According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, nursing is the largest healthcare profession in the United States. There are nearly 4.7 million registered nurses nationwide.
There are many different types of nurses. These include licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, and family nurse practitioners.
What is a family nurse practitioner? This article answers that question and provides information about family nurse roles and responsibilities. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is a Family Nurse Practitioner?
To understand what a family nurse practitioner (FPN) does, you must first understand the responsibilities and requirements for becoming a registered nurse (RN). An RN must complete an associate degree or a bachelor of science in nursing. They must also successfully pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
An FPN is also an “advanced practice registered nurse” (APRN). There are several advanced practice nursing categories:
- Certified registered nurse anesthetists
- Certified nurse midwives
- Clinical nurse specialists
- Nurse practitioners
An FPN falls within this final category, along with pediatric nurse practitioners and adult-gerontology nurse practitioners. They provide a wide range of family healthcare services for patients of all ages, including infants, adolescents, adults, and seniors.
What Does a Family Nurse Practitioner Do?
The next step in answering “What is a family nurse practitioner?” is to look at the tasks they perform. All nurse practitioners have advanced training and education. They can perform all of the tasks of a regular RN, such as maintaining patient records, but can do several things that an RN cannot.
Nurse practitioner duties include:
- Performing physical examinations
- Diagnosing some illnesses
- Interpreting X-rays and laboratory results
- Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests
- Developing treatment plans
- Prescribing medications
- Offering health teaching and counseling
A FNP’s scope of practice is also broader. They can treat acute or chronic illnesses, including various conditions and injuries.
Their role is also to educate patients on disease prevention. They can work in a range of settings, including private practice, community health centers, healthcare systems, and universities.
How To Become a Family Nurse Practitioner
As mentioned, the first step to becoming a FNP is to become an RN. Next, you must get a master of science in nursing, with a focus on family nursing, at an accredited school. This specialized graduate degree prepares you for advanced practice.
Next, you will need to gain certification as a FNP through one of two options. The AANP Family Nurse Practitioner Certification exam consists of 150 questions that assess their knowledge of the history of healthcare, evidence-informed practices, and clinical decision-making. The ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner Certification exam has 175-200 questions that focus on age-appropriate intervention, pharmacotherapeutics, and regulatory guidelines, among other topics.
Learn More About Family Nurse Practitioners
Now that you have answers to the question, “What is a family nurse practitioner?” you can have a better sense of the responsibilities involved in this role.
At River Family Health, we provide comprehensive care for families throughout the Treasure Valley. We believe in educating and working with patients to achieve overall wellness, so we employ traditional and integrative approaches to health and wellness. Reach out to us today to schedule a visit.
