If you are an RN seeking your next step, or a student new to nursing school with higher aspirations, you may have considered becoming a Nurse Practitioner; or more specifically, a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). What is an FNP? How do you become one? We’ll answer those questions, as well as give you the Family Nurse Practitioner job forecast to show you that not only is this a rewarding career to strive for, it’s a lucrative one, as well!
What is a Family Nurse Practitioner?
A Family Nurse Practitioner is an advanced practiced RN (registered nurse) who works with a variety of other practitioners (RNs, CNAs, MDs, DOs, MAs, and others)to provide health care to patients within a family medicine setting. They provide both direct care and healthcare counseling over the course of an individual’s lifespan.
Responsibilities include:
- Examining patients
- Diagnosing ailments
- Preventative medicine
- Treating patient illnesses
- Educating patients
- Prescribing medications
- Many other responsibilities pertaining to patient care.
Nurse Practitioners work in:
- Hospitals
- Schools (School Nurses)
- Nursing/rehab facilities
- Family practices
- Specialists’ offices
- Private practice
- Private, in-home health care
What Does An FNP Education Track Look Like?
FNPs have studied nursing at the graduate-level (Master’s or higher). They have been trained clinically in their specialty of family medicine. Because of this, they are able to diagnose patients and treat their ailments.
Master’s of Science in Nursing programs are tailored to the specialty that the advanced RN chooses to enter into post-graduation. This means that a student seeking to become an FNP will need to find a program with a concentration in family medicine or a related field.
After earning the degree, students must follow state guidelines to become a certified, licensed Family Nurse Practitioner in order to be hired and legally practice within their state. This includes but is not limited to passing board examinations.
Are There Family Nurse Practitioner Jobs?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, advanced practice registered nurses will potentially see the demand for other professionals in their field increase by 31% between 2014 and 2024. As of May 2015, Nurse Practitioners brought home a median annual salary of $104,740.00, equaling approximately $50.36 per hour!
Similar occupations that require the same level of education and share these salary and job outlook benefits are nurse practitioners in other specialties, certified nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists.
Related Resource: How Do You Become a Critical Care Nurse?
Rewarding Career
Do you enjoy helping people? Have you always wanted a career in healthcare? Why not strive for the top? Look into online and on-campus programs that offer entry-level and advanced degrees in the rewarding field of nursing! Nurses are some of the most sought after professionals in the working world. There are practically always jobs for certified nurses in any newspaper classified or job bank. Improve your little corner of the world today by becoming a family nurse practitioner.
