If you’re a registered nurse (RN) seeking career advancement and a more autonomous role in healthcare, becoming a family nurse practitioner (FNP) could be an excellent path for you. Family nurse practitioner jobs offer the chance to provide comprehensive care, practice with greater independence, and embrace the challenges of diverse healthcare environments.
“Becoming an FNP can give you so many job opportunities,” says Sue Ann Maughmer, a graduate of Chamberlain University’s MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialty track. “Becoming an FNP has been one of the best decisions that I have made for my professional career.”
Perhaps you’re wondering, “What exactly does an FNP do?” or “Where can I find Family Nurse Practitioner Jobs Near Me?”. Let’s explore the wide spectrum of family nurse practitioner roles and the various settings where you can make a significant impact.
Understanding the Role of a Family Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who are qualified to provide care across the lifespan, from infants to the elderly. They serve as primary healthcare providers, offering a direct point of contact for patients seeking medical attention. Unlike RNs who typically work under physician supervision, FNPs operate with a greater degree of autonomy. Their responsibilities are broad, encompassing patient diagnosis, treatment plan development, and medication prescription.
To embark on this career path, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) outlines specific educational requirements. Aspiring FNPs must be registered nurses holding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from a program specializing in nurse practitioner education, such as the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner track at Chamberlain University.
Furthermore, FNPs, like other nurse practitioners, are required to pass a national board certification exam and fulfill state-specific licensure requirements.
A family nurse practitioner consults with a patient in a clinic setting, demonstrating the personalized care and direct patient interaction typical of FNP roles.
Diverse Work Environments for Family Nurse Practitioners
One of the appealing aspects of a family nurse practitioner career is the vast array of practice settings available. From traditional doctor’s offices to specialized facilities like prisons and industrial sites, FNP jobs can be found in numerous locations. Let’s delve into some common and unique workplaces for family nurse practitioners:
Acute and Urgent Care Centers
For FNPs who thrive in dynamic environments, acute or urgent care centers present an engaging option. These fast-paced settings demand adaptability as each day brings a variety of medical cases. While urgent care clinics frequently handle injuries like fractures and burns, FNPs in these roles also diagnose and manage a broad spectrum of illnesses for patients of all ages within the community.
“My day starts with seeing patients of all ages and with chronic and acute illnesses. I do a lot of school, employment and annual physicals. I see around 20 to 30 patients a day. Right now, with COVID-19, I see a lot of patients with respiratory illness that may or may not be positive.” – Crystal Thomas, FNP-BC, Chamberlain FNP Graduate
The typical workday in urgent care may span from morning to late afternoon, but can fluctuate based on patient volume. The rewarding aspect often lies in the immediate positive impact FNPs can make on patients’ lives through attentive listening, patient education, and effective treatment.
Physicians’ Offices and Private Clinics
When considering “family nurse practitioner jobs near me,” doctors’ offices and private clinics often come to mind, and for good reason. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that physicians’ offices were the primary employers of nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists in 2021.
“The majority of my patients are walk-ins, so what I do varies from day to day,” explains Chamberlain FNP graduate Holly Cox, who is employed in a private clinic. “We may be very busy one day and have a much more laid-back day the next. We see a lot of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, as well as those with diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia.”
In clinic or office settings, FNPs usually see fewer patients daily compared to hospital environments. This allows for more extended patient interactions and the opportunity to build ongoing relationships through follow-up appointments and consistent care management. The satisfaction in this setting often stems from witnessing patients’ improvement and recovery under their care.
Hospital Settings
Hospitals are the second largest employer of FNPs, according to the BLS. Within a hospital, family nurse practitioners can specialize in various departments, including emergency rooms, intensive care units, and obstetrics.
Working in a hospital as an FNP provides invaluable experience in managing diverse and complex medical conditions across a wide range of patient demographics. Hospital-based FNP jobs often involve shift work, which may include nights, weekends, and holidays, requiring flexibility but also offering varied scheduling options.
Skilled Nursing and Long-Term Care Facilities
For FNPs with a passion for geriatric care, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and long-term care facilities (nursing homes) offer fulfilling career paths. SNFs focus on short-term rehabilitation for patients transitioning from hospitals, requiring FNPs to manage medication, oversee physical and occupational therapy, and ensure medical stability.
FNPs in SNFs play a critical role in helping elderly patients regain independence and often work closely with families in the care process. Long-term care facilities, on the other hand, provide care to residents over extended periods, emphasizing chronic disease management and quality of life.
“As difficult as the job is, I get up every morning happy to go to my workplace, because every day is a new day with new challenges and new rewards. The rewards are plentiful when my patients and their families say thank you. My patients are 99% elderly, chronically ill people. I cannot cure them, but my goal is to make their stay with us as pleasant as possible, especially when families cannot visit their loved ones.” – Eleina Sapoz, Chamberlain University alumna
In both SNF and long-term care settings, strong listening skills and physical stamina are important, as FNPs assist patients with mobility and daily activities, significantly impacting their comfort and well-being. Specialization in gerontology can further enhance expertise in this area.
