Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Career
What Do You Do in This Career?
Nurse Practitioners can specialize in many areas, one of which is providing health care to entire families. Like family doctors, family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are trained to provide care to all ages, from mother-to-be to baby to grandfather. They promote disease prevention and can diagnose and plan treatments for most illnesses. FNPs specialize in having a wide range of knowledge; instead of narrowing their scope, they expand it, although the focus is on preventive care. The job is flexible and autonomous, and many FNPs work in private offices, clinics, schools and even homes. Since nurses are less expensive than doctors, nurse practitioners who can care for such a wide range of patients will be in high demand.
Salary and Career Information
- Salary: FNP salaries range between $62,398 and $97,929 depending on where you practice, your education and experience, and the type of facility you work in. NPs can also earn more if they decide to specialize in a particular area.
- FNP Requirements: FNPs are required to first be registered nurses (RNs) as well as earn a master’s degree or higher. Additional coursework may be required to become an FNP, and you must also pass the National Board certification.
- Work Environment: FNPs work in a range of settings such as hospitals, physicians’ offices, community health centers, clinics, and nursing homes. Some FNPs maybe even travel to patients’ homes to treat them.
What Kind of Coursework Can You Expect in This Program?
Nurse practitioner programs that offer a specialization in family practice nursing will include coursework in diagnosing and treating common illnesses, as well as how to teach patients about health and preventive services. FNPs also have to know clinical skills such as taking patient history, performing physical exams, and health screenings. Nursing issues and ethics, research, health policy, and theory are also covered. FNPs should have a good understanding of health care for patients of all ages.
Earn an Online Nurse Practitioner Degree
A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who holds a graduate-level degree. While in most states RNs currently need only a Master of Science in nursing (MSN) degree to become nurse practitioners, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has proposed that the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) be the minimum requirement for all advanced practice nurses by 2015. Listed below are the best online colleges offering accredited MSN and DNP degrees.
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Georgetown University — The Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies offers two online Master of Science in nursing degrees. The MS in family nurse practitioner program prepares students for careers as family nurses. The MS in midwifery / women's health nurse practitioner program perpares students for careers as nurse practitioners who specialize as midwives and caring for female patients. |
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Kaplan University — The MSN nurse administration, nurse education, and nurse informatics degree programs from Kaplan allows nurses with bachelor's degrees to take their careers to the next level. Students of these programs will learn advanced nursing theory, health policy, evidence-based decision making, financing, and more. |
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University of Phoenix — The Master of Science in nursing for nurse practitioners from the University of Phoenix is a flexible online program from an accredited school. Students will learn advanced nursing skills, finance, change management, and evidence-based nursing research. Upon completion, graduates will be well prepared to advance their nursing careers. MSN specialties are offered in health education and health informatics. Dual degrees (MSN + MBA and MSN + MHA) are also available. |
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American Sentinel University — American Sentinel University offers a basic RN to MSN degree, as well as several specializations within this program, including case management, infection prevention and control, management and organizational leadership, and nursing informatics. Graduates of these programs will all have a fundamental understanding of health and illness and will be able to provide direct care to individuals, families, and groups with a variety of health needs. |
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University of Cincinnati — The MS in nursing degree program with a specialization in women's health practice offered online by the University of Cincinnati is geared toward nursing students wanting to receive expert training on women's health issues. Cincinnati also offers many other nurse practitioner degree programs, including MSN specialties in clinical nursing, nurse midwifery, and psychiatric & mental health nursing. |
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