Adult-gerontology nursing is a growing specialty because the aging population is a growing segment of American society. By 2034, those over age 65 will outnumber those under 18 by 77 million to 76.5 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Additionally, those 55 and over are responsible for more than half of total health spending, according to Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker.
Andrea Hughes, faculty member in the Purdue Global School of Nursing, talks about adult-gerontology nursing, the differences between an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGAC-NP) and an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPC-NP, or more commonly, AGNP), and what you need to know to enter either specialty.
Why Consider Adult-Gerontology Nursing?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the future for nurse practitioners is bright. The BLS projects that nurse practitioner jobs will grow 46% through 2031.
“Adult-gerontology nurses focus more on the care and treatment of adults rather than children,” she says. “We care for all adults, even the geriatric population, which is growing. That's where we're seeing a big push to specialize in adult-gerontology, knowing that there are ample job opportunities now and in the future.”
What Are the Differences Between an AGNP vs. an AGAC-NP?
Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners, whether they specialize in primary care or acute care, meet with patients independently and assess and diagnose illnesses and other conditions, according to Nurse Journal. Both AGNPs and AGAC-NPs serve the adult patient from adulthood to end of life. Their differences are in duties and work setting.
“Primary care nurse practitioners focus more on chronic disease management and identification of acute conditions for which further care may be needed,” Hughes says. “Acute care nurse practitioners provide care more focused on acute complications, such as trauma treatment or surgery recovery.”
Overall, an AGNP is more of a generalist, and an AGAC-NP is more of a specialist in terms of acute and inpatient care, Hughes says.
Facts About AGNPs
According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP):
- On average, AGNPs have 6.3 years of experience.
- Top clinical focuses for AGNPs are geriatrics, hematology, oncology, and primary care.
- Top diagnoses AGNPs treat are abdominal pain, anxiety, and hypertension.
What Does an AGNP Do?
According to Nurse Journal, AGNPs assist in managing long-term health issues, focus on primary care, and promote health education. They largely work in community clinics, long-term care facilities, home health care, hospital inpatient units, hospital outpatient units, and private practice.
AGNPs see adult patients (which, in medicine, includes adolescents), Nurse Journal reports, and their duties are wide and varied. They may:
- Examine and diagnose patients
- Order medical tests
- Prescribe treatments/medications
- Educate patients and family members
- Update medical records
Both the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offer the relevant certifications.
Facts About AGAC-NPs
According to the AANP:
- On average, AGAC-NPs have 6.3 years of experience, same as AGNPs.
- Top clinical focuses of AGAC-NPs are cardiovascular, critical care, and hospitalist.
- Top diagnoses treated by AGAC-NPs are diabetes, heart failure, and hypertension.
What Does an AGAC-NP Do?
AGAC-NPs diagnose and develop treatment plans for patients, focus on treating existing illnesses, and prescribe medicine, according to Nurse Journal. They work in hospital inpatient units and hospital outpatient clinics.
An AGAC-NP has wide and varied duties, Nurse Journal reports. They may:
- Examine and diagnose acutely ill patients
- Prescribe treatments/medications
- Coordinate medical care for acutely ill patients and help them move between levels of care and environments
- Advocate for patients and their families
- Conduct research
- Teach and mentor other health care professionals
There are two certification exams and associated credentials available to those interested in becoming an AGAC-NP. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) offers the ACNPC-AG (Adult-Gero) certification exam, and the ANCC offers the AGACNP-BC exam.
How to Choose Between the Two Specialties
Both AGNPs and AGAC-NPs provide vital services to their adult patients, including medical, surgical, and critical care management. They have similar requirements for education and certification, so the decision between being an AGNP and an AGAC-NP depends on individual preference. When deciding, consider:
- Your interest in conducting research
- Your schedule
- Your preference between the types of patient relationship: acute versus preventive/long-term relationships
- Work location
Hughes says a love for the field of adult-gerontology is essential.
“You should have a desire to impact patient care by wanting to expand your nursing practice and your scope of practice, which is what you can do as a nurse practitioner,” she says. “No matter which route you choose, you have to communicate well and work collaboratively with the members of your team to provide the best care.”
Hughes advised that NPs make sure they’re familiar with state requirements—whether choosing primary care or acute care nursing. The AANP maintains a page with requirement information by state.
Pursue Your Future in Adult-Gerontology Nursing at Purdue Global
Purdue Global offers an online master’s in nursing degree that can be your entry into adult-gerontology nursing. Purdue Global also offers an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate and an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate.
Contact us today for more information.
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