Do more than provide care. Make a commitment.
Growing and aging populations in rural areas nationwide are struggling to receive the care they need, when they need it. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), physician shortages may total between 46,000 and 90,000 by 2025. The combination of these factors has amplified the need for quality family nurse practitioners.
At Duquesne, we refer to our online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program as Individual Across the Lifespan. Your degree will prepare you to become a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP), which qualifies you to provide primary care for patients of all ages in a number of different environments.
By becoming a family nurse practitioner, you’re choosing to focus your expertise on families and commit to keeping them healthy throughout their lives — from health promotion and disease prevention to direct care and counseling.
Families around the world need you.
What does a family nurse practitioner do?
Patients who require continuous, comprehensive care rely on their family nurse practitioner to consult with them and assess their ailments before presenting a treatment plan. Whether their condition is caused by acute or chronic illnesses, they need your expert knowledge and expertise to manage their health.
Your day-to-day responsibilities as an FNP are similar to a primary care physician because you’re able to serve as your patient’s sole health care provider. You may work in a private practice alongside physicians or, depending on your state, you may be able to open your own independent practice.
As a family nurse practitioner, you can:
- Diagnose illnesses
- Prescribe medication and therapy
- Conduct routine check-ups
- Order lab tests
- Assist in minor surgical procedures
- Focus on disease prevention
What’s the market outlook for nurses with an FNP?
- High job growth. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts employment for nurse practitioners will increase by 31% from 2016 to 2026.
- Increased demand. With a growing aging population and the need for primary care providers in rural areas, there’s never been a better time to advance your nursing practice.
- Greater earning potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for family nurse practitioners is $110,930 — significantly larger when compared to the $70,000 median salary for registered nurses.
Where can your career as a family nurse practitioner take you?
FNPs around the country are acting as sole health care providers for families in rural and urban areas. Such autonomous practice is a defining characteristic of an FNP’s scope of practice. This level of independence means you’re able to apply your expertise in a variety of environments.
The choice is yours.
Primary Care
This is your patient’s first point of contact with the health care system and becomes their principal point of continuing care throughout their lives. In this setting, you’ll discuss undiagnosed health concerns and create a treatment plan that includes disease prevention. This is where your long-term relationship with patients begins.
Average salary: $101,786*
Ambulatory/Outpatient Care Center
Not all forms of surgery require admission to a hospital. Practicing at an outpatient care center allows you to provide advanced care to patients who are scheduled for a procedure and going home on the same day. You have an opportunity to work in imaging centers, catheterization labs, dental practices, dialysis centers and in-vitro fertilization clinics.
Average salary: $104,432*
Urgent/Inpatient Care Center
Life events are unpredictable, which is why urgent care centers are so important. You’ll provide care for illnesses or injuries that require prompt attention but aren’t serious enough to justify an emergency room visit. An FNP in this setting fills the gap between traditional hospital emergency rooms and doctor’s offices by offering walk-in care with immediate treatment.
Average salary: $108,050*
Children’s Hospital
Children’s hospitals offer services exclusively to children from birth to about 18 years of age. Since you’ll be treating a younger population, you will also provide psychosocial support to patients and their families.
Average salary: $93,334*
Federally Qualified Health Center
Federally qualified health centers provide crucial health care services to undeserved populations with funds from the HRSA Health Center Program. Working for a community-based health care provider means you will primarily work with individuals across the lifespan using Medicare and Medicaid to pay for their care.
Average salary: $117,367*
Hospice Organization
Patients who have been diagnosed with chronic, serious or terminal illnesses have the option to continue treatment as a resident of a hospice organization. Because of the severity of these types of illnesses, your role as an advanced practice nurse is crucial. You will manage and provide holistic care to the hospice patient and their family.
Average salary: $100,262*
Retail Clinic
Located in retail stores, supermarkets and pharmacies, these clinics focus on providing patients with uncomplicated minor illnesses and offer preventive health care services. Since you will be working in high-traffic retail outlets, the pace of the work can be unpredictable. This setting allows you to provide comprehensive care to a broad population.
Average salary: $98,748*
Nursing Home
When older adults can no longer take care of themselves, they rely on a professional like you. In many cases, it’s not safe for them to live alone, so they transfer to a nursing home for long-term care. You will manage short and long-term health care needs and develop, then implement, treatment plans.
Average salary: $107,170*
*Clinical Advisor