how to become an np

Roles & Responsibilities

1. Understand the role: What does a Family Nurse Practitioner do?

Herzing Nursing Programs

Traditionally healthcare delivery has centered around physicians to diagnose illness, prescribe treatment and medication and assume responsibility for a patient's well-being. Today the roles of healthcare providers have evolved. With the changes in healthcare reform, family nurse practitioners are serving an increasingly vital role in caring for families.

As our population continues to grow and age, the corresponding need for qualified providers to efficiently and effectively care for patients is skyrocketing. This has led to new and expanded roles for nurse practitioners who are trained to assess, diagnose, treat and manage illnesses in various patient populations.

Nurse practitioners are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) educated at the master's level or higher. They typically work in emergency rooms, primary care clinics, urgent care centers, and hospitals treating patients with a range of illnesses and/or life-threatening conditions. The primary care FNP is certified and licensed to treat patients of all ages in a variety of settings.

Learn everything you need to know about what a family nurse practitioner is and what they do.

Life as a family nurse practitioner: career profile

U.S. News and World Report ranked nurse practitioner #2 on its 2021 list of Best Health Care Jobs and #3 on its list of the 100 best jobs in America. It ranks so highly, in part, because of the tremendous job satisfaction FNP-trained nurses report as they gain more and more autonomy as primary healthcare providers. The annual report also factors in growth potential, work-life balance and salary.

Increasingly, FNPs are providing services for which patients would have historically waited weeks to see a physician, especially in rural areas where there is a shortage of primary family practice providers.

Where can you work?

As an FNP, you'll have a lot of options when it comes to choosing the type of setting where you'll work every day. Whether you choose to focus your career in family practice, geriatrics, pediatrics, Ob-Gyn, neonatal (ICU), urgent care, surgical/OR, internal medicine or primary care, you'll be a valuable addition to a staff at a broad range of healthcare facilities, including:

Urgent care sites
Private physicians or NP practices
Nursing homes
Home health agencies

Outpatient clinics
Hospice and palliative care centers
Schools and colleges

Public health departments
Women's health facilities
Veteran's Administration

There are many different nurse practitioner concentration programs you may choose from. Take our online nursing personality quiz to find out what type of nursing specialties are best suited for you.

How much can you make as a family nurse practitioner?

Family Nurse Practitioners have pathways to make their career choice a very rewarding decision, both professionally and financially.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for Family Nurse Practitioners in 2020 was $114,510, and the highest 10% of them earned $156,160.* No matter how you slice it, FNPs can make a very comfortable living. Salaries fluctuate from state to state and can vary based upon the type of facility where you choose to practice. See more detail on the average family nurse practitioner salary by state.

What is the job market like for FNPs?

There is a great deal of demand for Family Nurse Practitioners. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects overall employment for nurse practitioners to grow by 52% from 2020-2030. This is much faster than the national average for all occupations and is largely due to the increasing emphasis on preventive care and the burgeoning need for healthcare services for our aging population.

Overall, job opportunities for nurse practitioners are expected to remain excellent. Now might be the ideal time to earn the credentials necessary to elevate your career in this highly rewarding field.

How long it takes to become a family nurse practitioner

Becoming an FNP may take approximately 2-5 years depending on where you are now in nursing, the number of credits you can transfer, and whether you choose a full or part-time schedule. After attaining your master's degree you'll need to get certified and obtain licensure in your state before officially becoming a nurse practitioner.