Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) provide healthcare services across the age spectrum. They offer patients more detailed and comprehensive care services than registered nurses (RN). Their primary function is to ensure that their patients are well-taken care of.
However, they have greater autonomy, career potential, and professional growth than a registered nurse. They have the authority to act as primary healthcare providers and can carry out patient care without the supervision of a doctor. They have the authority to conduct medical examinations, maintain medical records, prescribe medication, and design patient treatment plans.
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are ranked number 2nd on the 100 best jobs of 2022. This is because this career pays well and provides a great work-life balance. Online nurse practitioner programs allow you to build a flexible schedule that works around your daily life. Moreover, you have room to look for career advancement opportunities and pursue them.
If you are wondering what exactly makes an FNP role such an attractive career choice, then read these reasons to find out:
- Greater Potential For Unparalleled Learning
As stated above, being a family nurse practitioner means having a wide domain of operations. You serve with great autonomy because you have extensive and in-depth knowledge of family health problems. You can diagnose as well as treat them without any supervision.
This is because FNPs have been subjected to a rigorous and unmatched curriculum. They have access to wonderful opportunities to learn and grow in ways that a registered nurse cannot. They can study pathophysiology, advanced reasoning and differential diagnosis, health policy development, and many more subjects.
This has led many NPs to pursue FNP Master’s programs. However, most of them are held back because they feel the hassle of managing their master’s program with their jobs isn’t something they can do.
To make this easier, many universities now offer online education. You can easily look for the best online family nurse practitioner master’s program and apply. You can decide on a schedule that suits you and finalize it. You can then take your classes between your breaks at work or when you are relaxing at home.
- Access To Leadership Opportunities
Healthcare institutions prefer hiring an FNP. The reason is quite simple; they can function independently and make great leaders within the organization.
They have the qualification and potential to work on causes like policy advocacy, patient education, and medical research. They work hard to ensure that the patient education program they have designed succeeds.
You’ll see that many family nurse practitioners also serve academic roles, i.e., they act as academic instructors and mentors.
- Greater Financial Advantages
The earning potential of an FNP depends upon the area of specialization, geographical location, and experience.
As of 2021, a registered nurse has an annual income of $77,600, while a nurse practitioner has an annual income of $123,780 in the US. That’s a difference of $46,180 annually.
Other monetary advantages that FNPs have access to are health insurance, paid vacations and holidays, opportunities for continuing education, and tuition reimbursements.
- Increased Autonomy and Flexibility
The autonomy experienced by nurse practitioners varies from state to state. However, they have greater autonomy than registered nurses and are deeply involved in the diagnosis as well as a treatment plan for patients.
They have some duties and responsibilities that overlap with that of registered nurses. However, most of their responsibilities far exceed RNs. They can work independently but are also considered valuable healthcare team members.
FNPs have the autonomy for the diagnosis, testing, assessment, and recovery of the patient. Because of this, they are often the preferred choice when they go for job openings. They work in various settings, from independent private clinics to busy hospitals.
They have access to a flexible work environment and can often require less movement between jobs. However, stress and anxiety levels might go up and down throughout their work repertoire, FNPs state that it is mostly manageable due to a flexible and supportive environment.
- Increased Job Opportunities and Job Satisfaction
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that as of 2020, the job outlook for nurse practitioners is 45 percent higher than average, and the average growth rate for healthcare occupations is 8 percent. This demand indicates that the prospects for nurse practitioners are bright in the country.
They have a wide scope of operations, great flexibility, and enjoy numerous financial benefits. This flexibility includes the option to work as locums for a nurse practitioner, further enhancing their ability to choose desirable assignments and locations. Hence, they enjoy high levels of job satisfaction. This also reduces stress and anxiety levels at work and creates a healthy and beneficial work environment.
- Greater Fulfillment
According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, most nurse practitioners in the US are FNPs. They serve a wide range of people, from children, teenagers, and adults, to senior citizens. They have a wide scope of operations.
They usually work on preventive care but are also available for primary and acute care. As they work across the age spectrum, they exercise greater responsibility regarding patient care. Most family nurse practitioners have the potential to have a profound effect on health communities.
- Close Knit Connections with Patients
Connecting with patients for better care is one of the fundamental aspects of being a nurse, whether an FNP or a registered nurse. The more your patient feels a connection with you, the more they can easily receive help from you.
In addition, Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) are obligated to work closely with physicians and doctors. Hence, their connections last a lifetime and help them excel in their career. These connections also act as endorsers for the nurse practitioner’s work ethic. It will help you climb the professional ladder with much ease.
Bottom Line
Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) offer healthcare services to people of all ages and professions. Children, adults, and senior citizens get quality care from them. They have great autonomy and flexibility in their job description and also obtain the benefits of greater financial independence, career potential and growth, and increased job opportunities.
We hope that the above-mentioned reasons convinced you about the reasons why one should pursue it as a career choice.