AG-PCNP Career Overview

  • What You Will Do: Evaluate patients, diagnose illnesses, provide education, prescribe medication, perform minor surgical procedures, and more
  • Where Will You Work: Hospitals, occupational health clinics, community health centers, private practices, home care, colleges, prisons
  • Employment Projections: There is a growth of 31 percent anticipated for NP roles between 2016 and 2026.
  • How Much Will I Earn: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners (AG-PCNPs) have a broad salary range that goes from $75,000 to $115,000.
  • Number of Programs: In the U.S. there are 160 AG-PCNP programs.
  • How Long Does It Take to Become an AG-PCNP: Becoming an AG-PCNP will take between 2 and 3 years of schooling.
  • Requirements to Become One: An RN and NP license is required after you get a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in nursing.

Eight Steps to Become AG-PCNP

  1. Earn Your RN – First you must earn your RN or BSN through an ACEN or CCNE accredited university. Our BSN guide can help you navigate the process!
  2. Pass The NCLEX-RN Exam – The NCLEX-RN exam is daunting but with our NCLEX-RN guide and practice exams you can pass it on the first try!
  3. Earn Your MSN – Your classes will include advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, nursing theory courses and more.
  4. Complete Supervised Clinical Hours – Finishing 500 supervised clinical hours as a part of your AG-PCNP program is required.
  5. Become Board Certified – To become a certified AG-PCNP you have to pass the AG-PCNP exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
  6. Obtain Licensure – You must get licensed through your state as an NP.
  7. Obtain a DEA Number – You will need DEA registration in order to prescribe medication.
  8. Maintain Active Certification and Licensure – ANCC requires 100 continuing education (CE) hours and 1,000 hours of clinical practice for you to stay certified. Your BLS, DEA, and RN licenses must also stay active.

