Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPC NP) advanced practice nursing specialty prepares students to provide comprehensive, patient-centered, quality care to the entire spectrum of adults, including young adults, adults, and older frail adults.
This course of study emphasizes improving quality of life through comprehensive assessment and management of health and illness in the context of individuals, families, health care settings, and society.
The adult-gerontology acute care NP is a provider of direct health care services. The focus is to provide patient-centered, high quality care to both the adult and older adult population. The adult-gerontology acute care NP applies evidence-base findings in practice to improve quality of care and health care outcomes (AACN, 2012).
Core Competencies are based on the AACN Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Competencies (2012)
- Health Promotion, health protection, disease prevention, and treatment
- Assessment of health status
- Diagnosis of health status
- Plan of care and implementation of treatment
- Nurse Practitioner-Patient Relationship
- Teaching-Coaching function
- Professional Role
- Managing and negotiating health care delivery systems
- Monitoring and ensuring the quality of health care practice
- Cultural and spiritual competence
Certification for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Upon completion of the course of study, graduates are eligible to take the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certification exam given by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This exam is expected to launch in 2013. For more information see: www.nursecredentialing.org.
Additional Information on the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
AACN (2012). Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Competencies.
Washington, D.C. Author.