Eight Steps to Become an Adult- Gerontology Acute Care NP

  1. Earn Your RN – You have to get an RN or BSN through an ACEN or CCNE accredited university first. Use our BSN guide to help you figure it out!
  2. Pass The NCLEX-RN Exam – Our NCLEX-RN guide and practice exams will prepare you to pass the NCLEX.
  3. Earn Your MSN – During your NP program you will need courses in nursing theory, pharmacology, advanced health assessment, research, and more.
  4. Complete Supervised Clinical Hours – 500 supervised clinical hours through your NP program is required to become an AG-ACNP.
  5. Become Board Certified – You must pass the AG-ACNP exam given by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN).
  6. Obtain Licensure – State licensure through your state’s board of nursing (BON) is required.
  7. Obtain a DEA Number – You must apply for DEA registration in order to prescribe medications.
  8. Maintain Active Certification and Licensure – AG-ACNPs are required to have 100 continuing education (CE) hours and 1,000 hours of clinical practice to stayed certified through the ANCC. There are 3 ways to renew certification through the AACN. Your BLS, DEA, and RN licenses must also stay active.

What is an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner?

An AG-ACNP is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) that helps manage patients who are acutely ill in inpatient hospital environments as well as hospital-clinic environments. As an AG-ACNP you will diagnose and treat acutely ill patients and follow them as they move from inpatient to outpatient environments. You will monitor patient progress, collect medical histories, perform exams, and refer patients. You will work as a part of a larger healthcare team that will include physicians, nurses, laboratory personnel and more. Find our guide to the related Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner career. See Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant guide.

Number of Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP Programs in the United States

In the U.S. there are 84 Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP programs. There are 4 fully online AG-ACNP programs that are offered at the University of South Alabama, Walden University, Thomas Jefferson University, and the University of Texas-El Paso.

List of Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP Programs – Online and Campus

University Offered asCity/State
University of Alabama at Birmingham Campus, Hybrid, OnlineBirmingham, AL
University of Alabama in Huntsville Campus, Hybrid, OnlineHuntsville, AL
University of South Alabama Campus, OnlineMobile, AL
Grand Canyon University Campus, Hybrid, OnlinePhoenix, AZ
Walden University Campus, OnlineMinneapolis, MN
College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Barry University Campus, OnlineMiami, FL
Nova Southeastern University – Ft. Lauderdale Campus, Hybrid, OnlineFort Lauderdale, FL
University of Illinois at Chicago Campus, Hybrid, OnlineChicago, IL
Lewis University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineRomeoville, IL
University of Arizona Campus, OnlineTucson, AZ
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences-Little Rock Campus, HybridLittle Rock, AR
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis Campus, Hybrid, OnlineIndianapolis, IN
Johns Hopkins University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineBaltimore, MD
Northeastern University – Accelerated Campus, Hybrid, OnlineBoston, MA
College of Our Lady of Elms Campus, HybridChicopee, MA
University of Arkansas-Fayetteville Campus, OnlineFayetteville, AR
California State University-Los Angeles CampusLos Angeles, CA
Madonna University Campus, HybridLivonia, MI
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Campus, HybridAnn Arbor, MI
University of Michigan-Flint Campus, Hybrid, OnlineFlint, MI
Wayne State University Campus, HybridDetroit, MI
Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing Campus, Hybrid, OnlineSaint Louis, MO
Rowan University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineGlassboro, NJ
University of Northern Colorado Campus, Hybrid, OnlineGreeley, CO
University of Connecticut-Storrs Campus Campus, HybridStorrs, CT
Georgetown University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineWashington, DC
Columbia University in the City of New York Campus, HybridNew York, NY
Case Western Reserve University Campus, HybridCleveland, OH
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Campus, HybridCincinnati, OH
Kent State University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineKent, OH
Mount Carmel College of Nursing Campus, Hybrid, OnlineColumbus, OH
The Ohio State University-Main Campus (Columbus) Campus, Hybrid, OnlineColumbus, OH
University of Central Florida Campus, Hybrid, OnlineOrlando, FL
University of Miami Campus, HybridCoral Gables, FL
University of South Florida College of Nursing Campus, HybridTampa, FL
The University of Texas at Arlington Campus, Hybrid, OnlineArlington, TX
University of Florida – Gainesville Campus, Hybrid, OnlineGainesville, FL
Hawaii Pacific University CampusHonolulu, HI
The University of Texas at El Paso Campus, OnlineEl Paso, TX
Texas Woman’s University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineDenton, TX
Marquette University Campus, HybridMilwaukee, WI
University of Wisconsin-Madison Campus, Hybrid, OnlineMadison, WI
Brandman University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineIrvine, CA
Wichita State University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineWichita, KS
Moravian College Campus, HybridBethlehem, PA
Emory University Campus, HybridAtlanta, GA
Loyola University – Chicago Campus, Hybrid, OnlineChicago, IL
University of Southern Indiana Campus, Hybrid, OnlineEvansville, IN
Saint Mary’s College Campus, OnlineNotre Dame, IN
Allen College Campus, Hybrid, OnlineWaterloo, IA
Northern Kentucky University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineHighland Heights, KY
University of Louisville-Louisville Campus, Hybrid, OnlineLouisville, KY
Northwestern State University of Louisiana Campus, Hybrid, OnlineNatchitoches, LA
Regis College Campus, Hybrid, OnlineWeston, MA
University of Mississippi Medical Center Campus, Hybrid, OnlineJackson, MS
Winona State University Campus, HybridWinona, MN
Maryville University of Saint Louis Campus, Hybrid, OnlineSaint Louis, MO
St Luke’s College of Nursing Campus, Hybrid, OnlineKansas City, MO
Creighton University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineOmaha, NE
University of Nebraska Medical Center Campus, Hybrid, OnlineOmaha, NE
University of Nevada-Reno Campus, HybridReno, NV
University of New Mexico College of Nursing Campus, Hybrid, OnlineAlbuquerque, NM
Seton Hall University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineSouth Orange, NJ
NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing Campus, HybridNew York, NY
University of Rochester School of Nursing Campus, HybridRochester, NY
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Campus, Hybrid, OnlineCharlotte, NC
Wright State University-Main Campus Campus, Hybrid, OnlineDayton, OH
Oregon Health and Science University – Accelerated Portland Campus, Hybrid, OnlinePortland, OR
University of Pittsburgh Campus, OnlinePittsburgh, PA
DeSales University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineCenter Valley, PA
Drexel University Campus, Hybrid, OnlinePhiladelphia, PA
Rhode Island College Campus, HybridProvidence, RI
Duquesne University Campus, OnlinePittsburgh, PA
University of South Carolina-Columbia Campus, Hybrid, OnlineColumbia, SC
Pennsylvania State University Campus, HybridUniversity Park, PA
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Campus, HybridSan Antonio, TX
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Campus, Hybrid, OnlineHouston, TX
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Campus, Hybrid, OnlineLubbock, TX
University of Utah College of Nursing Campus, Hybrid, OnlineSalt Lake City, UT
Norwich University CampusNorthfield, VT
Virginia Commonwealth University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineRichmond, VA
University of Virginia Campus, Hybrid, OnlineCharlottesville, VA
University of Washington CampusSeattle, WA
West Coast University CampusNorth Hollywood, CA
University of California-Los Angeles CampusLos Angeles, CA
Saint Louis University Campus, Hybrid, Online, MO
Rutgers University SON Newark Campus, HybridNewark, NJ
Duke University Campus, HybridDurham, NC
South University CampusGlen Allen, VA
Augusta University CampusAugusta, GA

