The role of a nurse practitioner is the most popular job in healthcare within the states, and for a good reason, too. Nurse practitioners are advanced-level nurses, which means they have a broader scope of practice than entry-level nursing professionals, such as registered nurses. In addition to more responsibility, nurse practitioners benefit from a higher wage and a positive employment outlook. They can also choose from a long list of specializations, such as adult-gerontology acute care. With the number of older people in the US on the rise every day, specializing in this area is a smart move for nursing professionals. Here is a comprehensive guide to the general role of a nurse practitioner and the role of an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, and what you can expect from these nursing professions.
What Is A Nurse Practitioner?
A nurse practitioner (NP) is a higher-level nursing role. NPs are registered nurses (RNs) who have obtained an advanced-level degree and received in-depth training that allows them to offer comprehensive care to patients. Like RNs, the role of an NP revolves around patient care, and they can provide both primary and preventative care to their patients. Responsibilities can include examining and assessing patients’ health, ordering diagnostic tests, treating patients, and prescribing medication, if necessary.
Depending on where they practice, nurse practitioners can provide primary and preventative care autonomously or alongside healthcare professionals. In many instances, they share similar responsibilities to doctors. The responsibilities of a nurse practitioner depend on the specialty they pick at the advanced degree level:
Nurse Practitioners Can Practice Independently
One major advantage of being a nurse practitioner is the fact that they can provide primary and preventative care to patients independently, without the supervision of a physician. Although this depends on the state in which a nurse practitioner practices, NPs who can practice independently can do so in nurse-led clinics. Career freedom is a huge benefit for many people interested in furthering their careers in nursing. Nurse practitioners with this amount of job autonomy have more flexibility regarding the types of shifts they work and their working hours. This is a huge draw when compared to the unpredictable and long hours many nursing professionals must work in a typical healthcare setting. Not to mention, the fact that nurse practitioners have the authority to practice without physician supervision, and can make vital healthcare decisions for patients, means that healthcare is much more accessible to the public.
Best Places For Nurse Practitioners To Practice
As mentioned before, there are many full practice states in the US that allow nurse practitioners to provide care independently. In addition to this, statistics reveal specific states that are better suited for nurse practitioners. The top states for NPs are California, New York, and New Jersey. In the Golden State, there are around 1,200 openings for nurse practitioners every year, and the average annual salary is $145,970. In the Big Apple, the number of openings is even more impressive, and at 1,640 per year, they boast the highest growth rate. New Jersey is also a lucrative place to practice, as nurse practitioners can expect an average annual income of $130,890.
Increasing Demand For Nurse Practitioners
One important reason why nurse practitioners are the most popular nursing profession is that there is a huge demand for them. This is down to the increasing shortage of doctors. By 2034, the projected deficit is estimated to be between 37,800 and 124,000. Luckily, nurse practitioners can help alleviate the problem as they have undergone advanced training and possess the proper knowledge to offer a large range of healthcare services to patients. Furthermore, nurses are one of the most trusted groups of professionals, which naturally makes them the healthcare provider of choice for millions of people across the country. Another reason behind the increasing demand for nurse practitioners is the fact that the aging population in the US is growing, and so more certified healthcare providers are required to address the needs of older people.
The Role And Characteristics Of An Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Following on from the previous point, those who are already nurse practitioners, as well as registered nurses who wish to progress in their career, can find a fruitful career in adult-gerontology acute care. Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners (AGACNPs) are trained to provide acute care for populations ranging from late adolescence to those in the later stages of life. Acute care consists of treating illnesses and injuries and ensuring patients remain in stable condition. With an aging population, healthcare needs are becoming more complex, with the chance of chronic health conditions occurring in adults increasing:
Managing Conditions
Chronic conditions, such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, need to be well managed by the patient, and polypharmacy is often required to tackle several acute or chronic conditions. Unfortunately, complications can arise when patients take several types of medication at a time. Complications can occur in areas such as pulmonology, endocrinology, orthopedics, and cardiology. It is down to AGACNPs to recognize complex interactions and diagnose and manage these health conditions. AGACNPs have the knowledge to create personalized healthcare plans for patients to help them manage their conditions. Additionally, AGACNPs may also need to carry out invasive procedures, such as intubation, in order to stabilize their patients.
High Earning Potential
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, qualified nurse practitioners can earn an average median salary of $117,670 per year. In comparison to the median wage of a registered nurse, nurse practitioners can earn more than $40,000 per year.
Positive Employment Outlook
Besides a high salary, NPs have a much higher employment percentage than all other occupations, with a predicted growth of 45 percent from 2020 to 2030. With a positive employment outlook and growing demand for advanced registered nurses, NPs not only benefit from excellent job security they are also in the position to negotiate perks. These benefits include scheduling, retirement contributions, salary, and holidays.
Is This Role Right for Me?
