Family Nurse Practitioner Role: What Could I Do as a FNP?
The medical field is always in need of dedicated individuals to provide care to sick and injured individuals. Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) are on the front lines of medicine. Much like a physician, they can treat, diagnose, and administer medicine. If you're thinking about moving your nursing career forward, becoming a FNP could be the right step for you.
Are You Ready for a Career as a Family Nurse Practitioner
A family nurse practitioner is a highly educated nurse that provides a higher level of care to those of all ages. The practitioner may work alone or with other healthcare professionals to provide medical services for each member of the family. They can test, diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, both physical and mental.
Are FNPs in Demand?
According to NurseJournal.com, there will be an increased need for primary care, especially for family care physicians and family nurse practitioners. In 2011, more than 50% of the workforce of nurse practitioners provide primary or family nursing care.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the need for nurse practitioners that work as nurse anesthetists, midwives and practitioners is expected to grow 31% from 2016 through 2026, faster than other occupations.
Your Role as a Family Nurse Practitioner
As a family nurse practitioner, there are a variety of places you can work and specialties you can focus on. Here are just a few:
- Physicians' offices, hospitals, clinics, schools and home care
- Wellness and preventive care
- Treating both serious and minor ailments
- Treating babies through elderly patients
In your role you may perform the following duties:
- Educate patients to live healthy lifestyles to reduce risk and prevent diseases
- Conduct physical exams
- Create a treatment plan for both minor and serious illnesses
- Perform screenings and tests and assess results
- Provide ongoing patient care, from the birth through the aged
- Prescribe appropriate medications to treat those will illnesses
Is Becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner for Me?
It can be difficult to decide if you're ready to take this next step in your career. Here are some ways you could know you're ready to earn another degree in nursing.
- Ready for more responsibility
- Feeling unchallenged or stagnant in your current position
- Want the ability to move away from hectic schedules and the emergency room
- Want to be able to work in an office practice, possibly with a physician
- Ready and able to commit to master's degree-level course work
Earning a Family Nurse Practitioner Degree
Are you ready to move on in your nursing career? If you want to earn a Master of Science in Nursing, consider ECPI University's 100% online degree offering. With accelerated classes, you could finish the program in as little as 22 months. For more information, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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Gainful Employment Information – Master of Science in Nursing
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