The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who provides health care through the assessment, diagnosis, and management of common acute and chronic health problems.  Their focus is on providing care for both adolescents and adults (ages 13 and older) and providing patient education and treatment measures that will promote health, prevent disease, and maintain quality of life.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners are well-qualified to meet the growing health care needs of patients’ in a variety of settings. They may work in community health clinics, medical offices, ambulatory care clinics as well as geriatric and long-term care settings. They are often found working in traditional primary care health clinics but may fill unique positions in correctional health, university health or occupational health. The AGPCNP may also focus on providing care in a specialty area such as pain management or dermatology and this is the preferred track for a nurse practitioner working with the elderly or in a geriatric setting.

Graduation from the AGPCNP at MNU qualifies students to apply for state licensure as a nurse practitioner and prepares them to take one of the adult gerontology nurse practitioner certification exams.

Advanced Practice Nurses are educated and licensed to serve different populations. The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who provides health care for both adolescents and adults in the community setting.  Their focus is on serving those ages 13 and older. A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) provides care for the entire lifespan in a community or ambulatory health care setting. Their education track would include a comprehensive pediatric course with a clinical component. A Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) focuses solely on pediatrics. A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) addresses mental health needs to all ages. An Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) provides care for the adult patient but in the acute hospital setting.

Before enrolling in any program, you need to envision what type of population you intend to serve. Contact us at 913-971-3800 or at pgadmissions@mnu.edu if you would like to discuss this further with one of our Nurse Practitioner Faculty.

The job outlook for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner looks strong.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the nurse practitioner workforce will grow by 45% from 2019 to 2029.  Employment growth will vary by specialty track. As baby boomers age it is anticipated that Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners will be in demand to address the health care needs of this population.

Reference
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor (2019). Occupational Outlook Handbook. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the median base salary for a full-time nurse practitioner in 2019 was 111,840. Salary will vary according to certification type, location, and years of experience. The average Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner salary was cited at $95,156 by Salary.com and ranged between 88,297 and $103,371 (as of October 28, 2020).

Reference
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor (2019). Occupational Employment Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291171.htm

Salary.com (2020). Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) Salary in the United States. https://www.salary.com/research/salary/posting/adult-gerontology-nurse-practitioner-agnp-salary