DNP Career Opportunities

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Career opportunities for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) are growing and include areas such as the emergency department, intensive care (intensivist), inpatient hospital (hospitalist) and in a variety of other settings that manage acute and chronic illnesses. The acute care population includes those who face acute and critical episodic illness, exacerbation of chronic illness, and terminal illness.

There is a wide skill range possessed by the AGACNP, and is largely influenced by the patient population and specialization. The AGACNP possesses advanced nursing skills to assess, diagnose, effectively treat and manage patients while working collaboratively and inter-professionally with the health care team to assure optimal patient outcomes. Patient stabilization, minimization of complications health promotion, disease prevention, and treatment are key outcome goals. The professional role aspects of the AGACNP involves managing and negotiating healthcare delivery systems as well as monitoring and ensuring the quality of healthcare practice.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

With increasing shortages of physicians in primary care, career opportunities continue to grow for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP). The focus is on primary care services across the wellness-illness continuum, including preventive, chronic and acute care. There is strong emphasis on comprehensive, chronic and continuous care characterized by a long-term relationship between provider and patient. Clinical experiences are diverse to ensure preparation for the entire adult-gerontology age spectrum across the wellness-illness continuum. The scope of practice for the AGPCNP is not setting-specific, but rather is based on patient care need.

Types of practice may include, but are not limited to: primary care practices, ambulatory care centers, community clinic, long-term care facility, specialty clinic, rehabilitation center, home care, College campuses or schools.