As with any other nurse practitioner role, you need to possess an innate need to look after others. Successful NPs are compassionate people; they pay attention to small details, they are critical thinkers, and they can make decisions efficiently. In addition, those who work in adult-gerontology acute care must be able to cope with the pressure of helping patients with critical and complex conditions. Therefore, AGACNPs must be able to manage their emotions well. To deliver optimum care for these types of patients, NPs need to be both empathetic and level-headed while possessing the ability to multi-task and make good healthcare decisions. As AGACNPs need to deal with complex and critical conditions, they will naturally work with many other healthcare professionals to offer the best care to patients. This means that potential AGACNPs need to be excellent communicators, and they should also collaborate well with others. Before diving into this specialty, working nurses can shadow AGACNPs to gain insight into the role. You can also ask colleagues to shed light on the negative and positive aspects of this acute care occupation.
How Can I Become an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner?
As with any other high-level nursing profession, there are a few key steps you need to take before becoming certified. The initial stage of becoming an AGACNP is the same as becoming an NP and an APRN, with extra requirements coming after completion of the initial degree:
Obtain A BSN Degree
The first step to gaining certification as an AGACNP involves higher education. Only qualified RNs can become AGACNP, and so you must obtain either an associate degree in nursing (ADN) first, or you can immediately get your bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). The ADN teaches you the basics of becoming a skilled nurse, whereas a BSN can give you a more well-rounded insight, and you can apply for RN positions immediately after graduating and passing the NCLEX-RN exam.
Choosing the right program matters throughout your educational journey. With the high number of nursing degree programs on the market, it is essential that you research everything and choose one that has been accredited by a reputable organization such as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Pass The NCLEX-RN Examination
RNs who have achieved their BSN can then go on to pass the NCLEX-RN exam. In order to prepare for this important examination, students should use study guides and take plenty of test papers. Once graduates have passed, they can then apply for their RN license.
Earn An MSN Degree
After obtaining a BSN and an RN license, you can pursue a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree. An MSN offers students a deeper understanding of the field of nursing, and students can opt to specialize in adult-gerontology as they learn. Without having this MSN certificate, you would be unable to pursue certain career goals. If your dream is to secure a role within adult-gerontology acute care, for example, you would first need to MSN degree before taking a post-masters in this specialty.
Earning A Post-Masters Certificate
Once you are an MSN holder, you have the opportunity to earn post-master certificates. Gaining a specific AGACNP post-master certificate can increase your chances of securing a role in the future. Therefore, it is something that you should highly consider if you do have goals of working in adult gerontology, providing acute care. Without this certificate, you would be unable to carry out the work required. Make sure to first gain your MSN before pursuing your AGACNP post-masters.
Consider Other Advanced Degree Programs
An MSN is an advanced degree; other advanced degrees you can earn to become an AGACNP is a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree or a Ph.D. in nursing. An MSN, a DNP, and a Ph.D. equip students with advanced training and a specific set of skills to help them succeed in their chosen specialty.
Consider Online Degrees
Getting your degree, at any stage during your journey to becoming an AGACNP, needn’t involve physically going back to the classroom for endless hours of education. There are plenty of reputable degree programs to choose from that are taught 100 percent online. This allows working nurses to juggle their studies with their usual commitments. In addition, getting your degree online gives you the chance to progress your career while earning a living at the same time.
Gain Clinical Experience
Relevant experience is a must when it comes to leveling up in nursing, and prospective adult-gerontology acute care students should aim to gain clinical experience in providing patient care within this area. You can gain clinical hours in a clinical placement in a supervised setting as part of your BSN degree. Additionally, you can also volunteer your time in facilities that offer geriatric care. Altogether, you need at least 500 hours of supervised clinical practice experience to be able to apply to become an AGACNP.
Pass The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination
An AGACNP certification exam must be passed before you can work within this specialty as a nurse practitioner. Make sure the examination is administered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This examination tests prospective nurse practitioners on their comprehension of various topics, such as pharmacology, theory, and their techniques in assessment and diagnostics. Additionally, nurses must apply for state certification as an AGACNP in their chosen state of practice. The certificate should be renewed through the board and through the state every five years.
Finding Work As An AGACNP
With unencumbered licenses and an advanced degree from an accredited institution, nurses can then go on to find work as AGACNP. According to the 2020 AANP National NP Sample Survey, the top practice settings for adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners are hospital inpatient units and hospital outpatient clinics. However, certified AGACNPs can also provide comprehensive care in other healthcare settings such as physician’s offices and educational care centers. AGACNPs also have the option to work in private practices. For a qualified nurse practitioner in adult-gerontology acute care, the primary clinical focus includes critical care, cardiovascular, and hospitalist.
In addition to working in typical healthcare and medical settings, AGACNPs can also become case managers for different types of companies, or they can work for government entities and non-profit organizations. AGACNPs can also work in educational institutions and go into teaching or conduct research that can help shape the future of their field. Depending on the state in which you choose to practice, certified nurse practitioners can also provide care independently at nurse-led clinics without the supervision of a doctor, and they can also work directly in the homes of their patients.