Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)

The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) program at the Orvis School of Nursing (OSN) prepares nurses to provide high-quality, comprehensive primary care to adult and older adult populations. AGPCNPs are educated to address a range of health needs, from wellness and disease prevention to managing chronic illnesses and complex health conditions, with a focus on the unique needs of adults and aging individuals.

This program offers both MSN and DNP degree options, enabling students to pursue advanced practice nursing at the level that best suits their professional goals. Through specialized coursework and immersive clinical experiences, students develop expertise in primary care management for a diverse adult population across various settings, including outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, and specialty practices. The program includes 780 clinical hours in supervised settings, fully coordinated by OSN, allowing students to focus entirely on patient care and skill development. DNP students complete additional residency hours for a total of 1000 hours.

Scope of practice and career opportunities

Graduates of the AGPCNP program are equipped to diagnose, manage, and treat common and complex health issues among adult and older adult patients. They play a vital role in enhancing quality of life and health outcomes, whether working in primary care clinics, specialty practices, long-term care facilities, or community health centers. AGPCNPs provide continuity of care, disease prevention, and education tailored to adult populations, promoting wellness throughout the aging process.

Upon completion of the AGPCNP track, graduates will be able to do the following;

• Integrate advanced theoretical, scientific, and clinical knowledge for the assessment and management of adult health and illness.
• Apply clinical reasoning and build collaborative relationships with intra- and interprofessional teams to deliver optimal, patient-centered care.
• Implement health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic disease management strategies tailored to adults and older adults.
• Advocate for patients by imparting knowledge, individualizing therapies, and enhancing patient self-care through education and support.
• Use evidence-based practices designed to improve quality of care and health outcomes across primary care settings.

Curriculum and clinical experience

The AGPCNP curriculum combines rigorous academic coursework with 780 clinical hours in OSN-secured placements, ensuring students gain practical experience in real-world primary care environments.

Sample courses include the following:

• Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostics
• Pathophysiology
• Advanced Pharmacology for Adult and Older Adult Populations
• Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Conditions
• Health Promotion and Disease Prevention for Adults and Older Adults
• Clinical experiences include primary care clinics, community health centers, specialty care settings, and geriatric practices.

Certification and accreditation

Graduates of the AGPCNP program are eligible to sit for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification exam (American Nurses Credentialing Center or American Association of Nurse Practitioners). Orvis graduates regularly exceed the national first-attempt pass rate, with most cohorts achieving a 100% pass rate. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), reflecting OSN’s commitment to excellence in nursing education.