Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Scope of Practice
Overview
The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) is a Registered Nurse prepared at the master’s degree level as a nurse practitioner whose focus is the primary care of adults. Vanderbilt educates the AGPCNP to provide comprehensive care to adults in a variety of primary care settings. AGPCNPs assess and manage common acute and chronic adult primary care health problems. Health education and disease prevention are important components of the AGPCNP role.
Credentials and Certification
Graduation from the MSN program prepares you for licensure and “approval to practice” as a Registered Nurse (RN) in every state. You also will be eligible to sit for examination for the applicable certification, and eligible for prescriptive authority in all 50 states, with restrictions as specified by each state. Visit Credentialing and Certification for specific information.
Functions Performed by the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Nurse Practitioner
In addition to general functions performed by the Advanced Practice Nurse, the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner may also provide these functions:
- Reduce illness and disabilities
- Coordinate community resource use
- Promote wellness-oriented self-care
- Teach preventative health promotion activities
- Negotiate the health care system as a patient advocate
- Provide health promotion intervention based on risk assessment
- Develop health promotion programs
