Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Last Updated On Oct 3, 2024

12 Min Read

What is a Family Nurse Practitioner?

A family nurse practitioner, or FNP, is a highly educated registered nurse who provides primary or specialty care for patients of all ages. These advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) typically work under a physician but with a high degree of autonomy and, in some cases, have their private practices. They provide most of the same services a doctor provides and are the primary source of care for many patients. FNPs conduct health exams, provide health education, diagnose illnesses, and prescribe medication, among many other tasks.

Overview of FNP Education Requirements

The first step to becoming a family nurse practitioner is enrolling in an FNP degree program and getting licensed. Here is a general overview of what you need to know:

Education	Details
Educational Requirements	Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Certifications	FNP-BC (Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified), FNP-C (Family Nurse Practitioner-Certified)
Licensing	State RN license, FNP certification recognized by the state board
Continuing Education	Required for maintaining certification, State-specific CEUs, Specialty-specific training

Overview of FNP Careers

What to know what to expect in your new career as an FNP? Check out these quick stats:

Employment	Details
Role Description	An APRN who provides comprehensive healthcare to individuals and families across all ages, genders, diseases, and body systems
Work Settings	Private practices, specialty clinics, hospitals, and community health centers
Average Salary	$103,885
Job Outlook	Projected 38% growth from 2022 to 2032
Key Responsibilities	Assessing and diagnosing patients, developing treatment plans, prescribing medications, performing procedures, and collaborating with healthcare teams
Skills Required	Advanced clinical skills, critical thinking, decision-making, communication, empathy, and ability to work under pressure

Why Are Family Nurse Practitioners So Important?

Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) are vital to the healthcare system because they provide accessible, comprehensive care to individuals of all ages. With their advanced clinical training and expertise in primary care, FNPs are often the first point of contact for patients, managing everything from routine check-ups to chronic conditions. Their holistic approach emphasizes preventive care, early intervention, and patient education, which are crucial for improving long-term health outcomes.

Additionally, FNPs help fill the gap in healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas, by offering a broad range of services that alleviate the burden on physicians and ensure that more patients receive timely and effective care.

Becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner

Family nurse practitioners undergo extensive educational training, including completing a Master's degree in nursing. Due to the broad nature of the position, they typically complete a variety of courses in epidemiology, pharmacology, health policy, and more. FNPs must be excellent at critical thinking and have superb communication skills to succeed in the role.

Most FNP job descriptions include the following requirements and skills:

Experience with electronic health records
Ability to work effectively in a team setting, providing relationship-based care
Well-organized and detail-oriented with the ability to establish relationships with coworkers, patients, and the public
Emotional intelligence and critical thinking skills
Effective oral and written communication skills and excellent interpersonal skills
ACLS, BLS, or CPR certified

To search and apply for open family nurse practitioner positions, visit our job boards.

Step 1: FNP Education Requirements and Training

Most FNPs first earn a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN), then take and pass the NCLEX-RN to become a licensed RN. Once this is completed, a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) is necessary to land a job as an FNP. Many schools have MSN programs designed explicitly for Family Nurse Practitioners that take 1-3 years to complete. Experience as an RN is mandatory, and knowledge of specialized equipment such as nebulizers or cardiac monitoring devices is a plus.

See a complete list of available FNP programs, post master’s FNP graduate certificate programs, RN to NP programs.

Educational Prerequisites

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Most programs require applicants to have a BSN from an accredited institution.
Registered Nurse (RN) License: An active and unencumbered RN license is usually mandatory.
Work Experience: Some programs require or prefer applicants to have a minimum of 1-2 years of clinical experience as a registered nurse.
GPA Requirement: A minimum GPA, often around 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, is typically required.
Prerequisite Courses: Specific coursework may be required, such as:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Microbiology
- Statistics
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmacology
Letters of Recommendation: Applicants may need to submit letters of recommendation, typically from academic or professional references.

