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Family nurse practitioner vs public health nurse

The differences between family nurse practitioners and public health 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 public health nurse. Additionally, a family nurse practitioner has an average salary of $100,541, which is higher than the $60,319 average annual salary of a public health nurse.

The top three skills for a family nurse practitioner include patients, diagnosis and EMR. The most important skills for a public health nurse are community health, patients, and health education.

Family nurse practitioner vs public health nurse overview

Family Nurse PractitionerPublic Health Nurse
Yearly salary$100,541$60,319
Hourly rate$48.34$29.00
Growth rate40%6%
Number of jobs41,710310,843
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeMaster's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4344
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 public health nurse do?

A Public Health Nurse maintains the public's health through providing health services and information. They promote a healthy lifestyle, take part in health campaigns, and educate and inform the public about issues, such as preventing disease.

Family nurse practitioner vs public health nurse salary

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

Family Nurse PractitionerPublic Health Nurse
Average salary$100,541$60,319
Salary rangeBetween $62,000 And $161,000Between $42,000 And $84,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Mateo, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaHawaii
Best paying companyFairview Health ServicesDignity Health
Best paying industryHealth CareGovernment

Differences between family nurse practitioner and public health nurse education

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

Family Nurse PractitionerPublic Health Nurse
Most common degreeMaster's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Family nurse practitioner vs public health nurse demographics

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

Family Nurse PractitionerPublic Health Nurse
Average age4344
Gender ratioMale, 12.6% Female, 87.4%Male, 7.5% Female, 92.5%
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, 11.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage12%9%

Differences between family nurse practitioner and public health 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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Public health nurse example responsibilities.

  • Participate in manage care activities to produce health change, specifically providing diabetes education and lifestyle counseling in chronic disease areas.
  • Assist in application of traction devices.perform routine tests such as urine dip stick, vision and hearing tests.
  • Dispense medications and provide education for TB patients.
  • Provide basic CPR classes at the community level as well.
  • Produce and conduct staff classes such as CPR, respiratory protection, infectious diseases, etc.
  • Instruct family in the care and rehabilitation of patient, maintenance of health and prevention of disease for family members.
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Family nurse practitioner vs public health nurse skills

Common family nurse practitioner skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • Diagnosis, 7%
  • EMR, 5%
  • Diagnostic Tests, 4%
  • Physical Exams, 4%
  • FNP, 3%
Common public health nurse skills
  • Community Health, 10%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Health Education, 8%
  • CPR, 6%
  • Communicable Diseases, 5%
  • Home Health, 3%

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