Family Nurse Practitioner Career Overview | Nursejournal.org (2024)

What Does a Family Nurse Practitioner Do?

MSN required

certification optional

Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) provide primary care for patients at all life stages, often in collaboration with healthcare teams. While FNPs prioritize preventative care, they can also treat serious illnesses. Other responsibilities may include ordering and interpreting lab tests, diagnosing patients, and managing treatment plans. Whether an FNP online program or an in-person one, FNP coursework focuses on these topics:

Where Do FNPs Work?

FNPs can work in nearly any healthcare facility, including hospitals, urgent care establishments, or emergency rooms. However, nearly 14.5% of FNPs work in hospital outpatient departments, while 13.3% work in inpatient areas in hospitals.

• Hospitals

  FNPs conduct checkups, order tests, and treat illnesses; they also perform procedures or assist in them, both surgical and bedside.

• Private Practice

  FNPs record patient health history, observe and assess symptoms, and prescribe medication.

• Internal Medicine Clinic

  FNPs perform exams, treat illnesses and injuries, and prescribe medication.

Why Become an FNP?

Prospective FNPs should explore what this specialty offers before enrolling in a program. The lists below look at the career path's common advantages and disadvantages.

How to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner

Certification Options for FNPs

FNPs do not need additional certifications to practice. However, certifications allow FNPs to establish a competitive advantage in the field and specialize in certain conditions.

Careers Related to FNP

How Much Do Family Nurse Practitioners Make?

Licensed FNPs enter a growing field that offers lucrative opportunities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a projected 45% increase in employment through 2029. Geographic location also plays a part in earning potential. States with the highest job growth rates include Arizona, Colorado, and Georgia.

FNPs should also note that multiple factors influence compensation. For instance, the 2019 AANP Compensation Overview indicates that nearly 70% of nurse practitioners hold salaried jobs, while the remaining hold hourly positions. Specialty areas also influence earning potential, and FNPs can earn $114,000 on average.

Frequently Asked Questions About FNPs

How long does it take to become an FNP?

Earning an FNP license can require 2-5 years depending on a student's education level. For instance, ADN-holders do not complete the liberal arts portion of a BSN and may want to consider bridge programs. RNs with a BSN can apply directly to MSN programs.

Can FNPs prescribe medicine?

While nurse practitioners can prescribe medication, they must follow state regulations. Certain states require FNPs to establish an agreement with collaborating physicians, while other states offer full prescriptive authority. States may also require a probationary period during which FNPs collaborate with a physician.

How much does an FNP make in a year?

Many factors influence FNP earning potential, including geographic location, salaried positions versus hourly positions, and the type of healthcare organization practitioners work in. For instance, FNPs managing their own practice may earn more than practitioners working in clinics. However, FNPs earn about $98,490 on average, according to Payscale in August 2022.

What is the difference between a physician and an FNP?

FNPs face increasing responsibilities, allowing them to perform many of the same duties as physicians. However, physicians spend more time training, which gives them more authority. Physicians get licensure from a medical board, while FNPs get their license from a nursing board.

Resources for Family Nurse Practitioners

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners

  AANP exists to improve the quality of healthcare through education, practice, and research. FNPs gain access to a vast network with over 118,000 members. Other membership benefits include free continuing education credits and free access to the Journal of American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Members also qualify for scholarships and grants.

• The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties

  The NONPF promotes cutting-edge education and resources for nurse practitioners. Member benefits include discounted rates for conferences, webinars, and Fitzgerald publications. NONPF also provides a free career center listing each year. Online resources include archives, papers, newsletters, and a simulation portal.

• American Nurses Association

  Established in 1896, ANA supports RNs by advocating for medicare reform, workplace safety, and reimbursem*nt for healthcare services. Members can access free webinars, continuing education credits, and a career center. The association also hosts online forums, conferences, and state-level meetings.

• National Black Nurse Practitioner Association

  Founded in 2010, the NBNPA primarily works with practitioners in Houston and the surrounding areas to improve healthcare-related disparities in underserved communities. NBNPA membership includes networking opportunities, discounted AANP membership, continuing education courses, and access to monthly meetings. Members can also access a career center and scholarship opportunities.

• State Nurses Associations

  State nurses associations offer a powerful platform that protects members and strives to advance the nursing field. Core values include social responsibility, integrity, and collaboration. FNPs can access continuing education credits, career guidance, grants and scholarships, and weekly updates on important trending topics on the website.

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