What Is a Family Nurse Practitioner?
A family nurse practitioner, or FNP, is a highly educated registered nurse who provides primary or specialty care for patients of all ages. These advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) typically work under a physician but with a high degree of autonomy and, in some cases, have their private practices. They provide most of the same services a doctor provides and are the primary source of care for many patients. FNPs conduct health exams, provide health education, diagnose illnesses, and prescribe medication, among many other tasks.
How to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner
Family nurse practitioners undergo extensive educational training, including completing a Master's degree in nursing. Due to the broad nature of the position, they typically complete a variety of courses in epidemiology, pharmacology, health policy, and more. FNPs must be excellent at critical thinking and have superb communication skills to succeed in the role.
Most FNP job descriptions include the following requirements and skills:
- Experience with electronic health records
- Ability to work effectively in a team setting, providing relationship-based care
- Well-organized and detail-oriented with the ability to establish relationships with coworkers, patients, and the public
- Emotional intelligence and critical thinking skills
- Effective oral and written communication skills and excellent interpersonal skills
- ACLS, BLS, or CPR certified
To search and apply for open family nurse practitioner positions, visit our job boards.
What Are the Education Requirements for Family Nurse Practitioners?
Most FNPs first earn a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, then take and pass the NCLEX-RN to become a licensed RN. Once this is completed, a Master's degree (MSN) is necessary to land a job as an FNP. Many schools have MSN programs designed explicitly for Family Nurse Practitioners that take 1-3 years to complete. Experience as an RN is mandatory, and knowledge of specialized equipment such as nebulizers or cardiac monitoring devices is a plus.
See a complete list of available FNP programs, post master’s FNP graduate certificate programs, RN to NP programs.
Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?
Certification as a family nurse practitioner is offered through both the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). These exams usually require an RN to be a graduate of an accredited graduate, post-graduate, or doctoral level FNP program. The test covers a wide range of medical topics, including informatics, research methodology, illness and disease management, and more. Upon passing the exam, a nurse is awarded the credential Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified, or FNP-BC. This credential is valid for 5 years and then must be renewed.
Family Nurse Practitioner FAQs
In school, students who choose the FNP program track have more wiggle-room when it comes to further subspecializing as they have a broad range of knowledge from different age groups as well as health care foci (i.e. women’s health).
One way FNPs can further their clinical skills is by choosing mentors in specialty areas while in school. All nurse practitioners must complete a set number of supervised clinical practice before graduating, and finding a care area they are interested in will help develop specialized skills.
Some schools even offer subspecialty education. For example, Columbia University offers NP students an Oncology subspecialty track. However, students should find out which tracks offer these courses - sometimes they are not open to those in the FNP track.
Another way nurse practitioners can further their skills is through nurse practitioner fellowship and residency programs. These programs are usually run by healthcare organizations and include “extensions” of NP program specialties, but also include more specialized care areas such as:
- Surgery
- Endocrinology
- Emergency medicine
- Oncology
- Cardiology
FNPs should be aware that each state is different regarding licensing and credentialing, so this should be checked before pursuing specialty practice.
Where Do Family Nurse Practitioners Work?
A family nurse practitioner can be employed in various healthcare settings and clinics, as they provide many advanced medical services across the lifespan. They are extremely valuable since they can perform many of the tasks that physicians usually handle. In fact, in many rural areas where there aren’t enough doctors to serve the community, FNPs fill the role of primary care provider. Due to their advanced medical knowledge and clinical experience, FNPs sometimes go on to careers as hospital administrators.
FNPs are commonly employed in the following settings:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Private practice physicians’ offices
- Outpatient facilities
- Public/community health centers
- Health insurance companies
- Telemedicine
What Does a Family Nurse Practitioner Do?
Family nurse practitioners see patients of all ages for various medical ailments, from mild illnesses to severe conditions. They stress prevention and wellness but have the medical expertise to diagnose and prescribe medication. FNPs are expected to communicate clearly and effectively with patients and other healthcare providers, be analytical and decisive, and, above all else, provide accurate, compassionate care. Many FNPs develop lasting relationships with their patients and see them throughout their lives, from childhood to adulthood and beyond, and may even care for multiple family members. Each state has its guidelines and regulations for what duties an FNP is allowed to complete, so these nurses can work independently or under the supervision of a physician, depending on which state he or she is located in.
RELATED: The States with the Largest Nursing Shortages
What Are the Roles and Duties of a Family Nurse Practitioner?
- Perform medical exams
- Examine medical histories
- Develop treatment plans
- Diagnose illnesses or diseases
- Run diagnostic tests and evaluations
- Educate patients on prevention methods and general health and wellness
- Perform or assist with minor procedures
- Manage and oversee patient care
- Maintain patient records
- Prescribe/administer medication
- Act as a primary care point of contact for patients (especially in underserved or rural settings)
- Collaborate with and work alongside other care providers, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, healthcare administrators, and more
- Make referrals to specialists as needed
Family Nurse Practitioner Salary & Employment
According to PayScale, the average annual salary for a family nurse practitioner as of 2024 lands at around $103,885. Salaries can range from approximately $86,000 to upwards of $129,000 per year. The biggest contributors to FNP salaries are geographical location, type of employer, and the individual nurse’s level of experience (including any additional certifications or credentials held).
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment outlook for FNPs is favorable, and growth is slated at 38% by 2032. The increasing emphasis on preventive care and the aging population’s high demand for healthcare services make FNPs sought-after healthcare providers. The salary and potential to develop lifelong relationships with patients make it a rewarding career choice.
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