The role of a family nurse practitioner includes both primary care for patients and leadership within a department, enabling skilled nurses to influence and guide a nursing staff. Family nurse practitioners are advanced nurses with the expertise and management skills needed to deliver state-of-the-art medical intervention and assistance in family practice, making the role highly desired and in growing demand.
With this guide, you’ll learn more about this flexible career path that offers advanced practice opportunities, increased salary potential and the ability to positively influence the lives of patients and their families. You’ll also discover how to complete family nurse practitioner education requirements in St. Thomas University’s (STU) online Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner program and how this innovative program prepares you for FNP certification.
What Is a Family Nurse Practitioner?
A family nurse practitioner is an advanced practice nurse who is highly trained to care for patients of all ages, ranging from infants to elders. They work in family practice settings, including health clinics, hospitals and private physician practices, and provide holistic, family-centered care as part of a comprehensive medical team.
Some responsibilities of a family nurse practitioner may include:
- Diagnosing and treating acute and chronic illnesses
- Administering medication and vaccinations
- Ordering, performing and screening medical tests
- Educating patients and their families about healthcare options
- Following up with patients after their care
In addition, FNPs are responsible for providing leadership in their departments and offices. They often supervise registered nurses (RNs) or nurses with bachelor’s degrees in nursing science (BSNs) and collaborate with physicians to provide well-rounded care.
Education Requirements for FNPs
If becoming a family nurse practitioner is one of your nursing career goals, knowing the family nurse practitioner education requirements is your first step. Like other NPs, FNPs need RN licensure, a BSN and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). However, family nurse practitioners typically earn an MSN with an FNP specialization, enabling them to care for multiple populations within the family unit.
In an MSN FNP program, family nurse practitioner candidates complete rigorous coursework that combines nursing techniques and managerial skills. They’re also required to perform a minimum number of clinic practice hours in their degree program, which they do under the supervision of a nurse educator. In addition, FNPs must complete their school’s training requirements and earn family nurse practitioner certification from nursing boards, such as the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), before they apply for jobs in their desired role.
How to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner
Becoming a family nurse practitioner is a rewarding and impactful way to advance your nursing career. However, the duties of an FNP require both extensive nursing experience and advanced nursing education, so you’ll need to complete the necessary steps before stepping into this critical position.
- Become a registered nurse through an RN or BSN program.
- Gain at least one year of nursing experience in several different settings, such as various hospital departments or private clinics. (More than one year is usually preferable.)
- Apply for an MSN FNP program.
- Once accepted, complete the required coursework and clinic practice hours to graduate from the degree program.
- Become certified by a family nurse practitioner professional organization.
- Apply for an FNP role in your desired workplace.
Family nurse practitioners also engage in professional development throughout their careers, including additional certification programs and specialized training. They may also join family nurse practitioner professional organizations, like the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or the National Association of Family Nurse Practitioners (NAFNP), to make connections and continue their educational opportunities after graduation.
Career Paths and Salary Potential
There are many nursing career paths available to certified FNPs. From nurse managers to clinic and community health roles, family nurse practitioners find their skills and expertise in high demand throughout the healthcare field. They will also find opportunities for teaching, mentorship and leadership roles in advanced practice nursing settings.
In 2024, the median salary for nurse practitioners and family nurse practitioners salary was $132,050. Compared to the median salary of licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) at $62,340 and registered nurses at $93,600 in the same year, the salary potential for FNPs is between 30% to 50% higher than other nursing positions.
Why Choose an Online MSN FNP Program at STU?
Family nurse practitioners who graduate from STU’s MSN FNP program are prepared to meet the challenges of today’s healthcare industry. With high-quality instruction from experienced faculty and personalized mentorship from STU’s support staff, nursing students readily meet the requirements of certification and licensure for a role as a family nurse practitioner.
STU’s family nurse practitioner online program is flexible for working nurses balancing career and study, and affordable for students seeking an alternative to brick-and-mortar nursing schools. The nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensuring that students receive an exemplary education that’s transferable across institutions. STU passes its commitment to healthcare leadership and service to its students, who go on to positively affect generations of patients throughout their successful nursing careers.
Begin Your Career Journey Toward an FNP Position Today
With the potential for higher salary and the chance to provide the highest possible care to their patients, a family nurse practitioner career path is the right choice for nurses ready to advance in their careers. These highly trained professionals are influential leaders and innovative caregivers on a patient’s medical team, making them highly desirable additions to a physician’s practice or hospital staff.
Flexible, affordable programs, like St. Thomas University’s online Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner, ensure that schedule and cost are never barriers to good nurses becoming great FNPs. Learn more about the degree program by contacting the admissions office today.
