The Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) is a highly trained advanced practice nurse who blends the science of medicine with the art of caring. AGNP’s are specially trained to manage the primary health care needs of adults, with a strong emphasis on preventive care for patients aged 18 and older. The AGNP’s role is to build lasting relationships and empower patients to take charge of their own health. AGNP’s are equipped to manage both preventative healthcare needs as well as manage acute and chronic medical conditions. They are also poised to provide unparalleled guidance and support to their communities through health education, advocacy and quality improvement within the healthcare systems in which they work.

An AGNP’s day might start with a well woman exam, shift to managing a diabetic’s treatment plan, include diagnosing a respiratory infection, and finish by coordinating a recovery treatment plan for an elderly patient who has suffered a recent stroke. They listen deeply, educate passionately, and advocate fiercely— often in clinics, community health centers, skilled nursing facilities, and private practices. What makes AGNPs truly special is their holistic approach. They look beyond symptoms to understand the whole person — their environment, family dynamics, stress levels, and goals. They see health not just as the absence of disease, but as the presence of well-being.

Be the difference in your patients’ lives today. Start your AGNP journey now!

The AGNP program trains nurses to manage adult health care, emphasizing preventive care for ages 18+.

Admissions Deadlines

The School of Nursing accepts Nurse Practitioner students in the Fall and Winter Quarters. All admission requirements must be completed by the deadline.  Deadlines are as follows:

  • Fall – April 15 (quarter begins in September) 
  • Winter – October 1 (quarter begins in January)

Admissions Requirements

Education

  • Baccalaureate degree or equivalent in nursing from an accredited institution.

Academic Performance 

  • Minimum GPA of 3.0, both cumulative and in nursing coursework.

Licensure

  • Current unencumbered United States RN license at the time of application.
  • California RN license must be obtained before the start of classes and maintained throughout the program.

Experience

  • Minimum of one year of full-time RN experience is required before matriculating into clinical courses (applies to most programs).

Certification

  • Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR) certification.

Recommendations

Two electronic recommendations following:

  • Required: Recent nurse manager or director
  • Additional may be either of the following:
    • Nursing peer
    • Spiritual advisor

Interview Process (if granted by the Admissions Committee)

  • Completion of the Emotional Intelligence Interview Process, which includes a meeting (in person or via Zoom) with the program coordinator and another Graduate Nursing Program faculty member.

Application Fee (NursingCAS and Secondary Application)

There are two fees associated with the application:

  • $70 for the initial NursingCAS application and a $50 secondary application fee.

Transcript Requirements

NursingCAS Applicants - Transcripts must be sent by the issuing institution(s) directly to NursingCAS. You must submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions that you have attended. This includes all colleges, universities, military credit, and unaccredited schools. Transcripts provided in any other manner are considered unofficial and will not be accepted for admission.

Returning LLU Applicant - If transcripts were previously sent to Loma Linda University prior to your NursingCAS application, please contact [email protected] with your full name, application term, program name, and a brief message requesting assistance with the transcript process.

Possible Careers

Primary Care AGPCNP Settings:

  • Primary care clinics and private practices
  • Geriatric clinics and practices
  • Chronic disease management programs
  • Long-term care facilities and nursing homes
  • Assisted living facilities
  • Memory care and dementia specialty clinics
  • Palliative care programs
  • Home health agencies
  • Urgent care centers
  • Retail health clinics

Specialized Practice Areas:

  • Cardiology (inpatient or outpatient)
  • Pulmonology/critical care
  • Nephrology and dialysis centers
  • Oncology and hematology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Orthopedics
  • Pain management
  • Wound care centers
  • Stroke and neurology programs

Non-Traditional Roles:

  • Telemedicine providers
  • Clinical research and trials
  • Healthcare administration
  • Nursing education and academia
  • Medical device/pharmaceutical companies
  • Insurance companies (case management, utilization review)
  • Quality improvement and patient safety roles
  • Forensic nursing
  • Correctional healthcare

Other Opportunities:

  • Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals
  • Indian Health Service
  • Travel AGNP positions
  • Locum tenens work
  • Independent consultation services

Course Structure/Format

Take charge of your learning with Loma Linda’s Hyperflex model. Enjoy the freedom of online learning—without sacrificing the in-person experiences that make you a confident, practice-ready nurse practitioner. Study remotely when life demands it, then join us on campus to refine the hands-on clinical skills that set Loma Linda graduates apart.

All DNP programs are offered in our Hyperflex format, blending online instruction with scheduled live sessions for real-time connection and collaboration. During each 11-week quarter, you can attend in person or online for select core courses—usually around mid-quarter (week 5).

View a sample schedule ›

Face-to-Face Course Structure

Our Hyperflex model combines the convenience of online learning with the irreplaceable value of face-to-face clinical mastery. Clinical/Lab/Simulation courses will be hybrid to allow students to have hands-on practice, preparing them for their clinical practice setting. Schedules will be provided to students for required meetings during the quarter in advance. This allows you to refine your practical expertise in person and graduate with exceptional skills that set you apart from other Advanced Practice Nurses.

NGRD 624 Advanced Health Assessment 4u
This course has mandatory synchronous lab meetings 4-6 meetings during the quarter. The schedule will be given in advance for planning.

All clinical and practicum courses

  1. Direct Clinical Hours: 630-750 hours, depending on the specialty.
    Students in the CNS and NP clinical courses will be assigned clinical rotations within Southern California (within a 90 mile radius of Loma Linda).
  2. DNP Project: The DNP Project can be done in the workplace, allowing students to collect evidence-based research data.

Sample Schedule
Full-time: 3 years, 9 months (15 academic quarters).
Part-time options are available.

Accreditations

Loma Linda University is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The BS, MS, and DNP Programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The Nurse Anesthesia Concentration is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.

Advanced practice nurse graduates, Nurse Practitioner (NP) and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), are certified by the State of California Board of Registered Nursing and eligible to apply for certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Corporation, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, as appropriate for the area of professional practice.The California State Board has approved all programs offered at the Loma Linda University School of Nursing. Many states may offer a compact license to individuals already licensed in California. If this opportunity is of interest to you, please contact your program director. Students who decide to pursue a license in another state should check with the applicable licensing authority in that state.

Our programs address and meet outcome expectations as articulated by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Master’s (AACN), and DNP Essentials.

Curriculum Plan & Sample Schedule

The Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) concentration at Loma Linda University prepares advanced practice nurses to deliver exceptional care to adult and elderly patients. The curriculum emphasizes primary care, preventive health, and the management of chronic and acute conditions for patients aged 18 and older. 

Coursework includes advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and clinical decision-making, with practical applications in community and ambulatory settings. Designed for flexibility, the program offers both full-time and part-time enrollment options, allowing you to tailor your studies to fit your professional and personal commitments. Whether you’re looking to fast-track your education or balance learning with work, LLU’s AGNP program provides the tools and training needed to make a meaningful impact in adult-gerontology care.

 

Adult/Gerontology Primary Care NP Sample Course Schedule (BS to DNP) — (full-time)
Loma Linda University - School of Nursing

Hyperflex Model: Most courses are remote. Blue-highlighted courses require on-campus sessions.
 

Reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions. We are here ready to help you.
This sample matrix is for illustration only. For the official course list and schedule, please refer to the Loma Linda University Catalog.

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Cost of Attendance

View Expected Cost of Attendance Here

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