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What does a Family Nurse Practitioner do?

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Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 4 min read

A family nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has completed a master's or doctoral degree program in nursing and has advanced clinical training in primary health care. Family nurse practitioners provide comprehensive care to patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly. They can order and interpret diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and provide counseling and education on health maintenance and disease prevention.

Family Nurse Practitioner job duties include:

  • Providing primary and specialty care to patients of all ages
  • Conducting physical exams and ordering, performing, and interpreting diagnostic tests
  • Prescribing medications and other treatments
  • Counseling patients on health promotion, disease prevention, and management of chronic health conditions
  • Managing patient care through collaboration with other healthcare professionals
  • Providing education to patients and their families on health topics
  • Coordinating care for patients with complex health needs
  • Serving as a patient advocate
  • Conducting research to improve patient care
  • Providing direct patient care in a variety of settings

Family Nurse Practitioner Job Requirements

A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is a registered nurse who has completed a Master's or Doctoral degree program in nursing. FNPs must be licensed to practice nursing in the state in which they work. In addition to completing an accredited nursing program, FNPs must pass a national certification exam administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). FNPs typically have at least two years of experience working as a registered nurse before entering a nurse practitioner program.

Family Nurse Practitioner Skills

  • Family nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who provide primary health care services to patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly.
  • They must be able to assess a patient's condition, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and prescribe medication.
  • In addition, they must be able to educate patients and their families about disease prevention and health promotion.

Advanced assessment skills, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, prescribing medication, disease prevention, health promotion, family education, infant care, elderly care.

Related: Top Family Nurse Practitioner Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Family Nurse Practitioner

There are many reasons why someone might want to become a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). Maybe they have always been interested in health and helping others, or maybe they have seen firsthand the difference that FNPs can make in the lives of their patients. Whatever the reason, becoming an FNP is a rewarding and challenging career choice.

If you are thinking about becoming an FNP, the first step is to earn your registered nurse (RN) license. To do this, you will need to graduate from an accredited nursing program and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Once you have your RN license, you will need to complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with a specialization in family nurse practitioner.

After completing your MSN program, you will need to obtain state licensure and certification. Once you have done all of this, you will be ready to start your career as an FNP!

Related: Family Nurse Practitioner Resume Example

Related: Family Nurse Practitioner Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

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Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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