Campus and Online Adult Gerontology Primary Care NP Programs

University Offered asCity/State
University of Alabama at Birmingham Campus, Hybrid, OnlineBirmingham, AL
University of South Alabama Campus, OnlineMobile, AL
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences-Little Rock Campus, HybridLittle Rock, AR
Azusa Pacific University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineAzusa, CA
Walden University Campus, OnlineMinneapolis, MN
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs – Traditional Campus, OnlineColorado Springs, CO
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Campus, OnlineTallahassee, FL
Florida National University-Miami Campus, Hybrid, OnlineMiami, FL
University of Central Arkansas – Conway Campus, OnlineConway, AR
California State University-Long Beach CampusLong Beach, CA
South University-Savannah Campus, OnlineSavannah, GA
Georgia State University Campus, HybridAtlanta, GA
DePaul University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineChicago, IL
University of Illinois at Chicago Campus, Hybrid, OnlineChicago, IL
Lewis University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineRomeoville, IL
North Park University CampusChicago, IL
Northern Illinois University Campus, HybridDekalb, IL
California State University-Los Angeles CampusLos Angeles, CA
Loma Linda University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineLoma Linda, CA
University of Connecticut-Storrs Campus Campus, HybridStorrs, CT
Oak Point University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineOak Brook, IL
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis Campus, Hybrid, OnlineIndianapolis, IN
University of Indianapolis Campus, Hybrid, OnlineIndianapolis, IN
Quinnipiac University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineHamden, CT
Western Connecticut State University Campus, HybridDanbury, CT
University of Delaware Campus, Hybrid, OnlineNewark, DE
Briar Cliff University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineSioux City, IA
Morningside College Campus, Hybrid, OnlineSioux City, IA
University of Kansas Medical Center Campus, Hybrid, OnlineLawrence, KS
Washburn University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineTopeka, KS
University of Southern Maine Campus, HybridPortland, ME
Johns Hopkins University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineBaltimore, MD
University of Massachusetts-Lowell Campus, Hybrid, OnlineLowell, MA
University of Massachusetts-Amherst Campus, OnlineAmherst, MA
The Catholic University of America Campus, HybridWashington, DC
George Washington University Campus, OnlineWashington, DC
University of Central Florida Campus, Hybrid, OnlineOrlando, FL
University of Massachusetts-Boston Campus, Hybrid, OnlineBoston, MA
Northeastern University – Accelerated Campus, Hybrid, OnlineBoston, MA
Salem State University Campus, HybridSalem, MA
Eastern Michigan University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineYpsilanti, MI
Grand Valley State University Campus, HybridAllendale, MI
Florida Atlantic University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineBoca Raton, FL
Florida Southern College CampusLakeland, FL
University of Miami Campus, HybridCoral Gables, FL
Madonna University Campus, HybridLivonia, MI
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Campus, HybridAnn Arbor, MI
Michigan State University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineEast Lansing, MI
University of Florida – Gainesville Campus, Hybrid, OnlineGainesville, FL
University of South Florida College of Nursing Campus, HybridTampa, FL
University of Michigan-Flint Campus, Hybrid, OnlineFlint, MI
Oakland University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineRochester Hills, MI
Wayne State University Campus, HybridDetroit, MI
The College of Saint Scholastica Campus, Hybrid, OnlineDuluth, MN
St Catherine University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineSaint Paul, MN
Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing Campus, Hybrid, OnlineSaint Louis, MO
Monmouth University School of Nursing and Health Studies Campus, HybridWest Long Branch, NJ
The University of Tampa CampusTampa, FL
Emory University Campus, HybridAtlanta, GA
Stockton University Campus, HybridGalloway, NJ
New Mexico State University-Las Cruces Campus, Hybrid, OnlineLas Cruces, NM
Valdosta State University Campus, HybridValdosta, GA
Boise State University Campus, OnlineBoise, ID
Columbia University in the City of New York Campus, HybridNew York, NY
Daemen College Campus, HybridAmherst, NY
Keuka College Campus, HybridKeuka Park, NY
Upstate Medical University Campus, HybridSyracuse, NY
University of North Dakota Campus, Hybrid, OnlineGrand Forks, ND
Loyola University – Chicago Campus, Hybrid, OnlineChicago, IL
Saint Anthony College of Nursing Campus, HybridRockford, IL
Ball State University Campus, OnlineMuncie, IN
University of Akron Main Campus Campus, Hybrid, OnlineAkron, OH
Case Western Reserve University Campus, HybridCleveland, OH
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Campus, HybridCincinnati, OH
Kent State University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineKent, OH
The Ohio State University-Main Campus (Columbus) Campus, Hybrid, OnlineColumbus, OH
East Tennessee State University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineJohnson City, TN
Purdue University-Fort Wayne Campus, OnlineFort Wayne, IN
