For many passionate graduates, nursing is not simply a job, it’s a calling. With the rise in demand for qualified nurses across the country, and the ability to specialize in the area of nursing they’re most passionate about, it’s a fantastic time for prospective nurses to begin shaping a fulfilling career.

Nursing specializations allow graduates to build an advanced understanding of a particular area of nursing. Among those areas, the specialty of adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP) is a challenging but rewarding field centered on the care of adult patients’ acute and chronic health conditions.

Unlike adult gerontology primary care nurses, AGACNPs encounter urgent and complex cases. These involve more than one chronic condition or the interaction and management of multiple symptoms, as opposed to primary or long-term patient care.

By pursuing an advanced degree such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), future nursing leaders are able to build a better understanding of what an acute care nurse is, what they do, and if the AGACNP specialty is right for them. Equipped with advanced skills and a thorough knowledge of nursing, acute care nurses help patients manage and overcome challenging illnesses.

What Does an AGACNP Do?

Earning a nursing specialization allows graduates to take the next step in their career, allowing future nursing leaders to develop an in-depth and advanced understanding of their chosen field of nursing. This focus allows an AGACNP to assess, diagnose, prescribe medication, and create treatment plans for adult patients suffering from complex, chronic and acute conditions.

AGACNPs often work in hospitals and intensive care units, trauma departments or acute care facilities. What an acute care nurse is likely to encounter can vary from one institution to the next, requiring them to be prepared to treat young adults aged 18 or older, middle-aged patients, and geriatric patients of all backgrounds.

Additionally, with many AGACNPs treating patients in emergency care, acute care nurses gain experience providing post-treatment and post-surgical therapeutic care strategies. This requires nursing leaders to think on their feet while closely monitoring their patients’ recovery. With the advanced knowledge and skills gained from a higher education, AGACNPs can help their patients cope with the ebb and flow of disease management and work toward a healthy future.