AGPCNP vs. FNP: What’s the Difference?
Being a nurse translates to a lifelong opportunity to help people in need. Despite the medical position you decide to pursue, the healthcare field, in general, provides a high rate of job satisfaction. If you are passionate about assisting people of different ages and with various health issues, then becoming a nurse practitioner is the right choice for you. However, once you decide to become a nurse practitioner, you may have second thoughts as to which certification area to pursue.
Adult-gerontology primary care and family health are two of the most common areas of expertise. Nearly eight out of every ten nurse practitioners are either certified adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners (AGPCNPs) or family nurse practitioners (FNPs).
So if you are interested in pursuing either of these medical positions, but you are not sure which one to choose, keep on reading to find out where they differ and which one fits your interest best!
What Is an AGPCNP?
To start with, we need to go over the AGPCNP meaning. AGPCNP stands for “Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners”. AGPCNPs are advanced nurse practitioners who work with adolescents, adults, and the elderly to provide advanced health care. The AGPCNP's role is to analyze, diagnose, and plan for the health needs of all adult patients, from young adults to the elderly.
Many AGPCNPs practice their job in long-term care facilities, hospital-based clinics, and private practices, where they may be required to collect medical histories, conduct physical examinations, arrange screening tests, analyze diagnostic tests, and manage age-appropriate pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies. AGPCNPs may also oversee care transitions, educate patients and caregivers, and assess caregiver competence. AGPCNPs must take into account patients' environmental, occupational, social, and economic backgrounds when providing care.
What Is an FNP?
A family nurse practitioner, shortly known as an FNP, is an advanced practice registered nurse that focuses on delivering family-centered care to patients throughout their lives, from infants to adults. As primary care providers, family nurse practitioners can offer a wide range of services or they can even specialize in specific areas of care, such as diabetes care, by obtaining additional certifications.
FNPs keep track of patients' medical records, conduct physical exams, order or perform diagnostic tests, write prescriptions, develop treatment plans, and cure acute and chronic conditions, illnesses, and injuries that fall under primary care. FNPs work in a variety of settings, such as healthcare systems, community health centers, private practice, and universities.
AGPCNP vs. FNP: Differences and Similarities
When elaborating on the AGPCNP vs. FNP issue, one can notice that the two slightly vary on the education requirements, skills needed, accreditations, licensing, and career outlook and salary.
Education
The education requirements are pretty similar for both occupations since to work as an AGPCNP or FNP, you must first be a registered nurse with a bachelor's degree in nursing and you must successfully pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). After that, you should enroll in an accredited post-licensure graduate nursing program in the specialty area of your choice. A Master of Science in Nursing, a Doctor of Nursing Practice, or a Post-Certificate Master's are all acceptable credentials.
The AGPCNP and FNP programs have classwork and practical exposure as part of their curriculum. In such programs, you will learn advanced nursing skills so you can serve a specific patient population. In addition, you must complete a minimum of 500 direct patient care clinical hours as part of your program. Depending on the degree awarded, AGPCNP and FNP programs take two to four years to complete.
Skills
Great communication is one of the most important skills that an AGPCNP and an FNP should possess. A successful AGPCNP or FNP should be able to understand the patient whilst also giving treatment and remaining compassionate to their needs. It's critical to provide ways for patients to get around language barriers and to better understand complicated medical information. As a professional in this field, it is your responsibility to translate complicated medical terminology into simple everyday language.
Another vital skill these types of nurses must have is the ability to lead while still remaining team players. AGPCNPs and FNPs must be confident in their ability to make decisions, particularly in difficult situations. If the need arises, they must be able to take command. These medical professionals must, however, be team players who recognize when it is appropriate to delegate tasks to others. AGPCNPs and FNPs must be professional and act in the best interests of their patients and coworkers.
Patience under pressure is a trait of a successful AGNCPN and FNP. As a provider, you will be expected to respond to a variety of questions, some of which may be difficult to answer. It's critical to stay calm during stressful conditions so you can give clear instructions to benefit patients.
Accreditations
There aren't many differences between these two medical occupations in terms of accreditation. Both AGPCNP and FNP programs must be accredited through one of the following organizations: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The main distinction between the two licensing institutions is that the CCNE only accredits bachelor's and master's degree programs, whereas the ACEN accredits all levels of nursing programs, from practical to doctoral. The ACEN also collaborates closely with government agencies, making it possible for them to offer student assistance programs.
Both roles have a similar accreditation process. You'll start by filling out an application to see if you're eligible. After your application has been approved, you will be required to take an exam. The content of the AGPCNP and FNP exams varies depending on the certification body. It will, in general, put your clinical knowledge of your population area to the test.
The accreditation of a national nurse practitioner is valid for five years. Then you will need to renew it according to the instructions provided by ANCC or AANP.
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Licensing and certifications
Both FPNs and AGPCNPs are required to be licensed by the state in which they work. Every state's licensing procedure is different. In most cases, you'll need to submit an application to the state board of nursing for licensure.
Typically, the application for state licensure must include:
Proof of a current RN license.
Proof of AGPCNP or FNP certification at the national level.
Proof of finalization of a supervised clinical practice hour and an accredited AGPCNP or FNP education program.
You can start looking for work once you have your state license. Licensed AGPCNPs and FNPs should renew their nurse practitioner and RN credentials according to the state board of nursing's timeline and requirements.
Career and salary outlook
For both occupations, the demand and the salary expectation differ based on the setting, location, level of qualification, and more. However, between 2018 and 2028, the career of an adult gerontological primary care nurse practitioner is projected to grow by 12% and produce around 371,500 job opportunities across the U.S.
When it comes to the AGPCNP salary, adult gerontological primary care nurse practitioners in the U.S make a median salary of $82,491 per year or $40 per hour. The highest 10% makes over $123,000 per year, while the lowest 10% makes under $54,000 per year.
On the other hand, the career of a family nurse practitioner is projected to grow by 26% and produce roughly 62,000 job opportunities across the U.S between 2018 and 2028.
In addition, family nurse practitioners in the U.S make an average salary of $104,903 per year or $50 per hour. The highest 10% makes over $143,000 per year, meanwhile, the lowest 10% makes under $76,000 per year.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the healthcare industry is a wide field to which every medical professional gives their valuable contribution. If you are interested in entering this field, it is up to your interests which position fits you best.
Whether you decide to become an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner or a family nurse practitioner, you will receive a lot of job satisfaction since you have to work with a great variety of populations. The explanations above about these two positions will give you a better idea of what each requires and what they can offer, enabling you to make an informed decision based on your needs and interests.