While there are some similarities between the two main types of adult gerontology nurse practitioners, these are the biggest differences between primary care NPs and acute care NPs:

• Their job roles and responsibilities
• Where they work
• Skills and personality traits
• Specialization
• Certification

Here’s a selection of the most common types of nurse practitioners:

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)

Each specialty has its own unique requirements in terms of job experience and certification.

A post master’s certificate (PMC), also referred to as a “post-graduate” certificate, is designed for nurses who hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and seek additional certification in a separate field.

Herzing University offers several post master’s certificates for MSN-prepared nurses looking to transition in or out of clinical-based practice:

• AGACNP - Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (program length: 20 months)
• AGPCNP - Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (program length: 20 months)
• FNP - Family Nurse Practitioner certificate (program length: 16-20 months)
• NE - Nursing Education certificate (program length: 8 months)
• NLA - Nursing Leadership & Administration (program length: 8 months)
• PMHNP: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate (program length: 20 months)

A post master’s certificate from Herzing University provides the education, training, and practical experience you need to take the next big step in your nursing career.

The scope of practice for AGACNPs can vary by state, but there are several core competencies relevant to all employed AGACNPs.

According to the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), key aspects of the acute care NP role include:

• Gathering patient histories
• Performing physical examinations and screenings
• Diagnosing and managing patients with acute, critical or complex illnesses/injuries
• Prescribing medications and advanced therapeutic intervention
• Ordering, performing and interpreting diagnostic studies
• Providing health promotion, education and counseling
• Collaborating with other medical professionals as a team

You can find a full description of the ACNP scope of practice in the “AACN Scope and Standards for Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practice 2017,” available through the AACN website.

Sometimes hospitals form partnerships with schools like ours to provide employees with unique benefits should they choose to pursue an advanced nursing degree.

Employees of Herzing partners can potentially earn college credit for prior work or military experience, transfer existing credit, or earn a scholarship to make going back to school more affordable.

If you are currently an RN considering becoming a nurse practitioner, view our educational partnerships or check with your employer for potential possibilities.

You can prepare to make the transition from FNP to acute care NP by enrolling a post master’s, or postgraduate, certificate program designed for nurses who have already earned a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

Complete the post master’s program, earn certification, and you’ll be ready to apply for your first position as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP).

There are two primary differences between a Family Nurse Practitioner and an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner:

1. Types of patients. FNPs work with patients across the patient lifespan, including children under the age of 13. As adult gerontology NPs, AGACNPs care for only adults ages 13 and above.
2. Types of care. FNPs typically work in clinics, doctor’s offices, and other outpatient settings—and are not formally trained in acute and emergency care. Acute care NPs work in ICUs, hospitals and other inpatient settings to care for patients with trauma and more severe health issues.

If you have more interest in developing long-term relationships with patients, concerned more with preventative health, and love to work with children, FNP may be the best nurse practitioner career path for you.

Acute care and primary care are very different disciplines. As an acute care NP, you’ll be working in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Emergency Room (ER), urgent care or other outpatient environment, which demands a very different set of skills and knowledge than a primary care NP in clinics or other inpatient facilities.

Providing preventive care and taking a long-term approach to patient health is another discipline requiring unique training and certification.

The Herzing Post Master’s Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program is designed for MSN holders, including current AGACNPs, who are interested in pursuing a future job as a primary care AGNP.

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners provide care to adults and older adults with complex conditions in acute care and hospital settings. AGACNPs work with patients who are acutely ill, exhibit chronic medical conditions, or highly vulnerable to complications.

Job responsibilities include providing complex monitoring, stabilizing patients, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, and developing complex treatment plans.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners earn an average salary of $128,490 per year ($61.78 per hour). Pay depends on many factors, including your location, what healthcare institution you work for and your level of experience.*

Discover the average nurse practitioner salary by state and find out what nurse practitioners make on average near you.