University of Southern Indiana Campus, Hybrid, OnlineEvansville, IN
The University of Texas at Arlington Campus, Hybrid, OnlineArlington, TX
Texas Woman’s University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineDenton, TX
Seattle Pacific University CampusSeattle, WA
Seattle University Campus, HybridSeattle, WA
Concordia University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineMequon, WI
Marian University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineFond Du Lac, WI
Marquette University Campus, HybridMilwaukee, WI
Saint Mary’s College Campus, OnlineNotre Dame, IN
Allen College Campus, Hybrid, OnlineWaterloo, IA
Viterbo College Campus, Hybrid, OnlineLa Crosse, WI
University of Wisconsin-Madison Campus, Hybrid, OnlineMadison, WI
Brandman University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineIrvine, CA
University of Maryland-Baltimore Campus, Hybrid, OnlineBaltimore, MD
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Campus, Hybrid, OnlineNorth Dartmouth, MA
Spring Arbor University Campus, HybridSpring Arbor, MI
College of Staten Island CUNY Campus, Hybrid, NY
University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center Campus, Hybrid, OnlineOklahoma City, OK
Gwynedd Mercy College Campus, Hybrid, Online, PA
Moravian College Campus, HybridBethlehem, PA
Arizona State University-Downtown Phoenix Campus, HybridPhoenix, AZ
University of Louisville-Louisville Campus, Hybrid, OnlineLouisville, KY
Northern Kentucky University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineHighland Heights, KY
Northwestern State University of Louisiana Campus, Hybrid, OnlineNatchitoches, LA
University of Mississippi Medical Center Campus, Hybrid, OnlineJackson, MS
University of Southern Mississippi Campus, Hybrid, OnlineHattiesburg, MS
Boston College CampusChestnut Hill, MA
Maryville University of Saint Louis Campus, Hybrid, OnlineSaint Louis, MO
University of Minnesota Campus, HybridMinneapolis, MN
University of Missouri-Kansas City Campus, Hybrid, OnlineKansas City, MO
University of Missouri-St Louis Campus, Hybrid, OnlineSaint Louis, MO
Winona State University Campus, HybridWinona, MN
Research 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
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus Campus, HybridTeaneck, NJ
St Peter’s University (St Peter’s College) Campus, Hybrid, OnlineJersey City, NJ
The College of New Jersey Campus, HybridEwing, NJ
Seton Hall University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineSouth Orange, NJ
CUNY Hunter College Campus, HybridNew York, NY
William Paterson University of New Jersey Campus, HybridWayne, NJ
NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing Campus, HybridNew York, NY
Molloy College CampusRockville Centre, NY
University of Rochester School of Nursing Campus, HybridRochester, NY
Russell Sage College Campus, HybridTroy, NY
University at Buffalo Campus, Hybrid, OnlineBuffalo, NY
Binghamton University Campus, OnlineVestal, NY
Stony Brook University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineStony Brook, NY
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Campus, Hybrid, OnlineChapel Hill, NC
Ursuline College Campus, Hybrid, OnlinePepper Pike, OH
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Campus, HybridBloomsburg, PA
University of North Carolina at Greensboro Campus, HybridGreensboro, NC
University of Pittsburgh Campus, OnlinePittsburgh, PA
DeSales University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineCenter Valley, PA
Temple University Campus, HybridPhiladelphia, PA
Drexel University Campus, Hybrid, OnlinePhiladelphia, PA
Villanova University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineVillanova, PA
Duquesne University Campus, OnlinePittsburgh, PA
Wilkes University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineWilkes-Barre, PA
La Salle University Campus, Hybrid, OnlinePhiladelphia, PA
Clemson University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineClemson, SC
Pennsylvania State University Campus, HybridUniversity Park, PA
The University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing Campus, OnlineGalveston, TX
Robert Morris University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineMoon Township, PA
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Campus, Hybrid, OnlineHouston, TX
University of Utah College of Nursing Campus, Hybrid, OnlineSalt Lake City, UT
York College Pennsylvania CampusYork, PA
University of Vermont Campus, HybridBurlington, VT
Union University Campus, HybridJackson, TN
George Mason University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineFairfax, VA
James Madison University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineHarrisonburg, VA
Virginia Commonwealth University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineRichmond, VA
Gonzaga University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineSpokane, WA
University of Washington CampusSeattle, WA
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Campus, Hybrid, OnlineEau Claire, WI
Purdue University Campus, HybridWest Lafayette, IN
South University-Montgomery CampusMontgomery, AL
University of California-Los Angeles CampusLos Angeles, CA
Saint Louis University Campus, Hybrid, Online, MO
Rutgers University-Camden Campus, Hybrid, OnlineCamden, NJ
Rutgers University SON Newark Campus, HybridNewark, NJ
Duke University Campus, HybridDurham, NC
East Carolina University Campus, Hybrid, OnlineGreenville, NC

