Across the US, the demand for family nurse practitioners is getting higher by the day. Becoming a family nurse practitioner is a job that almost anybody can do today, with a huge range of online nursing programs available to study and get your BSN before going on to take the master’s degree that is required to work as an FNP. More and more registered nurses are heading down this career path due to the fact that it allows them to enjoy a career with more autonomy and career responsibility, higher rates of pay, and the opportunity to work in different healthcare settings.
Today, family nurse practitioners have become an increasingly important part of the healthcare system as they are filling the gap that has been left by the shortage of primary care physicians to ensure that patients always have access to the highest possible standards of care. Since they will often work in clinics and doctor’s offices, and in many states are allowed to provide the same type of care you’d expect from a physician, it’s clear to see how nurse practitioners are helping. If you like the idea of a flexible career that you can use to help others and improve healthcare in your area, here are some of the main reasons why more parents are deciding to pursue a career as a family nurse practitioner.
Higher Responsibilities
Whether you’re already enjoying a career as a registered nurse or are looking for ways to get started with getting your BSN, a future career as a family nurse practitioner will allow for much more career responsibility. In the majority of states, family nurse practitioners are able to diagnose patients with conditions, prescribe medications, and refer patients for treatment – and they are trusted to do so without requiring the supervision or authorization of a primary care physician. This makes it an ideal choice for anybody who would have liked to go to medical school and trained as a physician, but was not or would not be able to for any reason. Becoming a family nurse practitioner is an ideal alternative, with more online programs such as the programs from Marymount University now available to make it easier for anybody looking to get into this career to make it happen.
Career Autonomy
Most people enjoy the idea of working in a career that gives them more autonomy and freedom, and the good news is that you can have this with a career as a family nurse practitioner. Due to the high level of education that these professionals receive, in many states they are able to choose whether they will work alone or in partnership with a primary care physician. Family nurse practitioners have a lot of freedom when it comes to how and where they will work. You can find employment, or start your own clinic if you think that healthcare options are lacking in your area and want to improve the options available to patients.
High Demand
It is hard to deny the high level of demand for nurse practitioners around the country today. No matter where you are in the US, nurse practitioners are likely to find it easy to find work once they have received the advanced qualifications necessary for this level of nursing. With a current shortage of primary care physicians now leading to more and more nurse practitioners being hired to fill this gap and ensure the continuation of patient care, there is work available in cities, urban and suburban areas, and rural areas in particular, where the shortage has hit patients the hardest.
Higher Salary
If you are already working as a registered nurse and want to earn more for the work that you do every day, family nurse practitioners can earn a much higher salary compared to registered nurses. As of May 2021, the average salary for a family nurse practitioner in the US was $111,880. The salary that you earn can vary depending on the area where you work, your education, certification, any additional skills that you have, and how many years of experience you have. And, it does not have to stop there – if you are ambitious when it comes to your career and want to earn even more, the career ladder does not stop at the role of nurse practitioner, with even more that you can learn.
Flexibility
Since nurse practitioners are in demand twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, working in this role can be very flexible, which may be ideal for you if you have children or other commitments that you would ideally like to fit your career around. When it comes to your working hours, there are various different roles to choose from with something to suit every nurse. Some nurse practitioners may find it beneficial to work in a doctor’s office or clinic where they can stick to general business hours, while others might prefer to work night shifts, early mornings, or other hours in a hospital or urgent care center.
Training and Education
Whether you’re at the beginning of pursuing your career in nursing or are already a registered nurse looking to progress in your work, the number of training and education options available to help you achieve your goals of becoming a family nurse practitioner today are excellent. If you need to get your BSN, you can choose from a wide range of options including traditional nursing school, accelerated BSN programs that are ideal for career changers and designed to help you build on a previous degree in a different subject, or online BSN programs which are more flexible and can be easily fit around your life. Once qualified, you can choose from similar options to get your family nurse practitioner degree, with various online, blended, and other flexible master’s degree and family nurse practitioner training programs that you can choose based on your specific needs.
With a high demand, various options for education and lots of benefits to working in this role, it’s easy to see why more nurses are deciding to train as family nurse practitioners.
