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What is a family nurse practitioner and how to become one
A family nurse practitioner provides healthcare services to patients of all ages, from infants to seniors. They are registered nurses with advanced training in diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medication, and managing chronic conditions. Family nurse practitioners work in private practices, clinics, hospitals, and schools. They collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care that focuses on preventative measures, health promotion, and patient education.
What general advice would you give to a family nurse practitioner?
Amy Grugan Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Assistant Director of Nursing, Bradley University
Avg. Salary $100,541
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 40%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.32%
Asian 6.33%
Black or African American 4.66%
Hispanic or Latino 6.65%
Unknown 4.50%
White 77.54%
Genderfemale 87.44%
male 12.56%
Age - 41American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 41Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
What are the pros and cons of being a family nurse practitioner?
Pros
Ability to prescribe medications and order diagnostic tests
Competitive salary and benefits
Flexibility in work schedule and location
Potential for career advancement and specialization
Fulfillment from helping others
Cons
Stress from an emotionally demanding work environment
Time constraints on patient visits
Heavy administrative burden, including documentation and insurance billing requirements
Limited ability to provide care for complex or critical cases
Difficulties in managing patient expectations and satisfaction
Family nurse practitioner career paths
Key steps to become a family nurse practitioner
Explore family nurse practitioner education requirements
Start to develop specific family nurse practitioner skills
Skills Percentages Patients 30.12% Diagnosis 7.14% EMR 4.52% Diagnostic Tests 4.39% Physical Exams 4.25% Complete relevant family nurse practitioner training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New family nurse practitioners learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a family nurse practitioner based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real family nurse practitioner resumes.Research family nurse practitioner duties and responsibilities
- Manage chronic conditions such as diabetes hypothyroidism and hypertension by following evidence base and clinical guidelines for these conditions.
- Manage acute illness and chronic health conditions including diabetes, hypertension, obesity and depression through a patient-centered, evidenced-base approach.
- Manage appropriate changes to individualize care plan to ensure cost and time efficacy in an outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation office.
- Refer patients to specialists to provide additional care to patients whose diseases and conditions are outside the scope of FNP practice.
Prepare your family nurse practitioner resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your family nurse practitioner resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a family nurse practitioner resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable family nurse practitioner resume templates
Build a professional family nurse practitioner resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your family nurse practitioner resume.
Apply for family nurse practitioner jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a family nurse practitioner job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first family nurse practitioner job
Wendy Williams
Family Nurse Practitioner, Luxe Rejuvenation Med Spa
Prior to entering the nursing field, I explored various career paths, seeking fulfillment and purpose. However, it wasn’t until I found myself working in a long-term care facility that an opportunity arose to pursue my passion for healthcare. With the support of a grant available to healthcare employees, I seized the chance to further my education.
In 2008, I completed my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, marking the beginning of my journey as a registered nurse. Stepping into my first RN role in 2009, I embarked on a path that would ultimately lead me to become a nurse practitioner.
The idea of becoming a nurse practitioner initially hadn’t crossed my mind. However, witnessing the skills, expertise, and knowledge acquired by a close friend enrolled in the program intrigued me. Motivated by the prospect of expanding my capabilities, I applied and commenced my studies in 2010.
Balancing full-time work and rigorous academic pursuits presented its challenges, but with unwavering determination and faith, I navigated through the demanding schedule. In 2014, I proudly graduated, equipped with a wealth of knowledge and skills honed over a decade of dedication.
The pivotal moment in my journey came in 2022 when Governor Houlcol’s announcement granted nurse practitioners the ability to practice independently. It was a defining moment and a calling to take the next step in my career. In 2023, fueled by a passion for aesthetics and a desire to provide comprehensive care, I founded Luxe Rejuvenation Med Spa.
Reflecting on the past decade, I am grateful for the opportunities, challenges, and growth that have shaped my career as a family nurse practitioner. Each experience has reinforced my commitment to serving others and making a difference in their lives.
Average family nurse practitioner salary
The average family nurse practitioner salary in the United States is $100,541 per year or $48 per hour. Family nurse practitioner salaries range between $62,000 and $161,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do family nurse practitioners rate their job?
Family nurse practitioner reviews
Helping others
Lack of pay, paperwork, seeing the same patients and doing the same as a physician but getting paid alot less!
I like the autonomy and the fulfillment of helping others.
I dislike the variations in the pay rates between NPs and PAs.
patient interaction, discussion of anything encouraging as they deal with longterm chronic illnesses. Empowering the patient to be part of the solution, and also to find ways to focus outside of their illness. And I love discussing research with patients when it relates .
#1 Administration does not value you as a health professional. They are stuck in the image of the nurse meaning we follow. They don't see us as clinicians that make a difference not just by caring, but by evaluating organ systems, medication regimens, finding the answer by communicating and getting a great history in regards to chief complaints, evaluating labs and staying up to date with research. I and other NP's before me laid the groundwork for our profession y working hard and being smart and educated. I have seen how companies want to get rid of the experienced NP to fill the role with two entry level NP's. There is age discrimination on top of it, it's not just the pay. #2 Arrogant doctors who push most of the work onto you in regards to documentation and also patient's medical management. Then act like they are "so busy". We know the good doctors from the ones who are their own fan club.
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Updated January 8, 2025
