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
- 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!
- 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!
- Earn Your MSN – Your classes will include advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, nursing theory courses and more.
- Complete Supervised Clinical Hours – Finishing 500 supervised clinical hours as a part of your AG-PCNP program is required.
- Become Board Certified – To become a certified AG-PCNP you have to pass the AG-PCNP exam through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
- Obtain Licensure – You must get licensed through your state as an NP.
- Obtain a DEA Number – You will need DEA registration in order to prescribe medication.
- 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 as | City/State |
---|---|---|
University of Central Arkansas – Conway | Campus, Online | Conway, AR |
Florida National University-Miami | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Miami, FL |
Northern Illinois University | Campus, Hybrid | Dekalb, IL |
Northwestern State University of Louisiana | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Natchitoches, LA |
Wayne State University | Campus, Hybrid | Detroit, MI |
Monmouth University School of Nursing and Health Studies | Campus, Hybrid | West Long Branch, NJ |
University at Buffalo | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Buffalo, NY |
La Salle University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Philadelphia, PA |
University of Vermont | Campus, Hybrid | Burlington, VT |
South University-Montgomery | Campus | Montgomery, AL |
Azusa Pacific University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Azusa, CA |
Florida Southern College | Campus | Lakeland, FL |
Saint Anthony College of Nursing | Campus, Hybrid | Rockford, IL |
University of Southern Maine | Campus, Hybrid | Portland, ME |
University of Minnesota | Campus, Hybrid | Minneapolis, MN |
St Peter’s University (St Peter’s College) | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Jersey City, NJ |
Stony Brook University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Stony Brook, NY |
Pennsylvania State University | Campus, Hybrid | University Park, PA |
George Mason University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Fairfax, VA |
University of California-Los Angeles | Campus | Los Angeles, CA |
California State University-Long Beach | Campus | Long Beach, CA |
University of Florida – Gainesville | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Gainesville, FL |
Oak Point University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Oak Brook, IL |
Johns Hopkins University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Baltimore, MD |
The College of Saint Scholastica | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Duluth, MN |
Seton Hall University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | South Orange, NJ |
Upstate Medical University | Campus, Hybrid | Syracuse, NY |
University of Pittsburgh | Campus, Online | Pittsburgh, PA |
James Madison University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Harrisonburg, VA |
University of Maryland-Baltimore | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Baltimore, MD |
California State University-Los Angeles | Campus | Los Angeles, CA |
University of Miami | Campus, Hybrid | Coral Gables, FL |
Ball State University | Campus, Online | Muncie, IN |
Boston College | Campus | Chestnut Hill, MA |
St Catherine University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Saint Paul, MN |
Stockton University | Campus, Hybrid | Galloway, NJ |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Chapel Hill, NC |
Robert Morris University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Moon Township, PA |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Richmond, VA |
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | Campus, Hybrid, Online | North Dartmouth, MA |
Loma Linda University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Loma Linda, CA |
University of South Florida College of Nursing | Campus, Hybrid | Tampa, FL |
Purdue University-Fort Wayne | Campus, Online | Fort Wayne, IN |
University of Massachusetts-Lowell | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Lowell, MA |
Winona State University | Campus, Hybrid | Winona, MN |
The College of New Jersey | Campus, Hybrid | Ewing, NJ |
University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Campus, Hybrid | Greensboro, NC |
Temple University | Campus, Hybrid | Philadelphia, PA |
Gonzaga University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Spokane, WA |
Spring Arbor University | Campus, Hybrid | Spring Arbor, MI |
Walden University | Campus, Online | Minneapolis, MN |
The University of Tampa | Campus | Tampa, FL |
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Indianapolis, IN |
University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Campus, Online | Amherst, MA |
University of Mississippi Medical Center | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Jackson, MS |
William Paterson University of New Jersey | Campus, Hybrid | Wayne, NJ |
University of North Dakota | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Grand Forks, ND |
Villanova University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Villanova, PA |
Seattle Pacific University | Campus | Seattle, WA |
Saint Louis University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | , MO |
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs – Traditional | Campus, Online | Colorado Springs, CO |
South University-Savannah | Campus, Online | Savannah, GA |
University of Indianapolis | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Indianapolis, IN |
University of Massachusetts-Boston | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Boston, MA |
University of Southern Mississippi | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Hattiesburg, MS |
New Mexico State University-Las Cruces | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Las Cruces, NM |
University of Akron Main Campus | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Akron, OH |
Wilkes University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Wilkes-Barre, PA |
Seattle University | Campus, Hybrid | Seattle, WA |
Rutgers University-Camden | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Camden, NJ |
University of Connecticut-Storrs Campus | Campus, Hybrid | Storrs, CT |
Emory University | Campus, Hybrid | Atlanta, GA |
University of Southern Indiana | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Evansville, IN |
Northeastern University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Boston, MA |
Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Saint Louis, MO |
Columbia University in the City of New York | Campus, Hybrid | New York, NY |
Case Western Reserve University | Campus, Hybrid | Cleveland, OH |
York College Pennsylvania | Campus | York, PA |
University of Washington | Campus | Seattle, WA |
Rutgers University SON Newark | Campus, Hybrid | Newark, NJ |
Quinnipiac University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Hamden, CT |
Georgia State University | Campus, Hybrid | Atlanta, GA |
Saint Mary’s College | Campus, Online | Notre Dame, IN |
