Thinking About the Next Step in Your Career?
The nursing profession is a robust field, with certifications spanning clinical, managerial, and educational specialties. But which is the best choice for you? Here, we’ll take a deep dive into what it means to be an AG-ACNP (Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner).
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: What Does It Mean?
Commonly known as AG-ACNP, the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner has earned at least a graduate degree and provides advanced nursing care to independently meet the needs of adult and geriatric patients—including older teens, adults, older adults, and frail elders.
What sets an AG-ACNP apart from an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP is the focus on caring for patients who are acutely or critically ill, psychologically unstable, technologically dependent, highly vulnerable to complications, and/or living with chronic or terminal illnesses. Increasingly, hospitals require nurse practitioners with other certifications to also become certified as an AG-ACNP.
What Does an AG-ACNP Do?
An AG-ACNP’s scope of practice is based on acuity and patient needs, rather than location of care. This means AG-ACNPs can work in hospitals, urgent care clinics, or private practices.
They are qualified to provide advanced nursing care, which may include:
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Performing history and physical examinations
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Interpreting diagnostic testing, including laboratory results, radiology, and ECGs
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Making diagnoses
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Prescribing therapeutic interventions, including medications
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Collaborating with other healthcare professionals to create holistic care plans
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Assessing and monitoring patient responses to treatments
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Facilitating transitions of care within and outside the hospital
What Type of Person Is an AG-ACNP?
As with all advanced practice roles, success as an AG-ACNP requires compassion, attention to detail, and strong communication skills. Critical thinking and decisive action are essential, as are resilience, organization, and the ability to multitask.
AG-ACNPs must also embrace lifelong learning and collaboration, working alongside physicians, specialists, and other healthcare providers while adapting to an ever-evolving evidence base.
How Do I Become Certified as an AG-ACNP?
To become certified as an AG-ACNP, you must:
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Hold a current, valid U.S.-based RN or APRN license
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Complete an accredited graduate-level AG-ACNP program
Certification is earned by passing an exam offered by either the:
Once you’ve passed the exam, you can officially market yourself as a certified Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
Are You Preparing for the Exam?
For more study support, explore our AG-ACNP Q&A Review book featuring over 630 practice questions designed to help you ace the exam.
Resources
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AACN Certification Corporation. (n.d.). ACNPC-AG® Exam Handbook. Retrieved from: https://www.aacn.org/~/media/aacn-website/certification/get-certified/handbooks/acnpcagexamhandbook.pdf
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American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. (2017). AACN Scope and Standards for Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practice. Retrieved from: https://www.aacn.org/nursing-excellence/standards/aacn-scope-and-standards-for-acute-care-nurse-practitioner-practice
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American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. (n.d.). ACNPC-AG® (Adult-Gero). Retrieved from: https://www.aacn.org/certification/get-certified/acnpc-ag
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American Nurses Credentialing Center. (n.d.). Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP-BC). Retrieved from: https://www.nursingworld.org/our-certifications/adult-gerontology-acute-care-nurse-practitioner/
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Carpenter, D. (2018). Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Q&A Review (1st ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing.
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Nurse Practitioner Schools. (n.d.). Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP vs Primary Care NP. Retrieved from: https://www.nursepractitionerschools.com/faq/ag-acnp-vs-ag-pcnp/
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Nursing License Map. (n.d.). Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP). Retrieved from: https://nursinglicensemap.com/advanced-practice-nursing/nurse-practitioner/acute-care-nurse-practitioner-acnp/
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Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. (n.d.). Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: Scope of Practice. Retrieved from: https://nursing.vanderbilt.edu/msn/agacnp/agacnp_scope.php
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