Step 2: FNP Examination, Licensure, and Certification

Certification as a family nurse practitioner is offered through both the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). These exams usually require an RN to be a graduate of an accredited graduate, post-graduate, or doctoral level FNP program. The test covers a wide range of medical topics, including informatics, research methodology, illness and disease management, and more. Upon passing the exam, a nurse is awarded the credential Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified, or FNP-BC. This credential is valid for 5 years and then must be renewed.

Family Nurse Practitioner FAQs

In school, students who choose the FNP program track have more wiggle-room when it comes to further subspecializing as they have a broad range of knowledge from different age groups as well as health care foci (i.e. women’s health).

One way FNPs can further their clinical skills is by choosing mentors in specialty areas while in school. All nurse practitioners must complete a set number of supervised clinical practice before graduating, and finding a care area they are interested in will help develop specialized skills.

Some schools even offer subspecialty education. For example, Columbia University offers NP students an Oncology subspecialty track. However, students should find out which tracks offer these courses - sometimes they are not open to those in the FNP track.

Another way nurse practitioners can further their skills is through nurse practitioner fellowship and residency programs. These programs are usually run by healthcare organizations and include “extensions” of NP program specialties, but also include more specialized care areas such as:

Surgery
Endocrinology
Emergency medicine
Oncology
Cardiology

FNPs should be aware that each state is different regarding licensing and credentialing, so this should be checked before pursuing specialty practice.

Step 3: Finding a Job and Career Outlook

A family nurse practitioner can be employed in various healthcare settings and clinics, as they provide many advanced medical services across the lifespan. They are extremely valuable since they can perform many of the tasks that physicians usually handle. In fact, in many rural areas where there aren’t enough doctors to serve the community, FNPs fill the role of primary care provider. Due to their advanced medical knowledge and clinical experience, FNPs sometimes go on to careers as hospital administrators.

Working Conditions

FNPs are commonly employed in the following settings:

Hospitals
Clinics
Private practice physicians’ offices
Outpatient facilities
Public/community health centers
Health insurance companies
Telemedicine

Family nurse practitioners see patients of all ages for various medical ailments, from mild illnesses to severe conditions. They stress prevention and wellness but have the medical expertise to diagnose and prescribe medication. FNPs are expected to communicate clearly and effectively with patients and other healthcare providers, be analytical and decisive, and, above all else, provide accurate, compassionate care. Many FNPs develop lasting relationships with their patients and see them throughout their lives, from childhood to adulthood and beyond, and may even care for multiple family members. Each state has its guidelines and regulations for what duties an FNP is allowed to complete, so these nurses can work independently or under the supervision of a physician, depending on which state he or she is located in.

Family Nurse Practitioner Responsibilities & Duties

Examine medical histories
Develop treatment plans
Diagnose illnesses or diseases
Run diagnostic tests and evaluations
Perform or assist with minor procedures
Prescribe/administer medication
Act as a primary care point of contact for patients (especially in underserved or rural settings)
Collaborate with and work alongside other care providers, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, healthcare administrators, and more

Family Nurse Practitioner Salary & Employment

According to PayScale, the average annual salary for a family nurse practitioner as of 2024 lands at around $103,885. Salaries can range from approximately $86,000 to upwards of $129,000 per year. The biggest contributors to FNP salaries are geographical location (see below), type of employer, and the individual nurse’s level of experience (including any additional certifications or credentials held).

Highest-Paying States for Nurse Practitioners

State	Average Annual Salary	NPs Employed
California	$161,540	17,400
Nevada	$148,670	1,380
Washington	$145,400	4,330
New Jersey	$145,030	6,040
Oregon	$144,950	2,950

Stats from 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment outlook for FNPs is favorable, and growth is slated at 38% by 2032. The increasing emphasis on preventive care and the aging population’s high demand for healthcare services make FNPs sought-after healthcare providers. The salary and potential to develop lifelong relationships with patients make it a rewarding career choice.

Get more insight into nurse practitioner salaries.