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Family nurse practitioner vs practical nurse

The differences between family nurse practitioners and practical nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a family nurse practitioner and a practical nurse. Additionally, a family nurse practitioner has an average salary of $100,541, which is higher than the $75,363 average annual salary of a practical nurse.

The top three skills for a family nurse practitioner include patients, diagnosis and EMR. The most important skills for a practical nurse are patients, APN, and home health.

Family nurse practitioner vs practical nurse overview

Family Nurse PractitionerPractical Nurse
Yearly salary$100,541$75,363
Hourly rate$48.34$36.23
Growth rate40%6%
Number of jobs41,710511,602
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeMaster's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Average age4346
Years of experience22

What does a family nurse practitioner do?

A family nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with advanced practice in family-focused care. Nurse practitioners can provide patient care to both children and adults. They have a higher degree in training than registered nurses; thus, they are qualified to diagnose and provide treatment to complex body conditions. Their duties include developing treatment plans, performing diagnostic tests, screening evaluations, and prescribing medications. Also, they educate and guide patients on disease prevention and healthy lifestyle habits. Their advanced education and training allowed them to practice as a clinic and hospital administrators as well as policy-makers. Family nurse practitioners have to get a bachelor's degree in nursing, then take and passed NCLEX-RN to become a registered nurse then proceed to take a Master's degree to get a job as a family nurse practitioner.

What does a practical nurse do?

A practical nurse is responsible for providing the highest quality care services for the patients and assisting them with their needs and concerns. Practical nurses work within a health institution or private household to support the patients in their daily activities, monitor their conditions, administer medication, and inform the doctors of their health updates. They also coordinate with other medical professionals to develop nursing care plans and activities to suit the patients' lifestyle and keep their active wellbeing.

Family nurse practitioner vs practical nurse salary

Family nurse practitioners and practical nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Family Nurse PractitionerPractical Nurse
Average salary$100,541$75,363
Salary rangeBetween $62,000 And $161,000Between $47,000 And $120,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CALancaster, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaCalifornia
Best paying companyFairview Health ServicesUniversity Hospitals
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between family nurse practitioner and practical nurse education

There are a few differences between a family nurse practitioner and a practical nurse in terms of educational background:

Family Nurse PractitionerPractical Nurse
Most common degreeMaster's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityEmory University

Family nurse practitioner vs practical nurse demographics

Here are the differences between family nurse practitioners' and practical nurses' demographics:

Family Nurse PractitionerPractical Nurse
Average age4346
Gender ratioMale, 12.6% Female, 87.4%Male, 14.3% Female, 85.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 6.7% Asian, 6.3% White, 77.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 6.3% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage12%7%

Differences between family nurse practitioner and practical nurse duties and responsibilities

Family nurse practitioner example 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.
  • Full prescriptive rights with DEA certification.
  • Educate patients on side effects, complications and further planning with chemotherapy.
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Practical nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage surgical recovery patients including vascular, ENT, GI urological and neurological cases, coronary bypass surgery patients.
  • Treat patients with dignity, respect, and compassion while maintaining there safety.
  • Maintain safety and quality standards of care while facilitating early discharge of mother and baby.
  • Maintain HIPPA and OSHA guidelines.
  • Receive and implementing Dr orders.
  • Train in lactation and NRP certify.
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Family nurse practitioner vs practical nurse skills

Common family nurse practitioner skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • Diagnosis, 7%
  • EMR, 5%
  • Diagnostic Tests, 4%
  • Physical Exams, 4%
  • FNP, 3%
Common practical nurse skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • APN, 7%
  • Home Health, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Physical Examinations, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%

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