[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses moving into advanced practice choose specializations that allow them to work with specific populations or in defined practice areas. Two of those areas are adult-gerontology acute care and primary care. While both roles provide vital healthcare to patients, care levels and work environments vary.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide details the differences between these two nurse practitioner (NP) roles, covering work environments, job duties, education, and certifications. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between these two important specializations.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP and Primary Care NP Key Similarities and Differences[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ align=”right”][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Source:[/hen-ui-text] AANP, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Duties and Responsibilities[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Although there are some similarities between the daily duties of an AGACNP and a PCNP, the work environment, focus, and patient demographic vary by career path. The following sections highlight some of the typical responsibilities for each role.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Education and Certification[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Becoming AGACNP or a PCNP requires additional education beyond the nursing degree. Both roles require an active registered nurse (RN) license, a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), and a graduate degree, either an MSN or a DNP. However, there are differences in the curriculum, certification, and exams for each role, which are detailed below.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How to Become an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The path to becoming an AGACNP starts with earning an RN with a BSN degree. To become certified, nurses need an [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/popular-msn-degree-specializations//”]MSN with a relevant specialization[/hen-ui-link]. Since 2014, nurses who wish to become an ACNP must choose to specialize in either pediatric or adult-gerontology acute care and take the related courses and specialized exams.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The curriculum for an AGACNP includes coursework related to different age groups (adolescents, adults, geriatric) acute care, and pharmacology. Nurses also complete at least 500 supervised clinical hours to qualify to take the certification exam. You have three options for the exam:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Board Certification (AGPCNP-BC) from the ANCC[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aanpcert.org/certs/agnp” target=”_blank”]Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP) certification[/hen-ui-link] from the AANP[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacn.org/certification/get-certified/acnpc-ag” target=”_blank”]Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Adult-Gerontology) (ACNPC-AG) certification[/hen-ui-link] from the AACN[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How to Become a Primary Care NP[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Becoming a PCNP also begins with a BSN and an RN license, followed by an MSN degree. The curriculum includes coursework in pharmacology, health education and promotion, healthcare policy, and advanced physiology, and nurses must complete at least 500 hours of supervised clinical experience to qualify to take the certification exam.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]PCNPs are certified by the ANCC and the AANP. Specific options include:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) certification from AANP.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aanpcert.org/certs/fnp” target=”_blank”]Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)[/hen-ui-link] certification from ANCC.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Salary and Career Outlook[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NPs in any specialty enjoy a wide range of career opportunities and job security. The BLS projects high demand for NPs between 2020 and 2030, with job opportunities expected to increase by 45% in that time. The median annual [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/salary-by-state/”]salary[/hen-ui-link] for an NP — which is influenced by location, work environment, experience, and specialty — is $117,670.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ align=”center”]Average Annual Salary[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP vs. Primary Care NP: Which Career is Right For Me?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Both AGACNPs and PCNPs provide vital healthcare services to adult patients. They fill an important role in diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease, especially within underserved and vulnerable populations. With similar requirements for education and certification, and equal earning potential, the decision comes down to your individual goals and the work environment you prefer.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most AGACNPs work in fast-paced, tertiary care environments, including critical care and intensive care units. They often have unpredictable schedules. Patients of AGACNPs often require more complex care.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]PCNPs, on the other hand, typically work in office environments on a regular schedule. They are focused on building long-term relationships with patients, with a priority on overall wellness and disease prevention. PCNPs also work with children and adolescents, which can be a factor in choosing a career path.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Pages[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”56338,45561,34164,55811″][/hen-ui-article-row][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ tag=”em”]Page Last Reviewed April 27, 2022[/hen-ui-text]