| Reviewed by Kimberly Kelly-Cortez (Ph.D., M.S.Ed, MBA, CNE, NPD-BC), Senior Associate Dean and Director of Programs-Health, Leavitt School of Health. |
OVERVIEW
What is a Family Nurse Practitioner?
Family nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses (APRNs) that are qualified to provide a wide range of healthcare services to individuals and families of all ages—from infants to the elderly. They’re trained to treat illness and injuries, as well as teach people about disease prevention and healthy lifestyle habits. Family nurse practitioners need an Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and nurse practitioner (NP) license in order to practice.
Family nurse practitioners differ from other types of nurse practitioners because of their more generalized role. Most nurse practitioners specialize in younger or older patients, mental health, or acute care. Family nurse practitioners have a more general specialization and are able to work with patients of all ages.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Family Nurse Practitioner Do?
The role of a family nurse practitioners is similar to a primary care physician in that they have many important responsibilities in a healthcare setting, including:
- Creating health plans and collaborating with teams
- Diagnosing patients and communicating health information
- Ordering and interpreting lab diagnostics and tests
- Prioritizing preventative care and treating serious illness
- Performing exams and checkups for various health problems
- Prescribing medications and consulting with doctors
- Assisting with minor procedures and overseeing care
- Maintaining patient records and making referrals
- Educating patients on health and wellness
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Family Nurse Practitioner?
There are several education and certification steps you’ll need to take to become a family nurse practitioner.
Step #1 Become a registered nurse.
You can do this by attending a nursing diploma program, an associate degree program, or a bachelor’s degree program. This schooling will give you all the critical knowledge and skills you’ll need on the job. After finishing your education, you’ll need to accrue clinical hours and take the NCLEX-RN. If you pass the exam, you’ll be able to become licensed.
If you’re currently an RN, you’ll need to earn a BSN to move toward the next step in becoming a family nurse practitioner. You can pursue an RN-to-BSN program that will allow you to use your experience and knowledge as a nurse to accelerate through your degree program, while also giving you valuable insight and knowledge you’ll need.
Step #2 Enroll in a master's nursing program.
If you already have your BSN, you can move directly to your MSN program. WGU offers an MSN family nurse practitioner program that allows you to earn your degree as well as an FNP specialization that prepares you to sit for a certification exam. FNP programs are typically quite rigorous, and involve coursework in both advanced nursing topics and family medical care.
Whatever MSN program you choose, you’ll need to make sure it’s accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Step #3 Complete clinicals.
Whether you earn your degree on-campus or online, all accredited FNP programs require students to complete a certain number of clinical hours.
Step #4 Pass the certification exam.
There are certification exams available from the American Nurses' Credentialing Center and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. There are fees and an exam associated with either credentialing body. Passing your FNP certification exam and then obtaining your state-based license is the final step for becoming a nurse practitioner.
Step #5 Keep learning.
Because nurses work at the forefront of the medical field, it’s crucial to stay current on matters of healthcare—from the latest technology to newly published medical trials to breakthroughs in drugs and treatments. Participating in continuing education throughout your career makes this happen.
Best Degrees for a Family Nurse Practitioner
Health & Nursing
Nursing (Prelicensure) – B.S.
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a...
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a baccalaureate-prepared nurse:
- Locations: Due to in-person clinical requirements, students must be full time residents of Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin to enroll in this program. The coursework in this program is offered online, but there are in-person requirements.
- Tuition: $8,755 per 6-month term for the first 4 terms of pre-nursing coursework and $8,755 per 6-month term for the remaining 4 terms of clinical nursing coursework.
- Time: This program has a set pace and an expected completion time of 4 years. Certain coursework may be accelerated to finish faster.
- WGU offers the prelicensure program in areas where we have partnerships with healthcare employers to provide practice sites and clinical coaches to help teach you and inspire you on your path to becoming a nurse.
- If you don't live in one of our prelicensure states or don't qualify to apply, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also working directly with patients who need help.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Community Health
- Women's and Children's Nursing
- Pathology
- Physiology
- Research
Health & Nursing
Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN-to-MSN) – M.S. Nursing
This program for BSNs who have an active, unencumbered RN license prepares...
This program for BSNs who have an active, unencumbered RN license prepares you to become a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner.
