EP133: What Do Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners Do?

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) provide care for the sickest of the sick in a variety of clinical care settings.  And in a world where the baby-boom generation is living longer and needing more health care, nurses with expertise in treating older adults in the acute care setting will be in high demand. 

So, if you're looking for a career where you can make a real difference, you might consider becoming an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.

It's time for another riveting episode of This Is Getting Old: Moving Towards An Age-Friendly World.  We're excited to welcome two advanced practice nursing faculty join us: Linda Briggs, D.N.P, ACNP-BC, FAANP and Helen Brown, M.S., ACNP-BC, FNP-BC, FAANP. 

Key points covered in this episode:

✔️ A Trailblazer in Nurse Education: Dr Linda A. Briggs' Legacy in the Field

Linda A. Briggs has been a cardiovascular specialist for decades – so long that she's earned dual certification as an Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. She received a Fulbright Specialist, and she was awarded the GW Bender Teaching Award in 2017, proving her commitment to educating future nurse practitioners. 

✔️ From ED to Classroom: Experienced AGACNP Nurse—Helen Ferguson Brown

Helen Ferguson Brown has over 20 years of experience in Emergency Departments and a passion for quality patient care. She is an acute care nurse practitioner and an adjunct clinical instructor at GW University, where she's been teaching AGACNP students for 5 years. Her dedication to education has earned her national recognition, including the esteemed Circle of Excellence Award from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.

✔️ Mastering the Art and Science of AGACNP: What They Do and Why It Matters?

Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNPs) are the superheroes who save lives in emergencies. These highly trained nurse practitioners take care of those who are the sickest of the sick, the physiologically unstable, technologically dependent and highly vulnerable patients, and they work their magic in all sorts of settings - not just hospitals. 

They might be found saving lives in rehab centers, performing superhero feats in ambulatory surgical centers, or even flying high as flight nurses on helicopters. No matter where they're based, AGACNPs are ready to leap into action whenever their patients need them.

✔️ From Bedside to Boardroom: Where AGACNPs Make Their Mark

The American Association of Critical Care Nurses wants to remind us that care isn't bound by location. AGACNPs, who traditionally work in hospitals, can also be found in other settings - outpatient clinics, urgent care facilities, and even rehab and long-term care facilities. Their adult general background allows them to work in many different places. The possibilities are endless for these versatile healthcare professionals. Although they work with a team, they are more like independent providers, taking charge and making the tough calls.

✔️ AGACNP Salaries: How Much Can You Really Make?

Are you ready to give your nursing career a boost? As an AGACNP, you have your pick of exciting job opportunities, especially in hospitals. And we're not just talking pocket change - according to ZipRecruiter, the average salary in Jan 2023 is a sweet $108,054. But wait, there's more! In Washington, DC, you can rake in a cool $115,659, as reported by Salary.com. Keep in mind, the numbers may vary depending on location and workplace.

✔️ AGACNP Training Using Simulate

Simulation labs at GW are top-notch, allowing students to diagnose and assess critically-ill patients. From scenarios based on real-life experiences in the emergency department and ICUs, they have to diagnose various conditions, from septic shock to arrhythmias. Essentially, they're given a chance to practice their AGSCNP skills  without any real-life consequences, of course.

✔️ Mapping Out Your Nursing Degree

Are you a nurse passionate about helping the most complex and critically ill patients? If you're a BSN-prepared nurse or certified nurse practitioner seeking to become an advanced practice nurse, look no further than GW's AG-ACNP program! 

Our part-time MSN program spans 48 credits and 600 clinical hours, while our BSN-DNP program covers 70 credits and 1000 clinical hours. For those already holding a Master's degree, our post-Master's certificate might be right up your alley with 20 credits and 600 clinical hours. Don't wait; apply now to take your nursing career to the next level!

✔️ AGACNP Education at GW

Want to dive into the world of adult gerontology acute care nursing? You can find out all the juicy details on Nursing.gwu.edu! Apply now ~ and if you need any help or have questions, you can call Dr. Linda Briggs, D.N.P., ACNP-BC, FAANP, at 202-994-6259. 

If you have questions or comments or need help, please feel free to drop a one-minute audio or video clip and email it to me at [email protected], and I will get back to you by recording an answer to your question. 

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About Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN:

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing ('96) and Master of Science in Nursing ('00) as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) School of Nursing (SON). I genuinely enjoy working with the complex medical needs of older adults. I worked full-time for five years as FNP in geriatric primary care across many long-term care settings (skilled nursing homes, assisted living, home, and office visits), then transitioned into academic nursing in 2005, joining the faculty at UNCW SON as a lecturer. I obtained my PhD in Nursing and a post-master's Certificate in Nursing Education from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing ('11). I then joined the faculty at Duke University School of Nursing as an Assistant Professor. My family moved to northern Virginia in 2015 which led to me joining the George Washington University (GW) School of Nursing faculty in 2018 as a (tenured) Associate Professor. I am also the Director of the GW Center for Aging, Health, and Humanities. Please find out more about her work at https://melissabphd.com/.