A family nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has received the specialized clinical and educational training necessary to practice primary family-focused care. Like a family physician, a family nurse practitioner works with patients of all ages to diagnose medical conditions, treat illness, prescribe medications and maintain health over the patient's lifespan.

The laws regulating family nurse practitioners differ from state to state. Certain states require FNPs to work under the supervision of a physician. In many states, however, family nurse practitioners are authorized to work independently.

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 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 $32,050 per year in 2024. This is nearly $40,000 more than a registered nurse's 2024 yearly median wage of $93,600.

Salaries vary for nurse practitioners based on where they work and their specialty. Overall, nurse practitioners are compensated well, with the top 50% taking home six-figure salaries (U.S. News & World Report).

The job outlook for family nurse practitioners is excellent. Since the United States currently faces a shortage of primary care physicians, there is a surging demand for family nurse practitioners. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects over 141,200 new nurse practitioner jobs will be created from 2023 to 2033, representing an employment growth rate of 40% (much faster than the average).

FNPs enjoy high levels of job satisfaction and more autonomy than RNs. Nurse practitioners are ranked as #1 in Best Health Care Jobs and #1 in 100 Best Jobs nationwide by U.S. News & World Report. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 65.3% of nurse practitioners are certified in family practice. 

FNPs fulfill a real need. By earning an MSN-FNP degree and becoming a nurse practitioner, graduates will help bridge gaps in primary care. The shortage of primary care physicians is expected to reach as high as 48,000 by 2034. FNPs are answering the call to make health care more accessible across the U.S., especially in primary care.

To become an FNP, you must:

• Get licensed as a registered nurse.
• Obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
• Obtain a Master of Science in Nursing degree with an FNP specialty (MSN-FNP).
• Become certified by passing the national FNP certification exam offered by either the ANCC or AANP.
• Apply for state licensure as an FNP.