Is Becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner Worth It?
Family nurse practitioners provide health care for patients of all ages. There is a growing need for nurse practitioner program graduates to enter this specialty. Registered nurses considering their career options may ask, “Is becoming a nurse practitioner worth it?”
An increasing portion of patients relies on nurse practitioners as primary care providers. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) found that 70% of respondents provided primary care in their current roles. This trend means that there are abundant opportunities for career growth for family nurse practitioners.
Family Nurse Practitioner Job Responsibilities
Family nurse practitioners are trained to provide a full range of primary care services across the life cycle. AANP notes that nurse practitioners “combine the roles of provider, mentor, educator, researcher, advocate and administrator.” Their clinical experiences and graduate education prepare practitioners for the daily challenges of family medicine.
Nurse practitioner programs train family medicine practitioners to diagnose and treat a variety of patients. They develop long-term treatment plans with patients monitored through regular visits. Family nurse practitioners diagnose medication, provide health counseling and work with care teams on improved patient outcomes.
Registered nurses often pursue nurse practitioner careers because they want to spend more time with patients. As primary care providers, nurse practitioners are afforded more time for patient interactions than nurses. Former RN and FNP Jamesetta A. Newland described the difference between the two career paths:
“I wanted patients who were able to participate fully in their care and take more responsibility for their health with my guidance, so I decided to become a nurse practitioner. I prefer being a generalist and collaborating with colleagues and experts when the need arises.”
Career Trends for Nurse Practitioner Program Graduates
Hospital recruiting firm Merritt Hawkins reported nurse practitioners were more in demand than physicians in 2021, reversing a 27-year pattern. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 52% growth in nurse practitioner jobs from 2020 to 2030. Graduates of nurse practitioner programs face a favorable job market because of a few trends.
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) projects a primary care physician shortage of up to 48,000 by 2034. Eighty million Americans will be aged 65 and older by 2040, representing about 20% of the country’s population. An aging population and a shortfall in primary care providers drive the demand for family nurse practitioners.
Trends in Full Practice Authority
State regulations on the level of authority for nurse practitioners have broadened in response to these trends. AANP defines three levels of practice environments for nurse practitioners:
- Restricted Practice: Career-long supervision or delegation by a physician
- Reduced Practice: Career-long collaboration with a physician
- Full Practice: No required supervision or collaboration with the physician
Twenty-two states and the District of Columbia offered full practice authority in 2015. AANP determined that 26 states and the District of Columbia allowed full practice by nurse practitioners in 2022. In short, family nurse practitioners can establish their own practices in a majority of states.
Career Settings and Paths
The ever-present need for family medical care means a variety of work settings for family nurse practitioners. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) found the most common setting for nurse practitioners is a private doctor’s office. Nurse practitioners are also frequently found in:
- Inpatient and outpatient hospital units
- Federally funded health clinics
- Private nurse practitioner offices
- Urgent care clinics
Family nurse practitioners find multiple career options once they’ve accrued years of clinical experience. The leadership and administrative skills required for FNP careers are useful in administrative positions. Experienced practitioners can guide departments, agencies and hospitals in their pursuit of excellence in care.
The global need for effective family medicine means a world of opportunities for nurse practitioners beyond their communities. There is also a shortage of nursing faculty that can be filled by practitioners who want to shape future generations of nurses. Nurse practitioner programs prepare graduates for impactful careers focused on patient needs.
Benefits of Family Nurse Practitioner Degrees
Nurses asking, “Why get an FNP?” find an abundance of answers, starting with high career satisfaction. The HRSA found that 92% of nurse practitioners were satisfied with their careers. Respondents cited the following reasons for why they are fulfilled by their jobs:
- The proportion of time spent in patient care
- Diverse patient demographics
- Respect from other colleagues
- Patient load
The most popular reason among “Very Satisfied” respondents was the level of autonomy offered by their jobs. Family nurse practitioners handle most or all of their patients’ care needs in many states. Enterprising practitioners can open their own practices and find other methods for care innovation unavailable to registered nurses.
Professional Flexibility
The weekly time commitment for a family nurse practitioner makes a good work-life balance possible. Practitioners in private practices and clinics typically work during weekday business hours with nights and weekends the exception rather than the rule. Regular schedules without long shifts add flexibility to personal and professional pursuits.
The family medicine specialization provides a good platform for the exploration of other practice areas. Family nurse practitioners can specialize in areas like diabetes management and weight management. Nurse practitioner programs also provide the breadth and depth of knowledge necessary for collaborations with specialists.
Financial Incentives
Nurse practitioners focus on family medicine to support quality care and healthy lives in their communities. The hard work required for success in this field is often repaid through fulfilling interactions with patients and colleagues. Strong earning potentials for family nurse practitioners provide another incentive for this career choice.
The BLS found a median salary of $120,680 for nurse practitioners in 2021. Merritt Hawkins listed a high salary of $300,000 for nurse practitioners during its 2020/2021 study period. The recruiting firm reported a 12% average salary increase from 2019/2020 to 2020/2021.
Start Your Nursing Career at Marymount University
The entry-level option for students with non-nursing undergraduate degrees is the Online ABSN. In just 16 months, Online ABSN students complete the following requirements in preparation for RN careers:
- An on-campus residency
- Clinical placements in Virginia
- 100% online courses on topics like Research and Evidence-Based Practice
Marymount’s ABSN is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Nursing courses at Marymount are taught by practicing APRNs who can speak with authority about the profession. The university’s stellar reputation is confirmed by top U.S. News & World Report rankings in its National Universities and Nursing categories.
If you want to become an RN, contact one of our student advisors to discuss if this program is right for you.