The role of the adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner is to provide advanced nursing care to adult, older adult and elderly patients with acute, chronic and critical conditions. The term “acute” differentiates acute care nurse practitioners from primary care practitioners.

The AG-ACNP must work collaboratively with a host of different health care professionals in order to stabilize and improve the health of patients. Oftentimes, the AG-ACNP will need to collect and evaluate information based on patient history, symptoms, physical findings and/or diagnostic information to choose an appropriate course of action. By constantly and efficiently evaluating the patient’s dynamic condition and reactions to treatment, the AG-ACNP continuously adapts the patient-management plan to fit the specific needs of the patient.

Adult-Gerontology Acute care nurse practitioners work in many different clinical settings providing advanced nursing care to patients in critical conditions, with chronic or episodic illnesses and/or with acute medical needs. These settings include but are not limited to clinics, physicians’ offices, hospitals, retirement homes, hospices and private practices.

Along with performing the tasks of an advanced practice nurse, the AG-ACNP is qualified to provide specific health care functions to acutely and chronically ill patients such as writing prescriptions, interpreting ECG monitoring and assessing patient responses to drugs and other ancillary treatment.

Sponsored online nursing programs

Simmons University

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Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care.

• Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
• Complete in as few as 24 months
• Full-time and part-time tracks available

Request more info from Simmons University.

Georgetown University

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Master of Science in Nursing

Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown University’s MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months. 

• Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
• Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
• Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice

Request more info from Georgetown University.

St. John Fisher University

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Master of Science in Nursing

Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. 

• Part-time and accelerated tracks available
• Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP

Request more info from St. John Fisher University.

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There are several steps that must be taken to become an AG-ACNP. Prior education, certification and clinical practice are among the many requirements for being accepted into a nurse practitioner program. Here is a typical you can take to become an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner.

After first completing nursing school and board examinations to become a registered nurse and working at least one to two years, you can apply to a nurse practitioner program in order to advance your career.

Some schools will require you to have worked with patients for a set length of time or have experience in a specific setting — such as critical care — before considering you for acceptance to an ACNP program. ACNP programs can be found across the country in both online and on-campus formats, or a combination of both. However, applicants should understand that several hundred hours of clinical time will be required for the completion of the program, and students will need to find a preceptor for that portion of training. Some schools will help students locate a preceptor and others will not.

Curriculum and core classes may vary slightly from program to program, but students should be prepared to complete between 40 and 50 credit hours. Core classes will include advanced physical assessment techniques, pharmacology, theory and research related to the focus area plus practicum placement at the end of the program.

The clinical hours or onsite training with real patients is a key component of adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner programs. After they are connected with a preceptor, students will assess and treat real patients under the preceptor’s guidance. Required practicum hours can range from 500 to 600 hours or more depending on the program, and some may predetermine how many hours each week students must spend in a clinical setting — ranging from 15 to 24 hours per week or more.

The ANCC has specific coursework requirements for those applying to take the Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Exam. Separate courses in advanced physiology/pathophysiology, advanced health assessment and advanced pharmacology are all required. Content in health promotion or maintenance and differential diagnosis and disease management is also required.

Sponsored online nursing programs

Simmons University

info

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care.

• Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
• Complete in as few as 24 months
• Full-time and part-time tracks available

Request more info from Simmons University.

Georgetown University

info

Master of Science in Nursing

Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown University’s MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months. 

• Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
• Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
• Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice

Request more info from Georgetown University.

St. John Fisher University

info

Master of Science in Nursing

Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelor’s in nursing and RN license-required. 

• Part-time and accelerated tracks available
• Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP

Request more info from St. John Fisher University.

info SPONSORED

For working registered nurses who do not want to put their career on pause or uproot their lives to attend a far away on-campus program, online acute care nurse practitioner programs can be both a flexible and high-quality option. When looking for an online AG-ACNP program, make sure that it is high quality, with interactive features such as live classes and excellent placement services that will help you get the most out of your education.

Some universities offer online programs that are identical to what they offer on campus, allowing students to earn a degree from a university they know and whose reputation they trust, without having to move there. Online programs are growing in popularity and are a great way to become an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner.

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP-BC)

Eligibility Requirements: Active RN license, masters degree or higher in an approved adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program.

Fees:

Renewal: Certifications must be renewed every 5 years. Fees for renewal are:

American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification – Adult Gerontology (ACNPC-AG)

Eligibility Requirements: Active RN license, masters degree or higher in an approved acute care nurse practitioner program.

Fees:

Renewal: Renewal is available by taking the initial certification examination, or by obtaining 150 continuing education points through the AACN CE Point Program. Fees for renewal by practice hours and CE points or CE points and examination are $120 for AACN members or $220 for non-members.

Information on the above certifications for adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners was retrieved as of January 2020. For the most up-to-date information, refer to the certifying body’s websites.