What is an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP?

An AG-PCNP is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who provides preventative and chronic care for adult patients. As an AG-PCNP you will collect patient histories, perform clinical exams, prescribe medication, refer patients and more. As a primary care provider you will have the opportunity to continue to see your patients throughout their lifespan and form lasting bonds. Find our guide to the related Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – AG-ACNP career. See Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant guide.

How Do I Become an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP?

Becoming an AG-PCNP requires obtaining first a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s in nursing. There are also other options for you to become an AG-PCNP if you are not an RN and/or do not have a BSN.

  • BSN to MSN: With a BSN degree you will spend 2 years earning a master’s in nursing.
  • Bachelors to MSN: Direct Entry Master’s in Nursing programs enable non-nurses who have bachelor’s degrees to become NPs. There are pre-requisite courses that you will need to complete for entry into a Direct Entry program. These courses will likely include chemistry, anatomy and physiology, developmental psychology, and more. Depending on the program you will spend 2 to 3 years earning your master’s.
  • BSN to DNP: You will earn both an MSN and doctorate in nursing practice (DNP) when you complete a DNP degree. These programs take about 4 years. DNP programs prepare APRNs to use research in their clinical practice.
  • MSN to DNP: If you have an MSN you will spend about 2 to 3 years completing a DNP program.

Certification and Licensure: Obtaining certification through the ANCC confirms that you meet the qualifications to provide care for the adult gerontology population. The ANCC requires that all NPs renew certification every 5 years. To do this you will need to meet the 1,000 clinical hours and 100 CE hours requirements. After you are certified you can apply for licensure through your state board of nursing (BON). Then you will be legally able to practice in your state. Submitting transcripts, proof of RN licensure and national certification as well as a fee is required for licensure.

Where Do AG-PCNPs Typically Work?

AG-PCNPs have a broad practice setting. You can work in private practices, occupational health clinics, community health clinics, colleges, assisted living facilities, shelters, and home care. This means that you will have a lot of variety and flexibility to change your work environment if you choose to.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics NPs in any population foci make an median of $104,610  per year. The overall salary range for AG-PCNPs can vary from $75,000 to $115,000 annually depending on what city, state, and setting you practice in. If you work in medically underserved areas you may get paid less than what you would make in a private practice, however, there are other financial benefits that should not be discounted. You can get loan forgiveness through certain programs if you work in medically underserved areas. These include the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. If you have a Perkins Loan you may be eligible to get that forgiven as well.

Online AG-PCNP Programs

The internet has made education much more accessible for the busy adult. Online AG-PCNP programs allow you to pursue a career path as an NP while still keeping up with your other life commitments. Online programs allow you to complete your coursework from the comfort of your home and do your clinical hours in a convenient location. Most programs only require that you be on campus a couple times a year at most. There are 13 fully online AG-PCNP programs in the U.S. and a number of hybrid courses that offer a mix of online and in classroom courses.

What is a Typical AG-PCNP Curriculum?

Curriculums vary by university. Vanderbilt University has a good example of a typical AG-PCNP curriculum:

  • Advanced Health Assessment
  • Research Methods for Advanced Practice Nursing
  • Advanced Pathophysiology
  • Adult Gerontology Primary Care
  • Advanced Pharmacology
  • Conceptual Basis for Advanced Practice Nursing
  • Ethical Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing

The Role of the AG-PCNP in the Mental Healthcare Provider Shortage

The U.S. currently has a shortage in primary care providers, and with the Affordable Care Act, this gap is growing. Since AG-PCNPs provide primary care to the adult population, they are in a unique position to fill this demand and increase access to care for newly ensured Americans. AG-PCNPs are a cost effective way to increase primary and preventative care in the U.S.

Number of AG-PCNP Programs in the United States

There are 13 fully online AG-PCNP programs in the U.S. These include the following:

  • University of South Alabama
  • University of Central Arkansas
  • University of Colorado Colorado Springs
  • George Washington University
  • Florida A&M University
  • South University
  • Boise State University
  • Ball State University
  • Indiana University-Purdue University (Fort Wayne)
  • Walden University
  • Felician University
  • Thomas Jefferson University
  • University of Texas Medical Branch

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner 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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