A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) who provides family-focused primary care for patients ranging from adolescents to older adults. The family-focused aspect of this care requires the FNP to be well-versed in family and community dynamics and the care of vulnerable or marginalized patient populations.
Family Nurse Practitioners demonstrate critical thinking skills, compassion, curiosity, dedication, and excellent communication skills. While the FNP provides care in place of a Physician, they collaborate with and make referrals to Physicians, Social Workers, and other specialists as needed.
The FNP performs a variety of specific patient care functions, including:
- Accessing medical histories,
- Performing physical assessments and wellness examinations,
- Screening and diagnosis of patient conditions,
- Ordering and analyzing laboratory tests,
- Developing and monitoring treatment plans,
- Prescribing and monitoring medications,
- Preconception, prenatal and pregnancy care,
- Well-patient care for adults and children, including minor injuries, infections, and vaccinations,
- Referral to and consultation with specialists concerning specific patient conditions,
- Education of patient and family members,
- Management of chronic diseases that include asthma, diabetes, and hypertension, and
- Case Management of long-term conditions or illness.
The functions performed by an FNP are subject to the scope of practice rules of the state in which they practice.
A 2016 survey [1] found that more than half of responding Nurse Practitioners reported that they practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner, making this the most widely practiced Nurse Practitioner role.
Family Nurse Practitioners are also an excellent choice for healthcare organizations that wish to expand safe, quality primary care services while controlling costs.
Visit the Nurse Practitioner (NP) job description overview for more information about NP practice.
Practice Specialties
The Family Nurse Practitioner may practice in an area of specialization where they have already developed strong nursing skills as a Registered Nurse (RN). During FNP education or post-graduation certification, an elective course of study provides the additional knowledge and experience required to practice in these areas of specialization.
Instruction in areas of specialization varies by school and can include one or more of the following:
- Cardiac,
- Critical Care,
- Endocrine / Diabetes,
- Emergency / Trauma,
- Gerontology,
- Long-Term Care,
- Medical-Surgical,
- Oncology,
- Orthopedics,
- Pediatrics,
- Perinatal,
- Post-Partum,
- Pulmonary,
- Psychiatric,
- Rehabilitation, and
- Renal / Urology.
Certification offered by nursing professional associations and Certification Boards provides additional education in these and other areas of specialization.
Practice Settings
The Family Nurse Practitioner may practice in a wide range of primary patient care settings, including:
- Hospitals,
- Clinics – Rural Health, Ambulatory Care Centers, Specialty,
- Community Health Organizations,
- Medical Offices,
- Private Practices, or
- Government Agencies – Health Departments, Indian Health Services, or Correctional Facilities.
Scope of Practice
Scope of Practice refers to the degree to which a Family Nurse Practitioner may practice independently of oversight by a Physician. Aspects of FNP practice independence vary by state and include:
- Practice Autonomy,
- Prescriptive Authority,
- Physical Therapy Referral Authority,
- Death Certificate Signature Authority,
- Handicap Parking Permit Signature Authority, and
- Workers’ Compensation Claim Signature Authority.
The ability of Family Nurse Practitioners to practice with little or no Physician involvement distinguishes the FNP from the Physician Assistant (PA). The PA is restricted to practice under the direct supervision of a Physician. Family Nurse Practitioners’ Prescriptive Authority varies by state and is regulated more tightly for controlled substances.
Scope of Practice varies by state, depending on state legislative and regulatory rules. Visit the Color Coded Map and Sortable List to view how the Scope of Practice varies by state. For more detailed information, visit the Board of Nursing for the state of interest. Individual employers may impose Scope of Practice rules more restrictive than the state permits.
Education
The ability to practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner requires a graduate-level nursing education. There are several degrees or certificate types:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Master of Science, Nursing Major (MS-NM), or Master of Nursing (MN) – The master’s degree has been the most commonly offered degree type and is the minimum degree required for Family Nurse Practitioner education. These degree programs are offered widely by public and private schools. The master’s degree in nursing focuses on advanced nursing theory and care practice. Read more...
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – In addition to studying advanced nursing theory and care practice, the DNP emphasizes using research results to improve the NP‘s nursing practice. DNP programs also emphasize the application of Evidence-Based Practice to improve the quality of patient care. The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties is committed to transitioning all entry-level NP programs to the DNP by 2025. Read more...
- Post-Master's or Post-Doctorate Certificates – Eligibility is limited to individuals with a graduate-level or doctoral-level nursing degree. For example, someone holding an MSN as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) would be eligible to enroll in a Family Nurse Practitioner certificate program. Read more...
Prospective students should verify that the Family Nurse Practitioner program they are considering is accredited. Proper accreditation ensures that graduates are eligible to sit for the certification exams required to become licensed to practice.
Use the Nurse Practitioner Search Tool to identify programs for this and other degree combinations from our survey of more than 710 schools.
