Nurse Practitioners are a type of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse who has either an MSN degree specialty or DNP under their belt. They are excessively in demand and can work absolutely anywhere, even on a traveling basis. As an FNP you will be working with everyone, from the young too old, and helping them both with simple diagnoses as well as in a preventative care capacity.
You will never be bored and will have important responsibilities. Between the freedom, the high pay, and of course the great variety of work available to you, there are so many great reasons to become a Family Nurse Practitioner.
1. FNPs are as Close to Being Doctors as Possible
FNPs perform many of the same diagnostic and assessment tasks that doctors do. In some states, this can even include prescribing medication on your own. You are in charge of a patient’s health, both in treatment and with regards to preventative measures.
2. FNPs Have the Greatest Control Over their Work/Life Balance
Of all nursing types, FNPs are expected to grow in demand the most. With this growth in demand, you will have a greater number of options in terms of your working environment. From hospitals to clinics, to even working as a traveling nurse, your options are wide open. You will be able to customize your career to suit how you want to live your life both at work and at home.
3. Pay for FNPs is High
Family Nurse Practitioners earn exceptionally healthy wages, with the median income for all FNPs being $94,474 per year. This is just the median, however, and the true range of wage for FNPs sits from $79,000 all the way up to $117,000 per year.
The good news is that the higher wages are not exclusive to positions in high-stress locations. Clinics, and even the Veterans Administration of the United States, all pay over $100,000 in wages as well.
What will determine your wage is your experience, the state, and the workplace, as well as your years working at that institution. Those who later further their knowledge with a DNP (the clinical equivalent of a PhD) will also be able to negotiate higher pay.
4. You May Be Able to Get Your Employer to Pay Your Tuition
FNPs are in demand, and if your employer wants a talented nurse whom they can trust filling the role, they may be inclined to pay for or at least sponsor a portion of your degree. In return, there will be contractual obligations. For example, you may need to continue to work for your employer for a certain number of years before you can move on. So long as you are happy with whatever arrangement you and your employer come up with this can be the ideal solution to get your FNP MSN and further your career without pushing yourself into debt.
5. You Can Work and Study at the Same Time
Regardless of whether you and your employer work out a deal, with the option of online learning your future is always accessible to you. Not only can you learn from one of the best schools in the world when completing your pick of online FNP programs, you can also spread out the cost of your education while continuing to work. It will take longer than if you took on your education in a full-time capacity, but by juggling your career and education you can make steady strides forward in all areas of your life.
6. You Still Get to Work Directly with Your Patients
Some types of APRN remove you from the patient setting, as do many roles higher up in nursing. This is because instead of overseeing the treatment of just one patient, you oversee the treatment of all patients in your ward. You do this by creating and maintaining care standards and managing nurses. Take note that you can be a crisis nurse too.
If this doesn’t appeal to you, then not to worry. FNPs work directly with their patients and provide much of the same care that their doctor equivalents do.
7. You Can Make a Direct Impact
FNPs offer their communities a combined healing approach as well as a preventative care model. In short, you can help your community directly. FNPs regularly work with those from all age groups and ethnicities, making you the ideal carer for any community. Combined, every day will be unique and exciting, and you will see the direct impact of your work in the families who come to you.
