As a nurse, becoming a family nurse practitioner (FNP) is a great way to increase your earning potential. According to indeed.com, nurse practitioners in the United States earn an average pay of $132,437 per year ($56.85 per hour)
In this article, you will learn more about the average family nurse practitioner salary in the United States and the factors affecting it.
Table of contents
- Who Is A Family Nurse Practitioner?
- Family Nurse Practitioner Salary
- Highest Paying States for Family Nurse Practitioners
- Highest Paying Cities for Family Nurse Practitioners
- What Is The Career Outlook For FNPs
- Where Do Family Nurse Practitioners Work?
- What Are The Duties Of A Family Nurse Professional?
- How To Become An FNP
- Step 3: Complete an accredited FNP Program
- What Skills Do FNPs Need?
- FAQs On How Much Does A Family Nurse Practitioner Make
- Conclusion
- References
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Who Is A Family Nurse Practitioner?
FNPs (family nurse practitioners) are advanced practice registered nurses with advanced degrees who provide primary health care to persons of all ages.
Family nurse practitioners are essential in the healthcare system, providing patient care to people of all ages and backgrounds, including the underserved.
Individuals and families can receive assistance from FNPs at any time. This can be very satisfying for those who prefer building long-term connections and getting to know others over time. Professionally, personally, and financially, FNPs can have successful careers.
If you are a registered nurse looking for ways to advance your career, you can consider the 20 Most Affordable Online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Programs.
Is a Family Nurse Practitioner Career Worth it?
FNP is a promising and challenging career path that involves providing primary healthcare to patients of all ages.
As a nurse practitioner, you’ll have the opportunity to work with patients personally, helping them maintain their health, prevent illnesses, and manage chronic conditions.
You may also have the chance to work in various healthcare settings, such as clinics, hospitals, and private practices.
From a financial perspective, becoming an FNP can be a wise investment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for nurse practitioners was $117,670 as of May 2020, with the top 10 percent earning more than $164,030.
Additionally, the demand for nurse practitioners is expected to grow faster than average in the coming years, so job prospects should be excellent.
However, it’s important to note that becoming an FNP requires a significant investment of time, effort, and money. You must obtain a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, which can take two to three years to complete. You must also pass the national certification exam and obtain a state license to practice as an FNP.
In summary, a career as a Family Nurse Practitioner can be a practical and financially lucrative choice for those interested in healthcare.
However, obtaining the necessary education and certifications requires significant time, effort, and money. Ultimately, whether or not it’s worth it depends on your goals and circumstances.
Family Nurse Practitioner Salary
Advanced practice nurses are paid more than registered nurses, and family nurse practitioners are no exception. The average family nurse practitioner pay is $104,928 per year, according to the 2023 Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant Salary Survey.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says that in 2023, the median annual salary for nurse practitioners was $111,680, with the lowest 10 percent of NPs making $84,120 or less and the upper 10 percent of NPs earning $190,900 or more.
As with any employment situation, FNPs should think about several factors while looking at any job offer, such as the local cost of living and overall benefits package (health and dental insurance, retirement benefits, educational perks, and others).
Highest Paying States for Family Nurse Practitioners
The BLS reports that the highest-paying states for nurse practitioners are:
- California: $145,970
- New Jersey: $130,890
- Washington: $126,480
- New York: $126,440
- Massachusetts: $126,050
Highest Paying Cities for Family Nurse Practitioners
Here’s a list of the highest-paying cities for family nurse practitioners:
- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA: $188,070
- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA: $177,800
- Salinas, CA: $155,310
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA: $153,240
- Napa, CA: $152,640
What Is The Career Outlook For FNPs
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for nurse practitioners will increase by 52% by 2030. Annually, qualified NPs are estimated to be needed to fill 114,900 positions. The BLS, unfortunately, does not distinguish between FNPs and other forms of NPs.
With the retirement of baby-boomer nurses, there will be a demand for new nurses to enter the field. Our aging population’s increasing health demands contribute to the demand for more advanced practice nurses. Our healthcare system urgently needs to become more efficient and cost-effective.
Advanced practice nurses, such as FNPs, are a cost-effective way to provide high-quality health care to a larger number of individuals, especially underserved populations.
Where Do Family Nurse Practitioners Work?
Nurse practitioners who specialize in family medicine are known for their ability to work both collaboratively and independently. As a result, persons with an advanced practice nursing degree can work in a variety of settings, including:
- Academia
- Clinics
- Community health centers
- Correctional facilities
- Government sector
- Home health care
- Hospice centers
- Hospitals
- Long-term care facilities
- Nurse-managed health centers
- Outpatient care centers
- Private offices/private practice
- School clinics
- Urgent care centers
Family Nurse Practitioners are sought for positions in administration, policymaking, and education, in addition to working directly with patients to deliver treatment.
