Nursing

Adult-Gero Primary Care Nurse Practitioner FAQ

Adult-Gero Primary Care Nurse Practitioners treat patients 13 and older.  

Adult-Gero Primary Care Nurse Practitioners work in a variety of community-based settings, including hospital outpatient clinics, community health centers, long-term care facilities and specialty clinics or practices focused on areas such as oncology, dermatology, cardiology, endocrinology, neurology and others.

Adult-Gero Primary Care Nurse Practitioners (AGPCNPs), like other advanced-practice nurses, work with a high level of autonomy and assume more responsibility for patients than registered nurses (RNs). Many AGPCNPs prefer seeing adult patients and enjoy working in community-based settings treating illnesses and injuries, managing chronic conditions and preventing hospitalizations. AGPCNPs also appreciate the opportunity to develop long-term relationships with patients.

Full-time Adult-Gero Primary Care Nurse Practitioners have a total median income of $112,000, according to the 2020 AANP National NP Sample Survey: Practice, published by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Adult-Gero Primary Care Nurse Practitioners (AGPCNPs) must become certified in their specialty to be licensed in the state where they practice. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) awards the AGPCNP-BC credential, and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) awards the A-GNP credential. Graduates of UC's Adult-Gero Primary Care Nurse Practitioner online program are prepared to sit for either certification exam. AGPCNPs who work in specialty clinics sometimes pursue additional certifications in their sub-specialty focus area.

Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) and Adult-Gero Primary Care Nurse Practitioners (AGPCNPs) both provide primary care services to patients; however, AGPCNPs are prepared to care for patients 13 and older, whereas FNPs are prepared to care for patients of any age, including children younger than 13. Students UC's Adult-Gero Primary Care Nurse Practitioner online program complete about half of their required clinical hours in general adult-gero settings and the remainder in specialty clinics that align with students' interests. These could include dermatology, oncolocy, palliative care, women's health or another focus area. In contrast, students in UC's Family Nurse Practitioner online program follow a set sequence of clinical hours with about half in general adult-gero settings and the rest in women's health and pediatric primary care. Despite popular belief, FNPs and AGPCNPs are equally in demand in the health care workforce, so the better option heavily depends on whether you want to care for children, along with adults, and whether you prefer to focus your clinical hours in a sub-specialty to qualify for jobs in particular settings.

To meet UC’s admission requirements for the Adult-Gero Primary Care Nurse Practitioner online program, individuals must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing school with a recommended overall GPA of at least 3.25 and a science GPA of at least 3.0; a statistics course with at least a C grade; a current, active registered nurse (RN) license; and at least one year of independent work experience as an RN. The GRE is not required for admission. For more details, visit the DNP Admissions page.

UC accepts applications for the Adult-Gero Primary Care Nurse Practitioner online program annually from August through March or April with admissions decisions provided to applicants on a rolling basis. Individuals who apply by the priority deadline listed on the DNP Admissions page have the best chance of acceptance.

Applicants to UC's Adult-Gero Primary Care Nurse Practitioner online program must complete an application through NursingCAS (not UC College of Nursing). The application requires a resume; state verification of a current, active, unrestricted RN license; a personal statement; official transcripts; a list of courses taken at all higher education institutions attended; contact information for at least three references; a UC Graduate School application (completed after the NursingCAS application); and an interview. For more details, visit the DNP Admissions page.

UC's Adult-Gero Primary Care Nurse Practitioner online program cohorts begin coursework in the fall semester, which starts in August each year.

Full-time students in the Adult-Gero Primary Care Nurse Practitioner online program can complete the degree in about three years. Part-time options are flexible.