Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Entrance points for the AGPCNP concentration:
Provide Care for the Unique Needs of Adults of All Ages
In less than two decades, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that older Americans will outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history. By 2034, the number of people 65+ is expected to reach 77 million. This demographic shift points to the rising health care needs for adults and older adults in our country.
Wilkes University’s online MSN-AGPCNP program provides you with a pathway to address the growing need for nurse practitioners in this specialized area of primary care. The role of the AGPCNP is to assess, diagnose and treat the health care needs of adolescents, adults and older adults. Depending on the state in which you live, you can care for patients from 11, 15 or 18+.
As a primary care provider for adults across the continuum of care, in addition to screening patients, ordering tests and providing treatment plans, AGPCNPs may also manage transitions between care settings and provide patient and caregiver education.
Depending on your state's scope of practice regulations, you will be qualified to autonomously provide primary care and address the health concerns of this specialized population. You will play an important role in managing their health to improve their functionality and quality of life while facilitating health promotion and disease prevention.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are reviewed on an individual basis and will be evaluated for admission based on the criteria for each program. These admission standards represent the minimum eligibility requirements for the program. Admission committee members reserve the right to request additional information from candidates for a more in-depth review of qualifications.
Associate Degree in Nursing (RN) to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – AGPCNP
- Associate degree in nursing with a 3.0 GPA
- Unencumbered RN license*
- One year of clinical experience (by the start of the NP clinical courses)
- Resume
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – AGPCNP
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) with a 3.0 GPA
- Unencumbered RN license*
- One year of clinical experience (by the start of the NP clinical courses)
- Resume
Post-Graduate/APRN Certificate – AGPCNP
- MSN, DNP or BSN-DNP degree with a 3.0 GPA
- Unencumbered RN license*
- Resume
Please note that prior to beginning and continuing in any of the nursing programs with Wilkes University, you must be located in an authorized state and be licensed in the state where you intend to complete your clinical activities, per that state’s clinical requirements. Your location (which may be your state of residency) and clinical activity do not need to be in the same state, as long as Wilkes is authorized in both states.
*Applications presenting a history of disciplinary action on professional licenses will be subject to an additional review by the Special Licensure Discrepancy Committee of the University.
* The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master's degree in nursing/ Doctor of Nursing Practice and post-graduate/APRN certificate programs at Wilkes University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org)
Stress Less with Clinical Placement Support
Clinical practicums are an exciting opportunity for students to apply what they’ve learned in real-world settings. However, finding a local placement can be challenging, requiring significant time and effort to identify and secure clinical sites and preceptors.
We aim to take the stress out of the process by offering built-in clinical placement support—at no additional cost. Our team works diligently to secure high-quality placements that align with your goals and program guidelines, so you can focus on building your competencies as a nurse practitioner, not on navigating logistics.
Wilkes nurses have found success at leading healthcare providers including:
- Gelsinger
- Lehigh Valley Health Network
- St. Luke’s Health Network
While we cannot guarantee every clinical placement, our success rates consistently exceed the national average—highlighting our commitment to making the process as seamless as possible.
What Will You Learn During Clinicals?
Clinical placements are a cornerstone of the Wilkes MSN-NP program, offering students hands-on opportunities to apply advanced nursing skills in real-world settings. You’ll develop expertise in conducting comprehensive patient assessments, creating evidence-based care plans, managing chronic conditions, promoting wellness, and more.
Clinicals also emphasize leadership, teamwork, and patient-centered care, with opportunities to collaborate across disciplines and advocate. By the end of your clinical experience, you’ll be prepared to deliver specialized, high-quality care as a confident nurse practitioner.
As an MSN-NP student, here’s what you can expect during clinicals:
- Experience diverse healthcare settings, from hospitals to community clinics.
- Work with varied patient populations that align with your goals.
- Receive personalized support from Wilkes faculty, your Student Success Coach, and an on-site preceptor.
- Gain 1:1 mentorship to enhance your clinical expertise and confidence.
- Build valuable professional networks within your chosen specialty.
Sample Curriculum and Structure
Master of Science in Nursing – Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
To see the full program curriculum, access your free program guide.
