As the aging population places a tremendous burden on the healthcare sector, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners address this strain by caring for elderly patients. They attend to their needs by managing their chronic conditions, helping them avoid diseases, and guiding them about their overall well-being.
The work is not easy, but it’s definitely a rewarding one. AGNP is a rapidly growing profession with an expected growth rate of 45% by 2029. This growth has led to its popularity among many potential nurses, so why should you be left behind? Utilize the opportunity to get an advanced degree in AGNP now and expand your career horizons to build a secure financial future.
To get started on a promising career ladder, here’s what you need to know about the profession:
1. What Would An Adult-Gerontology Career Look For You?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of nurse practitioners is expected to increase by 28% in the next five years. By pursuing this field, you can gain access to a lot of benefits. The services offered by an AGNP demonstrate the intensive educational program, which can be obtained by enrolling in AGNP degree programs.
First, you need a BSN degree and a basic license to procure a job. After it, you can continue your education and work side by side by enrolling in the Online Master of Science in Nursing – AGNP program. Following completion of the flexible online program, you’ll have the clinical and specialized knowledge needed to provide care as an AGNP.
Below, is a detailed overview of the benefits you will receive as an AGNP.
Job Prospects.
Nurse practitioners will have steady career options in the next few years. The rate at which they’re growing will lead to approximately 53,300 new jobs. That means when you join the sector, there will be a career waiting for you.
After obtaining a license, you can access different fields within AGNP that may lead you to work with adolescents or older patients. It also helps to know that your career will not get threatened since there is a big job market and there’s no labor shortage to lay off the staff.
Salary.
The field offers you a very secure income, approximately $90,102, per year. While the amount is a starting salary, the more you commit and stay on the field, the higher your salary can go. If you work for more than six years, you can get a bonus of approximately $102,000.
The money you make during your career depends on your profession’s duration and length. It is also enough to help you think about retirement comfortably. With a job that offers you substantial career growth coupled with good money, who wouldn’t want it? You can also facilitate your salary by working in states like Massachusetts and California and earning their highest income.
Satisfying Job.
Everyone wants a career that makes you happy. A career in nursing allows for tremendous personal growth. While dealing with some patients might be challenging, it offers an immense opportunity for self-learning. You become patient, more lenient in your approach, and tender at heart. The most you will do as an AGNP is administer primary care and only wheel them away for other treatments when necessary. Moreover, you get to see your patients getting better and enjoy helping them get back on their feet.
The US world health report gave the fifth position to the nursing profession due to its high degree of satisfaction.
2. Why Should You Choose The Profession?
When selecting a profession, you need to know why confident choices are suitable for you. Adult gerontology has already shown substantial growth and promise in career prospects. There are many other factors that make this career attractive and worth considering, which make adult-gerontology a viable career option.
The Healthcare Needs Professionals.
There is no end in sight to the aging population. Instead, life expectancy has improved, making it possible for them to live longer. However, an extended lifespan is also an invitation to a slowing down body. They need assistance getting medicines that enable them to go about their normal routines, which is where nurses come into the picture.
As a nurse, you may also need to deal with teenagers who are often challenging to deal with. The skills you learned in your educational journey will help you manage your relationship with older people and teens.
You Can Work With Different Age Groups.
An AGNP primary care nurse may deal with elders most of the time, but it doesn’t mean their patient range is limited to them. They can work with a range of patients, including teenagers. Their duties include looking after them and guiding them on their complex needs. Teenagers have a different set of conditions, including hormonal and physical attributes to their changing body, that only a professional can handle best.
Work In Different Healthcare Settings.
AGNP’s work setting is not restricted to hospitals alone. They can work in numerous settings, including clinics, assisted living, and nursing homes, and can also tap into different departments such as the ICU and cardiac care units.
3. How Do You Become An Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner?
The process of pursuing adult-gerontology is pretty simple. You don’t need to jump through many hoops or look for references; completing the educational path with flying colors is sufficient to get you the desired position. However, it requires a great deal of effort.
Become A Registered Nurse.
You need to appear in the state exams for a nurse’s license after getting your bachelor’s.
Work With Older Patients.
It would help if you worked with older patients to ensure you get an idea about their needs. The hours go into your medical school profile as a nurse and your resume,
Get Your Masters.
Once you have your license, you should look into getting a master’s degree in Adult-Gerontology. Numerous online platforms allow that.
Get Licensed.
After completing your master’s, you need to apply for the licensing exam. Once you get it, you’re now specialized in caring for older patients.
Final Thoughts
Adult-Gerontology is one of the promising careers in the medical sector. In addition to its rapid growth, the industry shows great promise in terms of stability. As a nurse practitioner, you’ll get to work with a range of patients, each with their complex needs, but your career focuses on older patients. Working with them not only allows you immense satisfaction as a human being but also builds secure employment with a good salary.
