[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]FNP and AGNP Key Similarities and Differences[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Family nurse practitioners (FNP) and adult-geriatric nurse practitioners (AGNP) share many similarities but have key differences. Your chosen specialty depends on your practice preferences and career goals. Learn about the FNP vs. AGNP duties, required education, job outlook, and other important factors to discover the best path for you.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]FNPs and AGNPs are types of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who have earned their master’s or doctoral degrees in nursing. They assess, diagnose, and treat patients. They are both found in primary care settings and collaborate with other healthcare professionals to meet patient needs. Both treat adults and pediatric patients.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Unlike AGNPs, FNPs treat patients across the lifespan from infancy to end of life and only work in primary care, especially in private practices. Their roles emphasize ensuring wellness over treating acute ailments.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Unlike FNPs, AGNPs do not treat infants and small children, specializing in working with adolescents and above. They can be found in primary care settings, but they also work in acute care. Many AGNPs work in emergency departments and intensive care units.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid]

[hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]FNP vs. AGNP Comparison[/hen-ui-table-caption][hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Comparison Point[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]FNP[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]AGNP[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Degree Required[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Comparison Point”]Master of science in nursing (MSN) or doctor of nursing practice (DNP)[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”FNP”]MSN or DNP[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Certification Options[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Comparison Point”]American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and the American Nurses Credentialing Center, American Nurses Association[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”FNP”]American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and the American Nurses Credentialing Center, American Nurses Association[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Population Focus [/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Comparison Point”]All ages[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”FNP”]Adolescents and older[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Duties and Responsibilities[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Comparison Point”][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Treat minor injuries[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Diagnose ailments[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Prescribe medications[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Conduct assessments[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Make specialist referrals[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Complete wellness checks[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”FNP”][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Treat major and minor injuries[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Diagnose ailments[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Prescribe medications[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Conduct assessments[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Make specialist referrals[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Complete wellness checks[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Median Annual Salary[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Comparison Point”]$108,133, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Family_Nurse_Practitioner_(NP)/Salary” target=”_blank”]Payscale September 2025[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”FNP”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Adult-Gerontology_Nurse_Practitioner_(AGNP)/Salary” target=”_blank”]$107,694[/hen-ui-link] for primary care NPs and [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Adult_Gerontology_Acute_Care_Nurse_Practitioner/Salary” target=”_blank”]$96,063[/hen-ui-link] for acute care NPs. (Payscale September 2025)[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table]

[hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Duties and Responsibilities[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Both FNPs and AGNPs assess patients, order tests, diagnose conditions, and prescribe treatment. They also maintain medical records, provide patient education, and may supervise other nursing staff.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A large difference between an FNP and an AGNP is that an FNP can treat patients from birth on, but an AGNP treats adults and adolescents.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Depending on state regulations, [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/np-practice-authority-by-state/”]FNPs and AGNPs may practice independently[/hen-ui-link] or need to enter a collaborative agreement with a supervising physician.[/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″]Both FNPs and AGNPs are [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/advanced-practice-nursing/”]APRNs[/hen-ui-link]. Becoming an APRN requires earning at least an [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/msn/”]MSN[/hen-ui-link], passing the applicable board certification examination, completing a criminal background check with fingerprinting, and getting licensed in your state.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The most common career path is to earn a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/bsn/”]bachelor’s degree in nursing[/hen-ui-link] and then an MSN. Many schools offer [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/rn-msn/”]RN-to-MSN bridge programs[/hen-ui-link] for nurses with an [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/adn/”]associate degree in nursing[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Salary and Career Outlook[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Like the specialties, FNP and AGNP salary ranges are similar, but key differences exist based on your career choice. Primary care AGNPs earn more than FNPs, while acute care AGNP earnings are higher than those of both groups. Learn more details from the following breakdown of FNP and AGNP salaries.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]FNP vs. AGNP: Which Career Is Right for Me?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The family nurse practitioner vs. adult-gerontology nurse practitioner career decision depends on your career goals and preferences. \Both careers offer similar work settings and responsibilities and also require the same level of education and certification.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you think you might later want to specialize further, specialize in pediatric care, or simply want to work with children as part of your practice, an FNP certification will let you work with any age.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]However, if you think you might want to specialize in gerontology, acute care, behavioral health, hospice or palliative care, in that case, an AGNP specialty will give you more experience in those areas.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]When making your FNP vs. AGNP decision, talking to mentors, networking at professional events, and discussing your options with school admission staff can be very helpful. Whichever you choose, you are launching a personally and financially rewarding career with high levels of professional autonomy and the chance to make a difference.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-section-header title=”Related Pages” /][hen-ui-article-row variant=”3-col” ids=”34162,58595,66078″][/hen-ui-article-row]