Time to Complete
2 years
Courses
14 courses
Clinical Hours
500 Hours
This course provides an overview of the normal physiologic and pathologic mechanisms of disease and serves as one primary component of the foundation for clinical assessment, decision-making, and management. The course will prepare the advanced practice nurse for interpreting changes in normal function that results in symptoms indicative of illness in patients across the lifespan. (Credits: 3)
This course provides the basic principles of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapeutics for broad categories of drugs. Purpose of action, common interactions and contraindications of major drug categories are highlighted. Case studies are integrated to provide students the opportunity to demonstrate application of pharmacological theory in advancing nursing practice. (Credits: 3)
The nurse practitioner will develop processes for formulating differential diagnoses of acute and chronic physical and mental illnesses in the primary care setting across the life span. A case-study approach is integrated to prepare students for management of health status of patients through the implementation of strategies specific to the synthesis of data from multiple sources that promote quality of care outcomes for patients. (Pre-Requisites: NSG-530, NSG-533; Credits: 2)
This course presents an overview of the full and comprehensive health assessment of patients across the life span. Emphasis on multiple aspects of assessment including physical, functional, and mental health assessment along with transcultural variations, will prepare the student for advanced nursing practice.
This course is designed to introduce the advanced practice nursing student to the issues of culturally diverse, rural and underserved populations. The theory can be integrated into clinical practice for patients and families in primary care settings to promote understanding of differences and issues that impact comprehensive planning of health care services. (Credits: 2)
Get More Program Details
- Applications are currently being accepted for next intake
“To get something out of your education, you have to put something in,” says Elizabeth Swinny, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CCRN. A 2020 Wilkes grad, Swinny advises DNP students to be resilient and flexible to reach their goals. “Perseverance and resilience are mandatory.”
Elizabeth Swinny, DNP Graduate
What really drew me to Wilkes was the fact that they had a dedicated clinical placement team. It was a game-changer. Having to find my own preceptor and clinical placement site was an immense stressor, so knowing they would take care of that was one of the biggest perks that attracted me to Wilkes.
Craig Patton, Master of Science in Nursing
Something that I loved about this program is the attention that I got from my advisors early on, before even being accepted to the program. I was able to talk with my advisor over the phone and ask all of the questions that I had at the time to decide whether or not to move forward with the program. I had looked at a lot of schools, but this one fit what I needed.
Trenise Griffith, APRN Certificate
Obtaining a Ph.D. in Nursing online allowed me to work full-time while accomplishing my career and educational goals. The Wilkes faculty provided a caring learning environment and promoted academic excellence.
Rebecca Cavill, PHD, CRNP
Wilkes University Passan School of Nursing Ph.D. program was designed for the working person. Because of the design, I felt my dream of obtaining the Ph.D. was indeed possible.
Sonya Carothers, Family Nurse Practitioner; PhD
It is a collaborative partnership, between you and us, to get the best for you. Our responsibility is to educate you so that you are safe, effective, and able to care for those people you encounter.
Deborah Zbegner, Dean, Passan School of Nursing
Wilkes University PhD in Nursing online program afforded me the opportunity to advance my professional education and career goals while working full-time.
Regina Prosser, PhD in Nursing
How do Wilkes nurses demonstrate excellence?
By translating their knowledge into success on certification exams—proving they are confident and competent when it matters most. The table below highlights certification pass rates for Wilkes nurses across NP tracks, consistently exceeding national averages in recent years.
| YEAR 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Program | Certification Pass Rate: All Takers | National Pass Rate |
| Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) | 95.4% | 90% |
| Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) | 84% | *74% |
| Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) | 91.6% | 80% |
*AANP National Pass Rate 2022, most recent data available
Read More About Wilkes Online MSN
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Media
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![Eugene Lucas]()
Dr. Eugene Lucas
Our PMHNP Concentration Coordinator has been elected to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners as the Liaison from the state of PA. These exemplary nurse practitioner (NP) leaders will set the strategic direction for the association and play an instrumental role in guiding the profession forward.
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![Julie Knapp]()
Julie Knapp
Congratulations to Julie Knapp, one of our online MSN-AGPCNP students, who is the honored recipient of the Nurses Educational Funds (NEF) Edith Pritchard Scholarship for 2023!
