Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate
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Program at a Glance
- This program is designed for RNs interested in advancing their career as an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP).
- Prepare to sit for primary care certification exams.
- Start when it's convenient for you and complete most of your coursework online.
- The postgraduate online certificate program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Upcoming Start Dates
We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.
Course Effort
15–18 Hours per Week
Course Length
10-Week Terms
Average Completion
1.5 years
Of Full-Time Study
Credits Required
60
(40 Semester Credits)
Cost per Credit
$420
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate (AGNP) Overview
Are you a registered nurse with a master’s degree who is interested in evaluating the health and wellness of individuals, families, and your community? An adult gerontological nurse practitioner certificate can prepare you to promote and provide care as a member of a health care team and improve the availability of evidence-based, culturally relevant health care in diverse communities.
Become an advocate for elderly patients in settings such as family practices, nursing or convenient care facilities, or universities. The program focuses on developing the skills to:
- Collaborate with the individual, community, and other health care professionals to ensure high-quality primary care services.
- Serve as an advocate for individuals as they interact with the health care system.
- Maintain quality of care through consultation, collaboration, and continuing education.
- Provide care in a holistic manner that is responsive to the individual’s cultural and spiritual beliefs.
See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.
Note: At this time, residents of the following states and territories may not enroll in this program: Hawaii, Louisiana, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, and Guam. In addition, international students are not eligible to enroll in this program.
Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
The postgraduate APRN certificate programs at Purdue Global are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.CCNEAccreditation.org).
Clinical Practice Experience
Apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting. As part of the postgraduate certificate program, you will participate in a series of clinical practice sessions at a health care facility or clinical site to gain valuable real-world experience.
Contact an Admissions Advisor for more information about the number of hours needed to complete the clinical requirement.
Admissions Requirements
A master's degree with an upper-level major in nursing and an approved criminal background check is required. You will need to provide an official transcript that shows completion of your master's degree from an accredited institution, though an unofficial copy may be provided during the application process. Additional requirements apply. Refer to the program-specific policy page in the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.
Ways to Save
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Financial Aid
Title IV federal financial aid is available for many of our degree programs.
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Corporate Partner Benefits
Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.
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Military Tuition Reduction
55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers, 38% per credit for veterans for undergraduate programs.
Program Cost Estimator
Calculate your estimated tuition and ways to save.
What Does an Adult Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Do?
The adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP) (or gerontological nurse practitioner) works with a broad patient population that includes adults of all ages. Responsibilities include:
- Diagnosing, treating, and managing chronic health conditions
- Promoting general health
- Delivering preventive care
- Prescribing and managing medication
- Participating in the development of appropriate policy and evidence-based practice
- Serving as a health educator and coach to individuals, families, and communities
- Employing the latest technology to assist patients
Faculty With Real-World Experience
Our faculty has decades of nursing experience and brings real-world knowledge to the classroom. Many hold doctorates or advanced nursing certifications; all faculty members possess at least a master’s degree.
What Courses Will I Take?
Coursework focuses on preparing you to promote and provide primary care as a member of an interprofessional team and improve the availability of evidence-based, culturally relevant health care in diverse communities.
See All Nurse Practitioner CoursesSample Courses
- Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology
- Advanced Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics
- Primary Care of the Adolescent and Adult
- Primary Care of Women's Health
- Primary Care of the Frail Elderly
Program Requirements
- Core Credits60
- Total Credits60
Career Opportunities
Nurse practitioners (NPs) function as primary providers to specialized groups of patients and can serve in many different work environments, including family practices or retail health locations. They can also play vital roles in convenient care facilities, nursing care facilities, and universities.
Responsibilities may include diagnosing and treating patients, ordering tests, interpreting results, preparing treatment plans, and prescribing medication (in many states).
Top 5 Skills Employers Are Looking for:
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Social Perceptiveness
- Service Orientation
Top Jobs With This Degree
Labor market, salary, and projected growth information are supplied by Emsi. Average salary range is based on national data. Projected growth represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2018–2030) at the state level and is based on your geographic location. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment. Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement. Additional certification or licensing may be required to work in certain fields.
Get to Know Our Faculty
Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.
View Nursing Faculty Directory
98%
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
51%
Faculty members who hold a doctorate
395
Faculty publications in 2021–2022
More Than 38,000
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2021–2022
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2022. 2021–2022 academic year.
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NOTES AND CONDITIONS
*Nursing Licensure: Graduates who pass the relevant certification exam may be academically eligible for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse in any state in which the program is available for enrollment. Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please refer to Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications page for state-specific licensure information. The University cannot guarantee students will be eligible to sit for or pass exams.
Please note that most states require nurses to be nationally certified and to have completed an accredited graduate nursing program in order to obtain licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse. Each national certification provider and state Board of Nursing will have eligibility requirements in addition to these educational requirements, such as passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they are eligible for state Board of Nursing approval and certification as an advanced practice registered nurse in their state. Students can obtain additional information from their state's Board of Nursing, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).