Nurses are some of the most amazing human beings in the world. They go above and beyond to provide their patients with the care they deserve. Despite working long hours, they still manage to greet every new patient with a smile on their face. They will risk their lives to provide care to their patients. Covid-19 is a prime example of nurses risking their lives to provide care and save their patients. Life of a Family Nurse-
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What is a Family Nurse Practitioner?
Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) are also known as advanced practice registered nurses (APRN). They provide care to patients of all ages. In addition, they give a wide range of services to their patients, including:
- Maintaining patient records
- Performing physical exams
- Performing diagnostic tests
- Prescribing medications
- Creating treatment plans
- Treating acute and chronic illnesses
FNPs can work in community hospitals, private practices, public hospitals, and universities. FNPs also have the option of getting additional certifications to advance their careers.
How to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner?
To become a family nurse practitioner, students must go through a 4-step process.
Step 1: Get Certified as a Registered Nurse
Students must complete a degree in nursing and pass the NCLEX-RX examination to become registered nurses in the US. In addition, students should work for at least two years before applying for FNP programs.
Step 2: Find Accredited FNP Programs
Students must find FNP programs accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). There are many excellent accredited programs available online for students. So, you can enroll in a Master of Science in Nursing FNP Online Program. It is perfect for those who are busy and can not attend college.
Step 3. Take the ANCC or AANP Exam
Students have the option to choose from the two tests to take. The tests are provided by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), respectively.
- The AANP FNP exam has 150 questions on clinical decision-making, health history, patient education, evidence-informed practice.
- The ANCC FNP exam has 175-200 questions on topics like assessments, pharmacotherapeutics, age-appropriate interventions, and regulatory guidelines.
Step 4. Apply to Become a Certified FNP in Your State
Every state has different requirements to become a certified FNP. Students should visit this page to find out the requirements in their state. After earning their FNP certification, students must renew it every five years.
Family Nurse Practitioner Skills
There are also skills and qualities that FNPs must have to succeed in the role:
- Time management
- Flexibility
- Gathering medical history of patients
- Extensive knowledge of electronic medical records
- Telemedicine – the ability to diagnose a patient on the phone or video call and with photos.
- Clinical documentation
- Resolving conflicts
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Ability to conduct physical exams
- Knowing when to use personal protective equipment
- Computer literacy
- Language skills
- Ability to perform a mental health evaluation
A Day in the Life of a Family Nurse Practitioner
FNPs do not have a typical day. Every day on the job brings a new challenge. Some patterns pop up now and then that make it easier to deal with the stress of the job.
Preparation Before Shift
The most important thing is to prepare for the upcoming shift, and coffee is a must. FNPs will find it hard to function without coffee. Furthermore, FNPs will answer phone calls from patients, answer any online queries, and process medicine refill requests every day. In addition, FNPs working at small-size clinics or physician’s offices will work 9-5. However, FNPs putting in 12+ hours shift is not uncommon. It is also not unusual for FNPs to come into work during weekends and holidays for patients that require 24/7 care.
During Shift- Life of a Family Nurse
At the start of their shift, FNPs will look at their patient charts to familiarize themselves with the patient and their illnesses. Once the first patient comes in, they will ask questions regarding their condition to create a treatment plan. FNPs will order diagnostic tests if they need additional information on their condition. They might also bring in a physician or specialists for consultation. Once the FNPs have accurately identified the patient’s condition, they will develop a treatment plan for them. FNPs collaborate with other nurses, physicians, and specialists. They must be excellent team players to ensure the quality of service provided to the patient.
End of Shift
For most workers, 5 o’clock means they get to go home and relax. Unfortunately for most FNPs, after seeing their last patient, they will have a long commute back home and other delays in the schedule. In addition, they can get called into work due to an emergency with a patient.
Salary of Family Nurse Practitioners
It is good to know that FNPs get rewarded for their work. FNPs make a great living even at the start of their career. Entry-level FNPs earn an average of $80k+/year. After working for a few years in the industry, FNPs earn an average of $90k+/year. FNPs with 5+ years of experience make an average of $120k/year.
Job Outlook- Life of a Family Nurse
According to the bureau of labor statistics, jobs for nurses will grow by 45% from 2020-to 2030. An average of 25K openings will be available for nurses in the next decade. It is due to several factors, including:
- employees changing careers
- employees retiring
- increase in demand for healthcare
- nurses will be needed to provide care to the large baby-book population.
Conclusion
Nurses are super-heroes of our society. They are intelligent, selfless, generous, and are compassionate towards everyone they meet. They can put back-to-back 12+ shifts and still manage to put a smile on their faces to greet their patients. Every day on the job brings a new challenge for them, and there is never a moment to rest. Being an FNP requires immense dedication. It is tough to be an FNP, but they find it fulfilling to make a difference in someone’s life.