Accelerated Degree Programs
Accelerated Degree Programs generally cost less and can be completed more quickly than enrolling in consecutive BSN and MSN or doctoral programs. Use the Accelerated Degree Program Search Tool to identify programs for this and other degree combinations from our survey of more than 500 schools.
Certificate Programs
Most schools that offer a Family Nurse Practitioner master’s or doctoral degree also offer an FNP post-graduate or post-doctoral Certificate Program. These programs are open to individuals with a master’s or doctoral degree in another nursing specialty and wish to practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner. These Certificate Programs should not be confused with certifications offered by Certification Boards or professional associations.
Dual Programs
Some schools offer Family Nurse Practitioner study in Dual Degree and Dual Practice Programs. These programs save the student time and expense by eliminating duplicate coursework.
Dual Degree Programs
Dual Degree Programs award two degrees in separate but related areas of study. Students enrich their nursing education with study in another academic department.
Some programs award a Family Nurse Practitioner degree with an additional nursing degree, such as:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – FNP, paired with a:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Nursing Leadership.
Other Dual Degree Programs award a degree in the Family Nurse Practitioner specialty and an additional non-nursing degree in another academic department, such as:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – FNP, paired with a:
- Master of Arts in Bioethics (MAB),
- Master of Arts in Divinity (MDiv),
- Master of Arts in Religion (MAR),
- Master of Business Administration (MBA), or
- Master of Public Health (MPH).
Graduates from these Dual Practice Programs are eligible to sit for the appropriate national certification exams and become licensed as required.
Use this Dual Degree Program Search Tool to identify programs for this and other degree combinations from our survey of more than 710 schools.
Dual Practice Programs
Some schools offer Family Nurse Practitioner study in a Dual Practice Program. These programs award a single degree that combines the FNP with an additional clinical practice role. Education in Dual Practice roles enables graduates to work in an expanded range of practice settings and patient populations. This versatility provides the graduate with more career flexibility and growth opportunities.
FNP Dual Practice Programs may offer these additional practice roles:
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS),
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP),
- Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM),
- Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP),
- Nurse Educator (NE),
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) see PACNP and PPCNP,
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PACNP),
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PPCNP),
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), or
- Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP).
Graduates from these Dual Practice Programs are eligible to sit for the appropriate national certification exams and become licensed in both practice roles.
Use this Dual Practice Program Search Tool to identify programs for these and other practice combinations from our survey of more than 710 schools.
Tandem Degree Programs
Tandem Degree Programs award two degrees in the course of Family Nurse Practitioner study. These programs save the student time and expense by eliminating duplicate coursework. Some schools offer FNP Tandem Degree combinations, such as:
- Bachelor of Science, Nursing Major (BS-N), followed by a:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), followed by a:
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), followed by a:
- Post-Master’s Certificate (PMC), followed by a:
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), followed by a:
Graduates from Tandem Degree Programs are eligible to sit for the appropriate national certification exams and become licensed as required.
Use this Tandem Degree Program Search Tool to identify Tandem Degree programs from our survey of more than 710 schools.
Top 10 Degree and Certificate Offerings
This table displays a count of the Top 10 Family Nurse Practitioner degrees and certificates offered by more than 710 graduate nursing programs. This count includes degrees awarded singly, as the higher degree in a Tandem Degree Program, or as part of Dual Practice and Dual Degree Program offerings.
Certification
Graduates from a Family Nurse Practitioner degree or certificate program are eligible to sit for national certification exams:
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) – a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA) . Individuals who pass the exam receive the Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (FNP-BC) credential, or
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) – a subsidiary of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) . Individuals who pass the exam receive the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) credential.
One of these certifications, the FNP-BC or FNP, is a prerequisite for obtaining a state license to practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner. These certification exams differ in several factors: the number of credentials issued, exam pass rates, costs, and third-party professional organization support.
The FNP may obtain certifications in an area of practice specialization. This site includes a survey of more than 300 additional nursing and related healthcare certifications.
License to Practice
The Board of Nursing for each state issues licenses to practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner within their state. The FNP scope of practice, including Practice Autonomy and Prescriptive Authority, varies by state.
States participating in the APRN Compact and Nurse Licensure Compact have multistate APRN and RN license agreements. These Compacts ease the transfer of FNP licenses and the ability to practice among participating states. Participation in these Compacts varies by state. Check with your state’s Board of Nursing for more detailed information.
Professional Associations
Family Nurse Practitioners benefit from membership in nursing professional associations. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) provides representation and resources for all nurse practitioners. FNPs often belong to other associations that provide resources and representation in specific locations or areas of specialized practice.
Family Nurse Practitioners also belong to associations formed at the state and local levels that enable members to organize with their neighboring peers to address more localized issues. These associations may be chapters of national or international associations or organized independently.
Check this site’s extensive survey of more than 1,800 international, national, regional, state, and local nursing and related healthcare professional associations.