Role confusion FNP vs AGACNP

Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) practitioner students are often confused about whether they should apply to a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) versus an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse practitioner (AGACNP) program.  In the past, FNPs had a wide scope of practice including acute care specialization in emergency departments, inpatient hospital settings, and intensive care units. With the advent of the Consensus Model for APRN regulation: licensure, accreditation, certification and education (2008), FNPs are no longer qualified to care for persons with acute and chronic conditions that may result in rapid physiologic deterioration or life-threatening instability (AACN, 2012; NONPF, 2012; APRN Consensus Model, 2008).  

Educational programs across the Unites States are changing their curriculum to meet the new regulatory model standards. Advanced practice nursing programs can concurrently educate students in family or acute care providing they meet all of the other requirements for advanced practice education programs (APRN Consensus Model, 2008). Programs preparing graduates across both roles, must utilize the consensus-based competencies for successful dual certification (AACN 2012, 2013). Several APRN programs have developed dual FNP/ AGACNP educational tracks. Other programs offer post graduate education certification while others offer separate educational tracks. Faculty advising students applying to these educational programs need to understand the differences in the family versus acute care roles and competencies.

Significant overlap exists between FNP and AGACNP roles, however educational preparation and clinical practice between the two disciplines varies. The family versus acute care practice scope is not setting specific but is based on patient care needs (AACN, 2012, 2013). Both FNPs and AGACNPs are regulated by state level licensure and are certified nationally either by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), or the Association Critical Care Nurses (ACCN). A FNP graduate is prepared to care for individuals and families across the lifespan whereas AGACNPs provide care to adults with acute, critical and chronic conditions. (AACN, 2012, 2013). Whereas FNPs practice in primary care, specialty clinics and inpatient hospital units, AGACNP practice in specialty clinics, emergency departments, trauma centers, inpatient hospital, intensive care and rehabilitation units.