,464
Massachusetts	356	34,363
Michigan	442	37,547
Minnesota	363	23,444
Mississippi	203	15,923
Missouri	520	23,277
Montana	69	3,776
Nebraska	197	10,584
Nevada	66	5,626
New Hampshire	74	6,397
New Jersey	361	42,413
New Mexico	71	5,510
New York	570	89,775
North Carolina	424	36,148
North Dakota	80	5,321
Ohio	952	71,852
Oklahoma	290	17,213
Oregon	116	4,672
Pennsylvania	684	72,519
Rhode Island	80	7,558
South Carolina	184	15,563
South Dakota	104	5,585
Tennessee	316	26,647
Texas	1,214	90,708
Utah	99	5,574
Vermont	35	2,359
Virginia	245	19,550
Washington	205	15,094
West Virginia	123	9,278
Wisconsin	353	21,236
Wyoming	37	2,224

*Information taken from Statista. (1) (2)

How Much Do AGNPs Earn?

As nurse practitioners, AGNPs can earn a mean average salary of $114,510, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the amount you earn as a gerontology nurse will depend on your location, with states like California and New Jersey paying some of the highest NP salaries.

Summary: Becoming an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

The field of adult-gerontology is very challenging and rewarding. You will be working with a range of individuals across a wide range of age groups (from teenage to geriatric patients) and with a variety of acute and chronic illnesses.

It's also a very financially rewarding career, one that returns an average salary in excess of $100,000 and offers lots of opportunities for personal and professional growth.

What's more, adult gerontological nurses also receive the following benefits:

• Maternity Leave
• Life Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Continuing Education Reimbursement
• Dependent Health Insurance Coverage

If you have a caring nature, a good bedside manner, strong leadership skills, and excellent critical thinking skills, you could be perfect for adult gerontological nursing.