FNP vs AGACNP- How Do You Decide?

So, you have carefully weighed the pros and cons of returning to school to get your NP and have decided to move forward! But now you’re debating between becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or an Adult Geriatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP). I recently wrote an article asking the question, PMHNP or FNP? Which Should I Become? If that is part of your thinking, read that post as well. 

Let’s examine the other question I see often asked on the nursing forums! FNP vs AGACNP. Something that really concerns me is that I frequently see students switching from one program to another, sadly, most often because they couldn’t find a particular kind of preceptor. (!) When I see this kind of thing, I REALLY hope that significant thought went into the decision because we are talking about your profession, not just what to eat for dinner or the color you want to paint your walls! So, it’s good to explore this further! Let’s talk about the differences of each. 

Acute Care NPs generally work with their patients for the short term, while FNPs generally follow their patients for months or years. Both have pros and cons, and different personalities fit different roles. Whether you choose to become an AGACNP or an FNP, you’ll become “a provider.” You’ll be making the medical decisions. So try to imagine yourself in both of these roles.


FNP Work Settings and Specialties

FNPs typically work in outpatient settings, such as primary care, internal medicine, geriatric medicine, and urgent care. However, they sometimes pursue additional training and venture into specialty areas like cardiology, sleep medicine, endocrinology, integrative medicine, or neurology. Some FNPs work in emergency rooms, frequently after obtaining additional Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) certification. There are many different things FNPs can do, but those are some of the most common settings.

ACNP Work Settings and Specialties

Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (ACNPs) primarily work in inpatient settings where they manage patients with acute, complex, and often life-threatening conditions. Common work environments include intensive care units (ICUs), emergency departments, trauma units, and surgical units. ACNPs are trained to perform advanced assessments, diagnose acute medical conditions, and initiate treatments in high-pressure situations. Many ACNPs also specialize in areas like cardiology, pulmonology, oncology, or critical care, often working closely with multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive patient care. Due to their expertise in acute care, they are key players in managing patients during hospital stays and in transition from hospital to home or rehabilitation settings.
Answering these questions that may help you decide:

FNP:

1. Do I enjoy working with patients of all age groups?

FNPs work with people of all ages, from children to the elderly.

2. Am I interested in primary care and wellness services?

FNPs emphasize preventive care and health maintenance, often in outpatient and specialty settings.

3. Do I prefer a more predictable schedule and a variety of patient interactions?

FNPs often work in diverse healthcare settings, offering flexibility in practice. Outpatient FNPs most often work “regular” daytime hours, M-F. Or, in Urgent Care, add weekends and evenings. 

AGACNP:

1. Am I comfortable working with adult and geriatric populations?
AGACNPs primarily focus on adult and elderly patients in both hospitals and specialty outpatient clinics.

2. Do I thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure environments? AGACNPs manage critical conditions in acute care settings, which can be intense and demanding. 

3. Am I interested in acute care and managing complex medical cases? AGACNPs handle acute illnesses and critical situations. Making an Informed Decision

What Next?
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1. Self-Assessment: Reflect on your interests, strengths, and career aspirations. Consider your preferred patient population and work environment.

2. Talk to NPs: Connect with experienced FNPs and AGACNPs to gain insights into their roles, daily responsibilities, and job satisfaction in various settings.

3. Clinical Rotations: Seek elective clinical experiences that align with your interests to gain exposure to different practice settings.

4. Job Market Research: Investigate the demand for both FNPs and AGACNPs in your desired location, considering factors like job availability and salary expectations in various specialties.

5. Professional Organizations: Join relevant professional organizations, such as the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), for resources and networking opportunities.

Consider Your Future Work-Life Balance

Think about what kind of work-life balance suits you best. As an FNP, you might have more predictable hours, especially in outpatient settings like primary care or specialty clinics. This can mean a steady routine, with the chance to have evenings, weekends, and holidays off, which is great if you have family commitments or prefer a consistent schedule. However, many FNPs complain about taking their charting home and a never-ending inbox.

If you choose to become an AGACNP, you’ll be in environments that provide 24/7 care, like hospitals or critical care units. This often involves nights, weekends, and long shifts, but many find it worth it to have extended periods off due to block scheduling. If you thrive in fast-paced settings and love a challenge, the variety and intensity of acute care might be a good fit for you. 

Choosing between FNP and AGACNP is an important decision!  Your choice should reflect your particular strengths, the type of healthcare professional you aspire to be, and the job market.

Choosing a Program

If you have made the decision on which direction to go, now you need to think about which program you will attend. Be sure to read our article
Choosing the Right Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program. 
The information in the article also pertains to other programs as well, so even if you decide on another program, read on! Good luck out there, and choose wisely! 

The PreceptorLink® Difference

At PreceptorLink®, with nearly a decade of experience in preceptor matching, we go beyond simply connecting you with preceptors. We believe in QUALITY. For our NP profession to continue to have positive outcomes, we must ensure quality education. Our goal is to match quality students with quality preceptors to develop quality clinicians. Our founder, Lynn McComas, DNP, ANP-C, has leveraged her extensive experience and contacts as an NP to create our business, educate our team, and design our tech-enabled match-making App. We want to not only connect students with qualified preceptors but also equip them to make the most of this crucial learning phase. We also quant to provide education to help support preceptors. 
If you need a preceptor, want to become a preceptor, or have a burning question about the nurse practitioner profession, we’re here to help! Lynn and The PreceptorLink® team are experts in the area of precepting and the NP profession. Check out our App, review our How It Works page, or reach out to us at 888-418-6620. www.PreceptorLink.com

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