How Do I Become an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner?

You will need to earn a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in nursing to become an AG-ACNP. If you are not yet an RN, there are still options for you to become one and then become and AG-ACNP.

  • BSN to MSN: BSN to MSN programs typically take 2 years.
  • Bachelors to MSN: If you are not a nurse a Direct Entry Master’s in Nursing program may be the path for you. These programs prepare non-nurses to become NPs. You will earn your RN in the process. Pre-requisite courses are usually required for entry. Some of these courses will include anatomy and physiology, developmental psychology, microbiology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry. Direct Entry programs take about 2 to 3 years.
  • BSN to DNP: During your doctorate in nursing practice (DNP) education you will also earn your MSN. A DNP program will take about 4 years and will prepare you to integrate research into your practice.
  • MSN to DNP: Getting a DNP will take around 2 to 3 years if you already have your MSN.

Certification and Licensure: Getting certified through the ANCC or AACN proves that you have met the requirements to provide care for acutely ill adult patients. Every 5 years you will have to renew your certification through the ANCC by meeting the 1,000 clinical hour requirement along with the 100 hours of CEs. If certified through the AACN you can renew certification in one of 3 ways:

  • Re-taking the initial exam and earning 150 CE points through their program
  • Meeting the 1,000 clinical hour requirements and 150 CE points requirements
  • Meeting the 1,000 clinical hour requirements, taking the exam, and obtaining 25 CE points in pharmacology.

Once certified, you can submit your transcripts, RN licensure, proof of national certification, and a fee to obtain state licensure through your board of nursing (BON).

Where Do AG-ACNPs Typically Work?

There are a variety of acute care settings in which you can work. You can work in inpatient hospital settings, emergency departments, intensive care units, specialty clinics, and more.

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners Salary

The median salary for all NPs is $104,610 according to Bureau of Labor Statistics. AG-ACNPs have a competitive salary range and can make anywhere from $82,000 to $120,000 per year. The amount you will make will depend on the setting, city, and state you work in as well as how much experience you have. NPs who work in private clinics are more likely to have a higher salary than NPs who work in medically underserved areas, however there are added financial benefits to working with the medically underserved population. There are a few loan forgiveness programs for people working in these areas that can help you pay off your debt from nursing school. The  Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program are two examples. If you took out a Perkins Loan, you may also be eligible for Perkins Loan forgiveness as well. Check out our state by state guides to see what benefits your state may offer you.

Online AG-ACNP Programs

Many people do not think that they have the time or flexibility to get an advanced degree. Luckily with nursing, this is not the case. With online nursing programs, aspiring NPs now have the option to pursue their dreams while keeping up with their personal and professional commitments. Online AG-ACNP programs make it possible to do coursework from your computer and complete your clinical hours in a location close to home. You may only have to report to campus a couple times a year if at all. There are 4 fully online AG-ACNP master’s programs, as well as some hybrid programs.

What is a Typical AG-ACNP Curriculum?

Curriculums for AG-ACNP programs can vary, but in general you can expect to be taking courses similar to what is offered at Vanderbilt University:

  • Research Methods for Advanced Practice Nursing
  • Advanced Pharmacology
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practicum
  • Advanced Pathophysiology
  • Pathophysiology and Collaborative Management in Acute Care
  • Advanced Health Assessment

The Role of the AG-ACNP in the Healthcare Provider Shortage

With the shortage of healthcare providers and increase in insured patients due to the Affordable Care Act there is a growing need for midlevel providers. AG-ACNPs provide a cost effective way of increasing the number of high quality acute care providers for patients. AG-ACNPs are able to function independently while also working as a part of larger healthcare team. This can help more patients receive the care that they require for their acute illnesses and ultimately decrease long-term healthcare costs.

AG-ACNP Resources

Denisco, S. M., Barker, A. M., (2016). Advanced practice nursing: Essential knowledge for the profession. Burlington, MA: Jones and Barlett Learning.

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