Submitted by Andrew Steger on Fri, 02/04/2022 - 10:24
Family nurse practicioner talking to older couple

How to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner

With many states giving increasing autonomy to nurse practitioners, it’s no surprise that the world of nursing continues to evolve with each passing year. These changes also bring along more opportunities for growth within the profession.

One career path that many nurses are pursuing in recent years? Family nurse practitioner.

Family nurse practitioners (also known as FNPs) are a specific type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). FNPs complete a certain level of training and education in order to provide high quality, autonomous care to their patients. If you want to know more about this rewarding job, read on and learn how to become a family nurse practitioner!

 

 

What Does a Family Nurse Practitioner Do?

Before you choose this career path, it’s important to understand what a family nurse practitioner does. FNPs work in the field of family-oriented primary care. This means FNPs are trained to work with adult patients, as well as their children—and often continue treating the same patients for years at a time. The main goal of an FNP is to maintain patient health over the course of their life, by preventing disease and promoting wellness.

FNPs are similar to primary care physicians. The level of autonomy and scope of care of nurse practitioners varies by state, with each state setting its own rules and regulations around requirements for physician supervision.

Some of the most biggest responsibilities of an FNP include:1

  • Perform physical assessments

  • Diagnose medical conditions and illnesses

  • Create treatment plans for their patients that have stable acute and chronic conditions

  • Prescribe medication (in most states)

  • Provide health education and preventative care for patients

  • Perform in-office procedures such as suturing, incision and drainage

  • Write referrals for specialists

FNPs commonly work in a private practice setting, outpatient centers attached to major health systems, schools and n public health centers. With this understanding of what the position entails, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of becoming a family nurse practitioner.

Becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner

Now that you’re familiar with what an FNP does, it’s time to move on to the real question this article is intended to answer: How do you become one? Below we’ve outlined all of the necessary steps you’ll have to take in order to earn this coveted title. From nursing education to finding employment, here is everything you need to know about becoming a family nurse practitioner:

Education

All nursing jobs require a college degree, but FNPs have a more explicit set of educational qualifications. FNPs—and all types of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs)—can expect to spend several more years in school, compared to registered nurses. Let’s take a look at what this educational path will look like:

  • Associate or Undergraduate Degree – As with any career in nursing, you’ll need to start off by earning your associate or undergraduate degree first. This is a big step to becoming a registered nurse (RN) and ultimately pursuing a specialty as an FNP. There are three main options that nurses can choose from for their program:

  • Associate Degree in Nursing – An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is earned through a two year program at a community college or trade school. Although you can earn a nursing license with an ADN, graduates with this type of degree will need to obtain their bachelor of science in nursing degree r before they can pursue graduate education to become an FNP.

  • Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing – A Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) can be earned through a four year program at an accredited university. This online BSN program prepares students to gain their nursing license and go on to earn the graduate-level degrees needed for advanced practice nursing.

  • Accelerated BSN (ABSN) – For bachelor’s graduates who studied something other than nursing, an online accelerated BSN program is a great option. This degree program can typically be completed within 12-18 months, and allows non-nursing graduates to earn their new degree more quickly and begin the process of becoming a licensed RN.

Once you’ve completed the necessary degree program, you can move onto another important step in the process: licensure and certification.

Licensure and Certification

All nurses must complete the standard licensing procedures in order to practice in the healthcare field. Before you can specialize as an FNP, you’ll need to earn your license as a registered nurse (RN) following your undergraduate program. Here’s how you can obtain this:

  • NCLEX-RN – The NCLEX-RN is a national exam all actively working nurses must take. This exam uses computer adaptive testing to cover four main areas of nursing:2

  • Providing a safe and effective care environment

  • Health promotion and maintenance

  • Physiological integrity

  • Psychological integrity

  • Apply for your RN license – Passing the NCLEX-RN isn’t the end of the road when it comes to earning your RN license. After taking the exam, you’ll then apply to the state, which will grant you authority to take the NCLEX. This will typically involve sending in a form of ID, your transcripts from an accredited nursing program, and any fees associated with the application.