- Locations: Due to the clinical requirements of this degree program, the FNP is currently NOT available to students who have a permanent residence in the following states: California, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington.
- Time: It takes 2.5 years to complete the coursework and clinical components of this degree program.
- Tuition: $6,850 per six-month term.
- Courses: 16 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Leadership and Management
- Adult Primary Care
- Pediatric Primary Care
- Special Populations Primary Care
- Advanced Health Assessment
Students must have a permanent and active license from a state that is not listed above, must complete the internships in that state, and intend to obtain initial APRN licensure in that state. See more state-specific information related to nursing licensure. Compact licenses must be endorsed by your state of residence. More about compact licenses.
Health & Nursing
Family Nurse Practitioner – Post-Master's Certificate
This is a program for individuals who already have an MSN and are looking...
This is a program for individuals who already have an MSN and are looking to now become a family nurse practitioner with a post-master's certificate program.
- Locations: Due to the clinical requirements of this degree program, the FNP is currently NOT available to students who have a permanent residence in the following states: Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington.
- Time: This program can be finished within 1.5 years, depending on transfer credit and how quickly you move through core coursework. Please note the clinical components of this program are set.
- Tuition: $6,850 per six-month term.
- Courses: 10 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Pediatric Primary Care
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Adult Primary Care
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Special Populations Primary Care
Students must have a permanent and active license from a state that is not listed above, must complete the internships in that state, and intend to obtain initial APRN licensure in that state. See more state-specific information related to nursing licensure. Compact licenses must be endorsed by your state of residence. More about compact licenses.
Health & Nursing
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN-to-MSN) – M.S. Nursing
This program for BSNs who have an active, unencumbered RN license prepares...
This program for BSNs who have an active, unencumbered RN license prepares you to become a board-certified Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
- Locations: Due to the clinical requirements of this degree program, the PMHNP program at WGU is currently NOT open to students who have a permanent residence in the following states: Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin.
- Time: It takes 2.5 years to complete the coursework and clinical components of this degree program.
- Tuition and fees: $6,955 per six-month term.
- Courses: 17 total courses in this program.
This program is for current RNs who have earned their BSN and are ready to move forward in their career. This MSN program prepares students to become licensed as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in select states.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Assessment and Diagnostics
- Behavioral health
- Advanced Pharmacology
Students must have a permanent and active license from a state that is not listed above, must complete the internships in that state, and intend to obtain initial APRN licensure in that state. See more state-specific information related to nursing licensure. Compact licenses must be endorsed by your state of residence. More about compact licenses.
Health & Nursing
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Post-Master's Certificate
This program is for current RNs who already have earned an MSN and are...
This program is for current RNs who already have earned an MSN and are wanting to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through a post-master's certificate program.
- Locations: Due to the clinical requirements of this degree program, the PMHNP post-master's certificate program at WGU is currently NOT open to students who have a permanent residence in the following states: Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin.
- Time: This program can be finished within 1.5 years, depending on transfer credit and how quickly you move through core coursework. Please note the clinical components of this program are set.
- Tuition and fees: $6,955 per six-month term.
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program.
This program is for current RNs who have earned their MSN but are wanting to add a specilization to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. This post-master's certificate program is only available in select states.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Assessment and Diagnostics
- Behavioral health
- Advanced Pharmacology
Students must have a permanent and active license from a state that is not listed above, must complete the internships in that state, and intend to obtain initial APRN licensure in that state. See more state-specific information related to nursing licensure. Compact licenses must be endorsed by your state of residence. More about compact licenses.
How Much Does a Family Nurse Practitioner Make?
$121,000
The average salary for family nurse practitioners is about $121,880 per year, but can range between $105,000 and $141,000. This can vary based on several factors, including the location where you work, education, certifications, additional skills, and your experience level. There’s a higher salary expectation for family nurse practitioners because of the additional schooling and certification needed for this role.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
40%
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports employment of nurse practitioners is projected to grow 40% from now until 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. The highest growth rates are in Arizona, Georgia, and Colorado.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Family Nurse Practitioner Need?
There are many characteristics and traits that can make a registered nurse a great family nurse practitioner. Some of those skills include:
- Strong organization
- Compassionate communication
- Ethical decision-making
- High capacity for empathy
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
- Ability to work with all ages
- Calm demeanor under pressure
- Skill with diagnostics and tests
- Attention to detail
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