Nursing is one of the most rewarding and well-respected careers that a person can pursue, but many do not realize that it also offers great long-term prospects in terms of potential income and responsibility. Registered nurses (RNs) can continue to advance their education and skills to become family nurse practitioners (FNPs).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the nursing workforce will expand by around 12% between now and 2028. This is because the aging population will lead to greater demand not only for nurses, but for medical professionals who are able to provide advanced primary care. In addition, as medical services are under increasing pressure to provide higher-quality healthcare and budgets are being cut all over the country, the need for family nurse practitioners is only going to increase.
If you are considering pursuing a career in nursing and are interested in progressing onto the level of a family nurse practitioner, this guide will help you to understand what is involved in terms of training and long-term career prospects.
What is a family nurse practitioner?
A family nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse who can perform the same duties as a primary healthcare provider to patients of all ages, backgrounds, and in various settings. In many states, a family nurse practitioner has the same authority and responsibilities as a doctor, meaning that they can diagnose patients and prescribe medication or treatment. Family nurse practitioners are also heavily involved in educating the local community on healthy living and the prevention of disease and illness. Family nurse practitioners can care for patients of any age, and because they are primary care providers they can build significant relationships with patients in their community during their careers. Family nurse practitioners can earn much higher salaries than registered nurses.
What do family nurse practitioners do?
Family nurse practitioners, as their title suggests, will care for entire families, from tiny infants to seniors, and they work closely with their patients. A family nurse practitioner is usually based in a community where they can make a real difference to their patients’ health and wellbeing, from educating people about healthy living and disease prevention to diagnosing and treating injuries or illnesses. This includes carrying out examinations, ordering laboratory tests and procedures, prescribing medications or other treatments, taking part in minor surgical procedures, making referrals to other professionals when appropriate, and the promotion of preventative care.
To be an effective family nurse practitioner, nurses must be comfortable working independently but will also need to work in collaboration with other medical professionals. This requires exceptional soft skills, e.g., communication and teamwork, as well as personal qualities such as empathy and a desire to help others.
During an average day, a family nurse practitioner will perform many of the same tasks and duties as a family doctor, i.e., they will see patients according to an appointment schedule. Before the appointment they will look at the patient’s notes to familiarize themselves with their background. During the appointment they will conduct exams, ask questions, possibly diagnose a condition, prescribe treatment, or plan further investigation and testing.
The most successful family nurse practitioners are those who spend time getting to know their patients as individuals and building up a rapport. It is also important to establish trust and open communication so that patients feel comfortable and are more likely to be candid. Family nurse practitioners can then provide the best possible advice and care, and, if they stay in the same location, will get to know patients as they develop throughout their lives.
Whether family nurse practitioners can carry out the same tasks as a doctor such as prescribing medication varies depending on which state they are working in. Some family nurse practitioners have complete authority over their practice while others require varying levels of supervision.
Can a family nurse practitioner specialize in a particular field?
Becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) is different to becoming a family nurse practitioner, as NPs tend to focus on one age group of patients such as pediatric or geriatric, or they will specialize in a particular area of care such as psychiatric, neonatal, or orthopedic care.
A family nurse practitioner, however, has a much wider scope in terms of the people and the conditions they treat. Family nurse practitioners can choose to work across many specialties including oncology, surgery, dermatology, or cardiology.
Where can a family nurse practitioner work?
Family nurse practitioners can work in wide range of healthcare settings so there is plenty of opportunity for family nurse practitioners to work in numerous places during their careers. Being an FNP means working alone and with others depending on the needs of the patient and the structure of the healthcare setting. An FNP might work in a hospital, private practice, clinic, health center, hospice, schools or colleges, or in patients’ homes. Family nurse practitioners are in demand in rural areas where healthcare provision is more scarce. Doctors are in in short supply, and family nurse practitioners are being called upon to bridge the gap by providing preventative care as they can work independently. Family nurse practitioners are not just valued in the practical application of medicine, but also in the fields of education, policy, and administration.
How much could a family nurse practitioner earn?
One of the main attractions to a career as an FNP is often the salary, as FNPs earn significantly more than registered nurses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for registered nurses was $73,300 per year in May 2019, whereas the average salary for an FNP was $115,800, rising to approximately $152,000 (or higher) for the top 10%.
However, it is important to note that earning potential varies depending on the state in which the FNP is working, and that this should be weighed against local living costs. When looking for a position, consider any additional benefits that the employer is offering such as health insurance, educational support, and pensions.
