Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Career Overview

AGNPs hold responsibilities in between registered nurses (RNs) and physicians. They meet with patients independently and assess and diagnose illnesses and other conditions. AGNPs can either specialize in acute care or primary care. Acute care NPs attend to patients with chronic or critical conditions, while primary care NPs offer general healthcare services.

According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) 2019 Compensation Report, the most common workplace settings for AGNPs included outpatient hospitals (14.4%), inpatient hospitals (13.3%), and private group practice (11.6%). In addition to home healthcare and Medicare home health programs, AGNPs also work in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, community health centers, and correctional facilities, among other locations.

Making a major career decision can seem difficult, which is why it can be helpful to weigh the pros and cons. The lists below show some advantages and disadvantages of becoming an AGNP.

AGNPs can specialize in primary or acute care. Duties and work settings differ between the two specializations.

BLS data shows that NPs earned a median salary of $109,820, regardless of specialization. For adult-gerontology NPs in particular, the AANP’s 2019 compensation overview shows that:

Additionally, BLS data shows the number of NPs could increase by 52% from 2019 to 2029, making it one of the fastest growing professions in the country. According to federal data from Projections Central, the highest projected job growth for NPs from 2018 to 2028 are from the following states:

The answer to this question depends on the pathway. A bachelor’s degree traditionally lasts four years, while an MSN typically takes two years to complete. On that path, aspiring AGNPs can earn licensure in six years. Students who enroll part-time can take even longer to graduate.

However, many nursing professionals decide to gain a few years of experience as an RN in between the two degrees. Others earn an associate degree, work as an RN, and then enroll in an RN-to-MSN bridge program, which can also affect the timeline. Some AGNP programs require RN experience prior to admission. Depending on the program, it can be 1-2 years of required experience.

Yes. In some states, adult-gerontology NPs can prescribe medicine independently. In other states, they need to enter a supervisory or collaborative agreement with a physician to prescribe medication.

Adult-gerontology primary care NPs make a median base salary of $107,000, and adult-gerontology acute care NPs earn a median base salary of $112,000, according to a 2019 AANP survey. That said, salaries vary significantly based on experience, employer, and location. Education level matters, too. NPs with a doctoral degree are likely to earn more than those with a master’s degree.

AGNPs can work in many settings: hospitals and hospices, long-term care facilities and nursing homes, urgent care clinics, primary care practices and clinics, and correctional facilities.