Think of a family nurse practitioner as a registered nurse who is licensed to perform many of the same roles as a family doctor. A family nurse practitioner sees patients of all ages for scheduled or drop-in health care appointments. Depending on state restrictions, he or she performs physical exams, orders diagnostic tests and procedures, diagnoses illnesses, prescribes and administers treatment, and educates patients on how to develop and maintain healthy lifestyles.

Family nurse practitioners work in a variety of advanced nursing practice settings. While many choose to work in private practice, others work in settings such as retail clinics, hospitals and schools.

• Private Practice: Many FNPs work in private practice outpatient clinics, where they focus on providing primary care to their supervising physician’s patients or their own patients.
• Retail Clinics: It is becoming common for FNPs to work in retail health clinics. Often these clinics are open during regular business hours up to seven days a week and attract a high percentage of walk-in patients.
• Urgent Care Centers: Urgent care centers are where patients go for non-emergency urgent care such as minor fractures, sprains and allergic reactions, all of which FNPs are trained to handle.
• Hospitals: Some FNPs choose to work in hospital settings. Because their training is in primary care, FNPs who want to work in hospitals often obtain additional certification as an acute care nurse practitioner or emergency nurse practitioner.
• Schools: A small percentage of FNPs work in schools where they provide primary care for students.

A family nurse practitioner has many important roles and responsibilities. Just like a primary care physician, an FNP provides diagnosis, treatment, disease management, health education, and preventive health care services. Depending on the state they work in, FNPs have the authority to:

• Manage chronic health conditions like hypertension and diabetes
• Treat minor acute injuries (such as sprains and strains) and illnesses (such as flu)
• Provide health care to people of all ages, from infants and children to adults and the elderly
• Conduct health assessments and physical examinations
• Oversee women’s health requirements, including preconception and prenatal care
• Educate patients about health, wellness and disease prevention throughout the lifespan
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests
• Prescribe medication

FNPs work with a broad patient population including members of all genders and ages. In many parts of the country, particularly in rural areas, family nurse practitioners are the sole primary care providers in FNP-led care clinics.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage for a nurse practitioner was $111,680 in May 2020. This is over $38,000 more than the 2019 median annual wage of a registered nurse at $73,300.

The mean annual wage for a nurse practitioner is even higher at $114,510.

The job outlook for family nurse practitioners is very good. Since the United States is currently facing a shortage of primary care physicians, there is a surging demand for family nurse practitioners. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that more than 110,700 new nurse practitioner jobs will be created by 2029, representing an employment growth rate of 52% (much faster than the average job growth rate).

• Family nurse practitioners have a high earning potential. Family Nurse Practitioners typically earn more than an RN or BSN-prepared nurse. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that the 2020 median annual pay for a nurse practitioner is $111,680.
• Family nurse practitioners fulfil a real need. By earning an MSN-FNP degree and becoming a nurse practitioner, graduates will help fulfill a growing need for primary care providers. The projected shortage of primary care physicians is expected to reach as high as 55,200 by 2032. Family nurse practitioners are answering the call and filling the gap left by physicians.
• Family nurse practitioners enjoy high levels of job satisfaction. Family nurse practitioners enjoy a high rate of job satisfaction and more autonomy than RNs. An FNP is one of the top four Best Healthcare Jobs and in the top five of the 100 Best Jobs according to U.S. News & World Report, 2020.