Becoming an family nurse practitioner
It is not possible to become an FNP without years of study, hard work, and commitment, as it takes approximately 8-10 years to reach that level. The first stage is to achieve a bachelor of science degree in nursing which takes around 4 years, or to study for a master’s which takes about 5 years. With a degree in nursing in hand, the next stage is to become licensed and to work as a registered nurse for at least 2-3 years. When you have the required experience, you can study for a master’s or doctorate in nursing, which take 2-3 years to complete. Graduates can then become certified as an FNP by an accredited body.
There are several routes to training as an FNP, many of which are designed to fit around busy lifestyles and work commitments. For example, many high-quality nursing degrees and training courses can be completed part-time and/or online from home to enable registered nurses to continue to work while furthering their education. The route to becoming qualified is as follows:
- Train as a registered nurse
The first task is to train as a registered nurse (RN) by completing an accredited course at a university or college. The two main options are the associate degree in nursing and the bachelor of science degree in nursing. While the associate degree can be completed in less time, employers generally prefer their nurses to have completed their bachelor’s degree and this often leads to higher salaries and a more straightforward path to becoming an FNP.
- Become licensed to practice as a registered nurse
When you have completed your degree, you will need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) which is a nationwide exam that all nurses must take in order to become a licensed nurse in the US and Canada. Passing the NCLEX means that you are officially a licensed registered nurse and can practice in your licensing state.
- Get some experience as a registered nurse
Even if you are sure that you want to progress to become an FNP, you should not rush straight into advanced training before gaining some years of experience as a working registered nurse. You should look at the early years of your career as your opportunity to build up experience in a wide range of settings, to meet a lot of patients of every age and background, to work in lots of different medical professionals, and to discover which specialties (if any) you would be interested in pursuing as a practitioner.
- Advance your nursing education
After a few years of invaluable experience as a nurse, the next step on the path to becoming an FNP is to complete a master’s or FNP doctorate degree, again through an accredited provider. These courses can be completed either in the traditional way of attending seminars and lectures on a campus, or you might choose to study online on your own timetable. Both routes will cover the key skills and knowledge you will need to take your skills to the next level as an FNP. Advanced degree courses require coursework and research, and cover family nursing, mental health, leadership skills, and chronic, acute, and episodic illnesses. Students must complete both theoretical and practical clinical elements to complete their degree.
- Get your certification
The final stage of training to become an FNP is to become certified by taking an exam. There are two options: the FNP-C or the FNP-BC certification. They are organized by different certification boards and focus on different topics, so it is advisable to find out which certification your state’s board of nursing prefers. The exams are completed online and to take it a nurse needs to have an active license in a US state, a master’s, or a doctoral degree (which has been accredited by either the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing). They also need to have completed a minimum of 500 supervised clinical hours and relevant courses in advanced physiology, pathophysiology, health assessment, and pharmacology.
- Find a family nurse practitioner position
Now you are a fully qualified FNP, it is time to find a job. Hospitals have their own job boards and healthcare recruitment agencies may be able to kickstart your search, but the internet is often the most lucrative source of potential employment opportunities. Career websites, social media, and professional organizations will have their own websites. If you have successfully networked during your career and/or education to date, you may well know people who can help you to identify job openings. If you are feeling confident, you might want to go about setting up your own private practice.
- Continue to learn and re-certify
To stay on top of the latest developments in medical research, medication, treatments, and technology, family nurse practitioners must re-certify every 5 years. They also need to maintain their nursing license with their state board. Each certification organization has its own requirements in terms of fees that must be paid and criteria that must be met, so it is important to stay on top of these requirements to ensure you can re-certify in good time.
Interested in becoming a family nurse practitioner?
Becoming an FNP means taking an active and essential role in the community and making a tangible difference to the lives of people at every stage of their lives. FNPs are there for people when they are most in need and play a pivotal role in helping others to live the healthiest lives that they can. Family nurse practitioners face challenges and problems to be solved every day, and their job is certainly not easy. However, alongside the long hours and the physical, mental, and emotional demands come daily rewards and the knowledge that you are enhancing people’s lives. Add in the higher salary, and aiming to become an FNP is a fantastic career choice.
Having read about becoming a family nurse practitioner, it is time to take your research one step further. You can do this by visiting the Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (JAANP), or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners websites. It is also advisable to reach out to qualified family nurse practitioners in the middle (or at the end) of their careers. They will be best placed to explain the challenges and realities of being an FNP, as well as what they enjoy about their careers. They may also be able to provide helpful advice as to how you can get started and where to begin your studies. You could also get in touch with a hospital in your region to see if they have any career fairs, advisors, or counselors who could answer your questions and help you to make up your mind.