Salem State University | Campus, Hybrid | Salem, MA |
Maryville University of Saint Louis | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Saint Louis, MO |
CUNY Hunter College | Campus, Hybrid | New York, NY |
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Campus, Hybrid | Cincinnati, OH |
Clemson University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Clemson, SC |
Concordia University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Mequon, WI |
College of Staten Island CUNY | Campus, Hybrid | , NY |
Western Connecticut State University | Campus, Hybrid | Danbury, CT |
Valdosta State University | Campus, Hybrid | Valdosta, GA |
Allen College | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Waterloo, IA |
Eastern Michigan University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Ypsilanti, MI |
University of Missouri-Kansas City | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Kansas City, MO |
Daemen College | Campus, Hybrid | Amherst, NY |
Kent State University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Kent, OH |
East Tennessee State University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Johnson City, TN |
Marian University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Fond Du Lac, WI |
Duke University | Campus, Hybrid | Durham, NC |
University of Delaware | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Newark, DE |
Boise State University | Campus, Online | Boise, ID |
Briar Cliff University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Sioux City, IA |
Grand Valley State University | Campus, Hybrid | Allendale, MI |
University of Missouri-St Louis | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Saint Louis, MO |
Keuka College | Campus, Hybrid | Keuka Park, NY |
The Ohio State University-Main Campus (Columbus) | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Columbus, OH |
Union University | Campus, Hybrid | Jackson, TN |
Marquette University | Campus, Hybrid | Milwaukee, WI |
East Carolina University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Greenville, NC |
The Catholic University of America | Campus, Hybrid | Washington, DC |
DePaul University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Chicago, IL |
Morningside University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Sioux City, IA |
Madonna University | Campus, Hybrid | Livonia, MI |
Research College of Nursing | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Kansas City, MO |
Molloy College | Campus | Rockville Centre, NY |
Ursuline College | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Pepper Pike, OH |
The University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing | Campus, Online | Galveston, TX |
Viterbo College | Campus, Hybrid, Online | La Crosse, WI |
University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Oklahoma City, OK |
George Washington University | Campus, Online | Washington, DC |
University of Illinois at Chicago | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Chicago, IL |
University of Kansas Medical Center | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Lawrence, KS |
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Campus, Hybrid | Ann Arbor, MI |
Creighton University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Omaha, NE |
NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing | Campus, Hybrid | New York, NY |
DeSales University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Center Valley, PA |
The University of Texas at Arlington | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Arlington, TX |
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Eau Claire, WI |
Gwynedd Mercy College | Campus, Hybrid, Online | , PA |
University of Alabama at Birmingham | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Birmingham, AL |
University of Central Florida | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Orlando, FL |
Lewis University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Romeoville, IL |
Washburn University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Topeka, KS |
Michigan State University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | East Lansing, MI |
University of Nebraska Medical Center | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Omaha, NE |
University of Rochester School of Nursing | Campus, Hybrid | Rochester, NY |
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania | Campus, Hybrid | Bloomsburg, PA |
Texas Woman’s University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Denton, TX |
University of Wisconsin-Madison | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Madison, WI |
Moravian College | Campus, Hybrid | Bethlehem, PA |
University of South Alabama | Campus, Online | Mobile, AL |
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | Campus, Online | Tallahassee, FL |
Loyola University – Chicago | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Chicago, IL |
University of Louisville-Louisville | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Louisville, KY |
University of Michigan-Flint | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Flint, MI |
University of Nevada-Reno | Campus, Hybrid | Reno, NV |
Russell Sage College | Campus, Hybrid | Troy, NY |
Drexel University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Philadelphia, PA |
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Houston, TX |
Purdue University | Campus, Hybrid | West Lafayette, IN |
Arizona State University-Downtown Phoenix | Campus, Hybrid | Phoenix, AZ |
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences-Little Rock | Campus, Hybrid | Little Rock, AR |
Florida Atlantic University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Boca Raton, FL |
North Park University | Campus | Chicago, IL |
Northern Kentucky University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Highland Heights, KY |
Oakland University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Rochester Hills, MI |
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus | Campus, Hybrid | Teaneck, NJ |
Binghamton University | Campus, Online | Vestal, NY |
Duquesne University | Campus, Online | Pittsburgh, PA |
University of Utah College of Nursing | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Salt Lake City, UT |
Brandman University | Campus, Hybrid, Online | Irvine, CA |
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
- American Nurses Credentialing Center
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
Denisco, S. M., Barker, A. M., (2016). Advanced practice nursing: Essential knowledge for the profession. Burlington, MA: Jones and Barlett Learning.
- About the Author
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Lauren is a Registered Nurse and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner who works in an OB/GYN clinic in the Boston area. She completed a Direct Entry MSN program at Boston College in May 2017 after obtaining a BS in Forensic Science and a BS in Biology from the University of New Haven, so she has special awareness of how confusing the many paths to nursing can be! She is passionate about enhancing and clarifying the nursing role globally as well as combatting human trafficking from a public health standpoint. In her free time Lauren enjoys writing and traveling.