Family Nurse Practitioner Degree Programs

The family nurse practitioner (FNP) is the generalist among specialists. This nurse practitioner while sharing the training that all nurse practitioners receive; specializes in providing care to entire families. The family nurse practitioner is intended to provide care for families from birth until old age.

Family Nurse Practitioner Job Description & Scope of Practice

Not only is the family nurse practitioner licensed to prescribe medications but they are also allowed to refer family members to specialists, order diagnostic tests and adjust medications in all states of the Union. The family nurse practitioner will assess patients, see patients of all ages and treat them for minor or ongoing illnesses. These nurse practitioners may see family members with ADHD, diabetes or for wellness checkups, or for a sprained ankle. The family nurse practitioner can provide almost all the required care for the average healthy family, they are not licensed to assist in or perform surgery.

How to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner

The family nurse practitioner requires the same education as the nurse practitioner starting with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and then receiving 2 more years a Nurse practitioner program which leads to a Master of Science in Nursing.

The family nurse practitioner will have had training or an internship with the general patient population and many serve internships in clinics or outpatient settings order to meet their certification requirements. The family nurse practitioner can expect to find employment with community health services, private practices, clinics, and some collaborate with physicians to establish their own practices.

This is a challenging nurse practitioner specialty because the family nurse practitioner will often see patients of all ages. The family nurse practitioner is becoming more prevalent and often number among the accepted medical practitioners for managed care insurance and some HMOS. The level of training for a family nurse practitioner assures patients of excellent care for normal health care needs.

Family Nurse Practitioner Education Requirements, Certification, and Schooling Programs

  • Successfully completing a four year nursing program and receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing is the first step.
  • Pass the testing procedure for receiving an RN license.
  • Work as a nurse for the required number of hours to gain experience prior to resuming applying for an advanced nursing program.
  • Attend an advanced degree program for Nurse Practitioners. The advanced nursing program can be a 2 to 3 years Master of Science Nursing or a Doctoral Degree. Family nurse practitioner specializations are available at some advanced practice nursing programs. The general courses for the family nurse practitioner will usually include adult and geriatric care, Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN) issues, pharmacology and primary care.
  • Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) are certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and endorsed by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Persons meeting all qualifications including passing the certification exam will receive the designation Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (FNP-BC). Applicants must possess a master’s or doctorate degree obtained through a program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) along with 500 clinical hours. The test consists of 175 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as theoretical foundations of advanced nursing practices, professional role, health care policy and delivery, clinical assessment and clinical management. Certification is a requirement for the nurse-practitioner field.

Family Nurse Practitioner Salary and Career Outlook

The family nurse practitioner salary range is around $86,000 per year across the nation. The salary and benefits of a family nurse practitioner (FNP) depend upon the agency employing the FNP, and the location of the Nurse practitioner.

Nurse practitioners are expected to have a very bright outlook as far as job growth. The Family nurse practitioner fits into the current trend toward cost effective and yet superior health services. A Family nurse practitioner can provide excellent health care for the average family at a fraction of the cost of a physician’s visit.

★ Featured Schools with Nurse Practitioner Programs

The following schools have Online Family Nurse Practitioner programs and are accepting applicants from people in the United States. Generally we recommend you contact 4 or more programs, talk with each, and then decide which is best for you.