  • Graduate – In addition to your undergraduate degree, FNPs are required to earn a graduate-level education. A Master’s of Science in Nursing is the most common degree held by FNPs, and may be completed within two years. Some FNPs go on to earn their Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), in order to work in leadership FNP positions and earn higher salaries. Most DNP programs take around three to four years to complete at a full-time pace.3

After you’ve earned your license and completed the steps to becoming a registered nurse, the next phase of this process involves gaining credentials as a family nurse practitioner. FNPs can be certified through one of two boards in the United States:

  • AANP – The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) offers certification exams for family nurse practitioners, adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners, and emergency nurse practitioners. The FNP exam through this board will cover clinical knowledge across a patient’s lifespan, from prenatal to geriatric care.4

  • ANCC – The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is an organization that covers a wide range of nursing certifications—including the Family Nurse Practitioner board certification exam. This certificate must be renewed every five years, in order for FNPs to continue practicing.5

APRN licensure

After passing the certification exam, you will need to maintain RN licensure and apply for NP licensure in the state in which you plan to practice. Each state has its own licensing rules and requirements for maintaining licensure which often includes continuing education.

NP job training/orientation:

In addition to these standard FNP credentials, nurse practitioners can also pursue specialties through a fellowship or residency programs. Some of the most common specialties for NPs include:1

  • Endocrinology

  • Emergency medicine

  • Oncology

  • Cardiology

After earning the necessary credentials, licensed FNPs can move onto the final step in developing their career: hiring and training.

Hiring and Training

As a certified licensed FNP, the healthcare world is officially your oyster. The only thing left to do is find employment and begin the training process.

FNPs are trained to work work in primary care settings where patients are hemodynamically stableFNPs can find employment in a wide variety of healthcare facilities, including:6

  • Private practice

  • Community health centers

  • Urgent care clinics

  • Outpatient care facilities

  • Rehabilitation centers

  • Schools

Depending on the type of facility where you’ll be working, training procedures will look a bit different for every family nurse practitioner. In general, most FNPs can expect to learn the following procedures:1

  • Maintaining physical and electronic health records

  • Teamwork, communication, and leadership within your unit

  • Communicating with patients and their families

  • Infection control and safety procedures

Good Traits for FNPs to Have

Working as an FNP is a unique experience, and certain characteristics and skills can make this job easier and more fulfilling. If you possess any of the following traits, a career as an FNP may be the right fit for you:

  • Organized

  • Detail-oriented

  • Communicative

  • Empathetic

  • Good with children

  • Personable

How Much Do FNPs Make?

The average salary for a family nurse practitioner in the U.S. is about $94,232, although these figures can typically range between $79,000 and $117,000 per year. 1This is significantly higher than the average RN salary, which falls around $73,000 per year.7

Certain factors may contribute to an FNP’s salary, particularly their location. Below are some of the highest paying areas for nurse practitioners in the United States:8

  • California – $133,780 per year.

  • Alaska – $122,880 per year.

  • Massachusetts – $122,740 per year.

  • New Jersey – $122,100 per year.

  • New York – $120,970 per year.

  • Hawaii – $120,570 per year.

  • Minnesota – $119,160 per year.

The demand for FNPs is increasing with each year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In fact, the demand within this field is expected to grow by up to 45% throughout 2029.9 This data suggests that salaries and employment opportunities may evolve over the next decade in favor of FNPs.

Is Becoming an FNP Worth It?

Now that we’ve discussed the responsibilities, education, and licensure requirements for this nursing specialty, one question still remains: Is becoming an FNP worth it?

For many people, the answer is yes! As a family nurse practitioner, you can expect to earn a sizable salary, perform rewarding work, and form lasting relationships with your patients. When it comes to the healthcare field, becoming an FNP is a great option if you’re looking to branch out and increase your scope of care.

Although it may take a bit more education and training, working as an FNP is absolutely worth it in the long run.

 

 

Sources:

  1. Registered Nursing. Becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner. https://www.registerednursing.org/nurse-practitioner/fnp/
  2. Nurse Journal. 6 Things to Know About the NCLEX Exam. https://nursejournal.org/resources/nclex/things-to-know-about-the-nclex-exam/
  3. Nurse Practitioner Schools. What is a Family Nurse Practitioner? https://www.nursepractitionerschools.com/faq/what-is-family-np/
  4. AANPCert. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board. https://www.aanpcert.org
  5. Nursing World. Family Nurse Practitioner. https://www.nursingworld.org/our-certifications/family-nurse-practitioner/
  6. Walsh.edu. Where Can Family Nurse Practitioners Work? https://online.walsh.edu/news/where-can family-nurse-practitioners-work
  7. Nurse.org. Nurse Salaries 2021: How Much Do Nurses Make? https://nurse.org/education/how-much-do-nurses-make/
  8. Advisory. Map: Where Nurse Practitioners are Paid the Most—And the Least. https://www.advisory.com/en/daily-briefing/2019/11/22/nurse-salary
  9. BLS. Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm
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