They have filled the huge gap in treatment provided to patients in rural areas since they are free to practice autonomously in most states nationwide. The national physician shortage has significantly impacted many communities, and Family Nurse Practitioners have stepped in to provide critical preventative care.
To become a nurse, visit these ten most useful websites for nursing students.
What Are The Duties Of A Family Nurse Professional?
It’s all about providing family-centered care as a Family Nurse Practitioner. As an FNP, your primary duty is to look after patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly.
An FNP’s healthcare services are diverse and always focused on the patient. It provides the opportunity to teach individuals about good lifestyle choices, disease prevention, and treating illnesses and injuries.
FNPs are typically the family’s primary care provider, meaning they will diagnose and treat illnesses.
They examine patients, conduct diagnostic tests and procedures, diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe necessary medications, and teach patients how to live healthy lives to promote health and prevent disease.
The duties of a family nurse practitioner are:
- Health conditions are assessed and diagnosed.
- Performing routine physical examinations.
- Treatment programs for acute and chronic disorders are developed and implemented.
- Providing primary health care services with a focus on prevention.
- They provide medications and therapy when necessary.
- Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests at the lab and elsewhere
- Assisting with minor procedures when necessary,
- They make appropriate referrals when needed.
FNPs must be able to operate independently and collaboratively with other healthcare team members. Strong communication skills and an empathic disposition are other advantageous qualities.
See Also: How to Improve Communication Skills and be Effective in the Workplace
How To Become An FNP
To become a family nurse practitioner, you must dedicate 8-10 years of conscious endeavor and practice that will reward you differently.
Though the path to becoming a family nurse practitioner can vary based on whether you pursue your degree full-time or part-time, in person or online, here’s the typical step-by-step process of becoming an FNP.
Step 1: Earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing – 4 to 5 years
To become a nurse, you must first enroll in a four-year nursing program approved by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) or the National League for Nursing (NLN) (NLN).
Even though some nurses have degrees in other fields and others opt to become nurses after receiving a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing, the nursing profession is rapidly progressing toward a target of having 80% of Registered Nurses with a BSN degree by 2020. See our RN Career Guide for more information on becoming an RN.
Step 2: Obtain a License as a registered nurse
To become a Registered Nurse, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) (National Council Licensure Examination). The National Council Licensure Examination for Nurses (NCLEX) is a national exam used to license nurses in the United States and Canada.
Step 3: Complete an accredited FNP Program
Prospective FNPs must complete a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree focusing on family nurse practitioners after obtaining and maintaining an active RN licensure in their state of residence.
To become an FNP, you must complete a program that has been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) (ACEN). FNP programs are offered on campus, online, and in a hybrid model.
FNP programs are often very demanding, requiring instruction in advanced nursing disciplines and family medical care. Advanced health assessment, pharmacology, and primary health care for the family are all standard courses in FNP programs.
Whether on-campus or online, all accredited FNP programs demand students complete a certain number of clinical hours under the supervision of a preceptor (a medical professional who serves as a mentor).
Step 4: Become certified in Family Nurse practice
To become a certified Family Nurse Practitioner, you must first obtain your FNP-C or FNP-BC certification. It’s a good idea to check with your state board of nursing to see if they have a preference.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center offers the FNP-BC test, whereas the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board offers the FNP-C exam.
Certifications in nursing ensure that nurses have the necessary education, experience, and abilities to care for patients and enhance health outcomes. Check out the top 10 free nursing certifications.
What Skills Do FNPs Need?
FNPs require diverse skills and abilities to practice and gain certification due to the vast range of job tasks and client demographic diversity. The following are some of the most common requirements:
- Strong knowledge of advanced nursing theory, patient-centered care, and evidence-based practice
- Clinical knowledge
- A solid understanding of advanced health evaluation, pharmacology, and pathophysiology is required.
- Leadership abilities
- Interpersonal skills are needed for interaction and cooperation with other medical practitioners and patients.
- Specialization in family-centric topics like women’s health, gerontology, and immunization.
FAQs On How Much Does A Family Nurse Practitioner Make
Yes! FNPs can work in various settings, including hospitals, due to their ability to work collaboratively and independently.
Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) work under doctors’ supervision and can diagnose and prescribe drugs. Registered nurses (RNs) do not have the authority to prescribe medications and must report to nurse practitioners.
Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) work with other health specialists to manage patients’ conditions and provide long-term and follow-up care to patients. Other duties include ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests.
Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) can work in the following settings:
Hospitals and clinics
Private practices
Hospice centers
School clinics
Community health centers
Conclusion
Family nurse practitioners are crucial in improving the health and lives of patients, families, and communities. As an FNP, you’ll get daily personal rewards working with people from many walks of life as they overcome health challenges and work to stay healthy. The professional tips will come from the lifelong learning required to keep abreast of new technologies and treatments as you strive for the best possible health outcomes for your patients.
References
- onlinefnpprograms.com – How To Become A Family Nurse Practitioner
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