An FNP provides compassionate care to a senior patient, highlighting the role’s importance in ensuring patient comfort and well-being in geriatric settings.
Hospice and Palliative Care
FNPs who are drawn to providing compassionate end-of-life care can find meaningful roles in hospice and palliative care. These nurses focus on symptom management, pain relief, and emotional and spiritual support for patients facing life-limiting illnesses. Hospice care is typically provided when a patient’s prognosis is six months or less, while palliative care can be offered at any stage of serious illness.
“A typical day for me is seeing patients in their home setting for symptom management to include acute symptoms and chronic symptoms, recent visits, and support visits for patients who are actively dying. I am also a support person for our nursing team and help them with any clinical needs they may have during their day. The most rewarding part of my job is the job’s mission. Hospice is a unique clinical setting, and it’s an honor to be able to walk this journey with any patient and their family during such a critical time in their lives. Being able to provide physical care, emotional care and spiritual care during the last days of a patient’s life is not only a blessing to them but a blessing to me. Also, providing supportive care to their family/caregiver is very rewarding.” – Sue Ann Maughmer, APRN, MSN, FNP-BC, Chamberlain Graduate
Hospice and palliative care FNPs work in diverse locations, including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, dedicated hospice centers, and patients’ homes, providing essential comfort and dignity during sensitive times.
Convenient Care Clinics (Retail Clinics)
Retail clinics within pharmacies and large retail stores are increasingly popular, offering another avenue for family nurse practitioner jobs. These convenient care clinics address immediate healthcare needs such as vaccinations, minor injury treatment, and management of common illnesses like colds and flu. They appeal to patients seeking accessible, affordable healthcare with shorter wait times compared to traditional emergency departments.
Private Practice
For FNPs with an entrepreneurial spirit, opening a private practice or joining an existing one offers significant autonomy. While state regulations vary regarding independent practice for nurse practitioners, this path allows for greater control over patient care and practice management. However, private practice ownership also entails business responsibilities, including insurance management, marketing, and financial administration.
Correctional Facilities
Correctional facilities represent an often-overlooked but impactful setting for family nurse practitioner careers. These roles involve providing comprehensive healthcare to incarcerated individuals, managing both chronic and acute conditions within the unique environment of a prison or jail.
“I gave the prison a try, and it’s been amazing. On a typical day, I see about 10 to 15 scheduled patients. You may also see some acute conditions like chest pain, foreign body obstruction, nausea or vomiting.” – Tracey Yeboah, FNP-C, Chamberlain FNP grad
Additional Healthcare Environments
The scope of family nurse practitioner jobs extends beyond these common settings. FNPs are also employed in schools and universities, public health departments, and occupational health settings like factories and corporate campuses. In occupational health, FNPs focus on employee health management, including preventative care, workplace injury treatment, and health screenings.
“I work on-site in a factory setting managing all the new workers. We also provide primary care services as well as urgent care/sick visits, lab work as needed [and] vaccinations as needed to all employees on-site.” – Candice Dyer, MSN, FNP-C
An FNP in an occupational health setting provides on-site care to employees, illustrating the role’s adaptability to diverse workplace environments.
Embark on Your Journey to Becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner
The demand for family nurse practitioners is projected to grow substantially. The BLS anticipates a 40% increase in nurse practitioner job opportunities through 2031, significantly outpacing the average growth for all occupations. This robust job outlook, coupled with the fulfilling nature of the work, makes becoming an FNP a highly attractive career move for ambitious RNs.
Chamberlain University is dedicated to supporting nursing students in achieving rewarding healthcare careers. Their CCNE-accredited nursing programs offer flexible learning options, including online coursework and immersive practical experiences. The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner track is designed to be completed in under three years, with online flexibility to accommodate working professionals.
Chamberlain’s program includes an Immersion Event, providing hands-on practice in clinical assessment and real-time feedback, preparing students for their clinical practicums. The university’s BSN, MSN, and DNP programs are all accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensuring high educational standards.
If you’re ready to explore family nurse practitioner jobs near you and take the next step in your nursing career, consider Chamberlain University as your educational partner.
To learn more about the MSN FNP program, contact us online or call 877.751.5783. Let Chamberlain University help you achieve your career aspirations and become a family nurse practitioner dedicated to improving patient health across all stages of life.
Chamberlain University, an accredited institution, offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and certificate programs in nursing and healthcare professions. With a growing network of campuses and robust online programs, Chamberlain continues to build on more than 130 years of excellence in preparing extraordinary healthcare professionals.
