Adult Gerontology NP Online Programs: Explore Top Schools
The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:
Healthcare Education Nursing Advanced Nursing Healthcare Education Online LearningWith the flexibility and affordability of online programs, becoming an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner may be more attainable than you think. This EduMed guide explains how earning your AGNP degree or certificate online can save time and money while covering curriculum details, certification, accreditation, and financial aid.
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Where to Find Help in Paying for Your Online AGNP Program
College is expensive, and paying for any degree or certificate program can be difficult even under the best of circumstances. That’s why it’s important to understand all of your funding options and have your financial resources lined up before starting your AGNP program.
Fortunately, there are a number of real, manageable financial aid sources available. Below are links to three source examples.
And be sure to check out our Online College Students’ Guide to Financial Aid for more information and advice on paying for your AGNP program.
- Nurse Corps Scholarship Program
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing – Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program (NEALP)
Understanding Accreditation for Online Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Programs
Accreditation is an essential consideration for any degree or certificate program choice you make. Proper accreditation is how you are assured that the education you receive meets certain minimum standards of quality.
There are two basic types of accreditation: institutional and programmatic.
Institutional accreditation addresses the college or university itself. It is administered in the United States by a number of Department of Education-approved independent regional and national agencies.
Programmatic accreditation focuses on the specific degree or certificate program. Programmatic accreditation of MSN, DNP, and postgraduate nursing certificate programs in the U.S. is administered by:
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
The AGNP program you choose should be accredited by at least one of these two organizations.
Current accreditation information can almost always be found on the individual program’s website and/or institution’s accreditation webpage.
You can also search for accreditation status by visiting the CCNE and ACEN websites, as well as this DOE database.
Getting Your Professional License and Certification After Your Online AGNP Program
All AGNPs in the United States must be licensed as RNs in the state or states in which they practice. Additionally, some states require nurse practitioners to hold a specific NP license to practice within that state.
To learn more about a particular state’s licensure requirements, contact the state’s regulatory agency directly. You can find contact information using this NCSBN interactive map. You can also find licensure information for each state by visiting the American Association of Nurse Practitioners website.
Additionally, following completion of an AGNP degree or certificate program, prospective AGNPs should obtain national board certification, which is required by most states as part of their licensure process. Professional certification in the U.S. is available through:
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB).
To find out more about the specific certifications offered, visit the following sites:
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGPCNP-BC)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP-BC)
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB)
Career and Salary Outlook for Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioners
Key Information About Online Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Programs
As you begin researching online AGNP programs, you’re bound to have lots of questions. Below are the answers to five of the most common questions asked by prospective students about adult gerontology nursing practice.
What is adult gerontology nursing?
Gerontology is defined as the study of old age and the aging process. So, it’s no surprise that the first thought many people have when they hear “adult gerontology nursing” is the care and treatment of the elderly only.
That’s not exactly the case, however. The key term here is “aging process,” and if you think about it, that begins the moment we are born.
The practice of an AGNP nurse, more precisely, encompasses all aspects of the aging process (including issues of both illness and wellness) from adolescence to adulthood and on through to old age.
That’s where the value of AGNP’s specialized practice lies: in the ability to address the broad range of care and treatment issues related to aging throughout the entire adult life cycle.
What will I learn in an online AGNP program?
The goal of any quality online AGNP program is to ensure that its students graduate with advanced knowledge and skills that can be immediately applied on their first day of advanced nursing practice. This knowledge will come from all elements of the academic program, including didactic coursework, clinicals, internships, capstone projects, etc.
Your exact learning outcomes will depend partially on your specialization (acute care or primary care) as well as the particular school and program you choose. Regardless, all AGNP graduates should expect to attain the following common learning outcomes:
- Manage the healthcare needs related to adult aging of patients based upon physical examinations and assessments, health histories, and behavioral and developmental assessments.
- Provide effective advanced nursing care to patients employing pathophysiological, pharmacotherapeutic, and cultural principles.
- Communicate and collaborate with interprofessional team members to improve the health outcomes of patients and across diverse populations and settings.
- Effectively employ knowledge of systems and organizational leadership theories and practices.
- Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the advancement of AGNP practice and the broader nursing profession.
Can I complete an AGNP program 100% online?
You will not be able to complete your AGNP program entirely online if you take into account the in-person clinical hour requirements that are part of every program. Most programs offer the bulk of their didactic coursework online (all of it, in some cases), but often additionally require some on-campus participation in the form of short two- or three-day “intensives.”
How long does it take to complete an online nurse practitioner gerontology program?
AGNP program completion times vary from program to program depending on a number of factors including degree level, study pace (full-time vs. part-time study), and transfer credits allowed. With that in mind, here’s a baseline estimate of completion times for each type of AGNP program:
- MSN: One-and-a-half to two years full-time. Three years or more part-time.
- BSN to DNP: Three to four years. Programs often allow substantially more time to complete the capstone project.
- MSN to DNP: Two to three years. Programs often allow substantially more time to complete the capstone project.
- Post-Graduate Certificate: One-and-a-half to two years.
How much do online AGNP programs cost?
Costs associated with earning an online AGNP degree or certificate vary (sometimes substantially) based on many of the same factors as those that affect program length. Another major factor impacting costs is whether the program you choose is offered by a public or private institution.
Here are the current tuition costs for three online AGNP programs. Remember, however, that your total cost will likely be higher because of additional fees, the cost of books and supplies, etc.
MSN in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Total Credits: 52
$1,169/credit
DNP Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Total Credits: 74
$2,057/credit (Full-time)
Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Total Credits: 60
$420/credit
Helpful Resources for AGNP Students and Professionals
Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA)
GAPNA’s website offers a wealth of information on AGNP practice including student resources such as its career center, online library, and access to GAPNA Foundation scholarships and grants.
About Nursing Licensure (NCSBN)
This page offers a great overall look at nursing licensure and includes links to more detailed information on the nursing licensing process and state boards of licensing in the U.S.
American Nurses Association (ANA)
The preeminent organization of professional nurses in the U.S. This website offers information about the profession generally and its various specializations, certification, and scholarship and grant opportunities.
Excellent webpage that acts as a clearinghouse for literature, graphics, videos, and more on everything you want to know about student financial aid and federal student aid programs.
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
Major organization for both nurses and nursing students with chapters on over 700 college and university campuses worldwide. Both undergraduate and graduate student memberships are available.
