Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Programs

You’re fascinated with the health of adults, committed to your aging patients, and known for your expert advice. You’re ready to become an adult gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP). If you’ve already decided on the DNP, feel free to skip ahead to our program listings. But if you’d like some background on certification requirements, a summary of the DNP curriculum, examples of DNP capstone projects, and real-life advice from a qualified AGNP, read on!

Becoming an Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

The Modern Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

Adult gerontology nurse practitioners, known in nursing circles as AGNPs, are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who take special care of adults. In this case, “adult” can mean any patient – including young adults – confronted with the challenges of aging. You may sometimes see AGNPs referred to as GNPs, or geriatric nurse practitioners. Nurses holding the title of GNP tend to deal directly with the elderly.

Working under the supervision of a physician, AGNPs are responsible for diagnosing illnesses, conducting exams and screenings, ordering lab tests, prescribing medications and physical therapy, managing a patient’s pain, and educating families on preventative care. Since aging also includes dying, modern AGNPs are renowned for being compassionate caregivers and counselors.

AGNPs work in two major arenas: acute care and primary care. Acute care AGNPs specialize in the care of acutely ill adults and can be found in hospitals (e.g. ICUs, ERs, surgical units, etc.) and outpatient specialty clinics. Primary care AGNPs tend to work in places such as hospices, home healthcare, and nursing homes. Some AGNPs even choose to run their own private practices. Regardless of their specialty, AGNPs must be able to collaborate with families, social workers, nursing staff, therapist, pharmacists, and physicians in order to provide adult patients with the very best advice.

AGNP Certification Requirements

Most employers and states require you to complete a master’s degree or DNP in nursing with a gerontological nurse practitioner focus and become nationally certified before you can practice as an AGNP. Adult gerontology certifications are offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). The ANCC and AANP are retiring their original GNP credentials and replacing them with certifications targeted towards adult gerontology.

If you’re interested in primary care, you could consider the:

• Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (AGPCNP-BC) credential from ANCC
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP) credential from AANP

If you’re interested in acute care, you could consider the:

• Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (AGACNP-BC) from ANCC
• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certified – Adult-Gerontology (ACNPC-AG) from AACN

Talk to your university and check with your State Board of Nursing for advice on which certification to pursue. In the end, you may wish to complete a number of credentials. DNP programs should clearly state that they are accredited and able to prepare you for AGNP board certification exams. If you can’t find the information on the program website, ask the school for its student pass rates on certification exams.

AGNP Primary Care Certifications

AGPCNP-BC Requirements

• Hold a current, active RN license.
• Hold a master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree from an adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
• Complete a minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours during your adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner program.
• Complete graduate-level courses in advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology, as well as coursework in health promotion/maintenance, differential diagnosis, and disease management.
• Pass the national AGPCNP-BC exam administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
• Maintain your certification & licensure through continuing education.

A-GNP Requirements

• Hold a current, active RN license.
• Hold a master’s, post-master’s, or doctoral degree from an adult gerontology primary care practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
• Complete a minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours during your program.
• Complete APRN core courses in advanced physical assessment, advanced pharmacology, and advanced pathophysiology.
• Pass the national A-GNP exam administered by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
• Maintain your certification & licensure through continuing education.

AGNP Acute Care Certifications

AGACNP-BC Requirements

• Hold a current, active RN license.
• Hold a master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree from an adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
• Complete a minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours during your adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program.
• Complete graduate-level courses in advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology, as well as coursework in health promotion/maintenance, differential diagnosis, and disease management.
• Pass the national AGACNP-BC exam administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
• Maintain your certification & licensure through continuing education.

ACNPC-AG Requirements

• Hold a current, active RN or APRN license.
• Hold a graduate degree from an adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
• Complete a minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours focused on the care of acutely ill adult gerontology patients, including young adults, older adults, and frail elderly.
• Complete graduate-level courses in advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment, as well as coursework in the legal, ethical and professional responsibilities of the NP.
• Pass the national ACNPC-AG exam administered by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN).
• Maintain your certification & licensure through continuing education.

Helpful Professional Organizations

• American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
• American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)
• American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
• American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC)
• Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE)
• Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA)
• National Gerontological Nursing Association (NGNA)

The Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner DNP

Typical DNP Curriculum

Many AGNP programs are listed as “graduate tracks” or “concentrations” in DNP degrees. In other words, you start by taking general APRN courses and gradually focus on adult gerontology. Once you have laid the groundwork, you will often have the option to pursue a primary care or acute care sub-specialty in adult gerontology (e.g. cardiology, hospice care, oncology, orthopedics, organ transplant, etc.).

Look for DNPs that focus on advanced clinical knowledge, evidence-based research, and leadership skills. AGNPs deal with adults across the age spectrum, including geriatric patients, so you must be equipped to handle tasks such as case management, patient stabilization, and end-of-life care. That means practicums should expose you to a variety of clinical settings (e.g. long-term care facilities, the patient’s home, hospitals, private practices, etc.) and a range of patient ages. In the case of acute care, you will often conduct your clinical training in ERs and ICUs.

In terms of coursework, you can expect hard-core classes in science and medicine. Programs that wish to meet AGNP certification requirements must cover key APRN courses such as advanced physical assessment, advanced pharmacology, and advanced pathophysiology. As a DNP student, you will also be studying areas such as nursing leadership, healthcare policy, and ethics. All of these classes are intended to prepare you to take a proactive role in your workplace. The grand finale of your work is your DNP capstone project – a final assignment that combines research, theory, and clinical practice into actionable steps.

Experience Requirements

Experience requirements vary from school to school. Some program may demand to see proof of two years of full-time work experience as an RN; others don’t list specifics. Generally speaking, acute care AGNP programs are going to want to see at least 1-2 years of experience in hospitals, ERs, or other acute care situations.

Examples of DNP Capstone Projects

• Improving Care of Assisted Living Residents with Dementia Through a Competency-Based Behavioral Training Curriculum for Assisted Living Caregivers. (University of San Francisco)
• Telehealth Case Management Nursing Process and Technology Enhancements: Reflecting Practice and Outcomes. (St. Catherine University)

DNP Programs with a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner NP Focus