An adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP) is a
nurse practitioner
A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse and a type of mid-level practitioner. NPs are trained to assess patient needs, order and interpret diagnostic and laboratory tests, diagnose disease, formulate and prescribe ...
that specializes in continuing and comprehensive healthcare for adults across the lifespan from
adolescence to old age.
Education and board certification
Following educational preparation at the
master's
A master's degree (from Latin ) is an academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice. or
doctoral level, AGNPs must become board certified by an approved certification body. Board certification must be maintained by obtaining nursing continuing education credits. To align with the
Consensus Model for APRN Regulation developed by the
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is a US not-for-profit organization whose membership comprises the boards of nursing in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four US territories — American Samoa, Guam, Northern M ...
, certification exams and credentials are in transition. Prior to the consensus statement, adult health
nurse practitioners
A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse and a type of mid-level practitioner. NPs are trained to assess patient needs, order and interpret diagnostic and laboratory tests, diagnose disease, formulate and prescribe ...
(NPs) and gerontological NPs were educated and certified separately. The consensus model combined these into a single population focus. The specialty is further divided into
primary care
Primary care is the day-to-day healthcare given by a health care provider. Typically this provider acts as the first contact and principal point of continuing care for patients within a healthcare system, and coordinates other specialist care ...
and
acute care
Acute care is a branch of secondary health care where a patient receives active but short-term treatment for a severe injury or episode of illness, an urgent medical condition, or during recovery from surgery.Alberta Health ServicesAcute care.Acce ...
. In the US, board certification is provided through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (awards the ACNPC-AG credential for acute care), or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (awards the AGACNP-BC credential for acute care and the AGPCNP-BC credential for primary care), through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners certification program (awards the NP-C credential for primary care.
Scope of practice
AGNPs deliver a range of acute, chronic and preventive healthcare services. In addition to diagnosing and treating illness, they also provide preventive care, including routine checkups, health-risk assessments, immunization and screening tests, and personalized counseling on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. AGNPs also manage chronic illness, often coordinating care provided by specialty physicians. AGNPs that work in acute care settings often care for hospitalized patients in collaboration with physicians and other providers. AGNPs can be found practicing in a variety of medical facilities including hospices, long-term care facilities, hospitals, home-based care, correctional institutes and primary practices. The scope of practice varies from state to state because nurse practice laws and regulations are specific to the state the nurse practitioner practices in.
Skills
By 2030, older people are expected to outnumber children aged 10 to 14 (1.35 billion versus 1 billion), eventually surpassing the number of adolescents and young people worldwide.
Nurses need to be prepared to provide safe, effective and quality care to this population, including learning to recognise the unique differences in cultural needs around the world. Older people have three characteristics to look out for: frailty, disability and comorbidities.
Although specific responsibilities may depend on specialty and type of employment, these are the most common responsibilities for AGNP:
* Conducting wellness visits, examinations and treatment monitoring of adult patients
* Examination of patients for signs of injuries, disorders or illnesses
* Diagnostics and analysis of results
* Prescribing medication and monitoring the progress of treatment
* Refer patients to specialists
* Document patients' medical histories
* Inform patients about current or potential conditions to prevent or to treat symptoms
* Encourage lifestyle changes, such as dietary changes or increased physical activity
* Advise on community health policies
* Collaborate with paramedics, nurses and doctors to ensure comprehensive care
See also
*
Advanced practice registered nurse
References
{{Nursing
Advanced practice registered nursing
Primary care
Nursing specialties
Geriatrics