For those considering AGNP vs. FNP specializations, it can be helpful to keep these two main distinctions in mind:
- An AGNP can work in primary care or acute care, but usually works in acute care, while an FNP will almost always work in a primary care environment. Candidates considering which certification to obtain will benefit from weighing the more fast-paced environment of acute care against the more long-term and preventive nature of primary care.
- An FNP can and often does work with patients from infancy through old age. AGNPs are not certified to provide care for infants or preadolescent children.
When it comes to AGNP vs. FNP certification paths, they are essentially the same. All candidates need to earn a primary nursing degree, practice as an RN for a number of years and then choose a specific area of specialty within the MSN degree.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, NPs as a group have a median yearly salary of $120,680, and this job category is projected to grow 46% between 2021 and 2031, which is much faster than the average.
Make an Impact in Care Delivery
All nurse practitioners, regardless of their specialization, have two things in common: advanced knowledge from their MSN training and a passion for making a positive impact in their patients’ lives. Whether they are AGNPs or FNPs, nurse practitioners are the very definition of “essential workers.”
NPs often serve at the front lines of healthcare and make treatment decisions that can literally mean the difference between life and death. Because of the affordability of their care, nurse practitioners can also fill the healthcare gaps in underserved areas, changing the world by providing medical care to those in desperate need.