By Elizabeth Family nurse practitioner (FNP), a highly skilled and competent advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), is it a career that offers enough prospects from a professional perspective? Are there sufficient reasons to become a FNP? And, even more important, will those reasons be valid in 2021 and beyond. These questions may surprise you so we give you the facts as they are.
Who is an FNP and what are their responsibilities?
It is important to briefly explain the job before we can discuss its importance. This will give aspiring nurse practitioners a clear understanding of what they are doing. Family nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have extensive clinical experience and advanced training. They also hold a certification as a medical practitioner. FNPs can also play leadership roles in rural communities.
It is important to understand that FNPs who have experience in rural areas not only serve as local healthcare leaders, but also play an active part in the overall health and well-being of the community. They take steps to improve the health and well-being of women, children, and the community.
FNPs can perform primary care procedures and write prescriptions without the presence of a doctor, depending on their qualifications and experience. FNPs are able to run their own independent medical clinics. This combination of responsibilities and autonomy is why many nurses choose to become family nurse practitioners. It allows them to be as close as possible to becoming doctors without having to go to medical school.
This is the perfect time to get an FNP qualification
Ironically, the title question is asking if there’s ever been a better time than now to be an FNP. The United States has had a shortage of nurses staff for over ten years now. This has always meant two things.
- Nurses, in general, and APRNs specifically have extremely low unemployment rates
- Overworked RNs working back-to-back shifts, and working too many hours per week. However, this was all magnified after the Covid-19 pandemic. The medical staff had to put in more effort than usual during the initial days of the crisis. It was the first time that a pandemic of such scale had been seen in more than a century. Soon, it became clear that the US was the worst affected by SARS-CoV-2.
Because they were facing a pandemic and the worst, all state governments had to take multiple steps. Two critical steps were taken by the states to give more authority to nurses practitioners, out of all the State of Emergency measures that they took to stabilize growing healthcare issues.
- Some states temporarily suspended all requirements of NP practice agreements
- Some other states temporarily suspended the requirements of selective practice agreements for NPs
These steps have resulted in several states granting nurse practitioners limited practice authority. Others have extended their temporary full practice authority clauses for NPS indefinitely. This was done in order to address a problem that is worse than the current shortage of nurses in healthcare facilities. The shortage of doctors is worsening, and nurse practitioners are able to fill this gap. FNPs already have the experience and training to effectively treat patients. However, they now have limited practice authority in several additional states which allows them to develop professionally.
FNPs can be made by RNs without having to quit their current job
A BSN degree and at least one year experience as a registered nurse, you can apply for a seat in the Marymount University FNP Online Program (CCNE Accredited). Working nurses will find the online MSN-FNP course format ideal because they can work as usual, get more clinical hours, connect with their colleagues, save on travel, and complete their degree at their own pace. Advanced nursing education programs offer flexibility because they are designed for professional nurses who work full-time.
There are also financial benefits to be considered, in addition to the convenience. Online MSN tuition fees can be as affordable as they are on the traditional route. Additionally, if you can keep a job, paying off student loans becomes much easier and more practical. The experience gained while working will be invaluable as you seek out jobs that are more in line with your qualifications.
FNPs are some of the most well-paid nursing professionals
In general, nurse practitioners are among the highest-paid professions in nursing. FNPs, on the other hand, are the highest-earning nurses practitioners. Salary.com reports that FNPs earn approximately $112,300 annually as of mid-2021. According to the site, FNPs can easily earn $120,000+ per year if they have sufficient experience and are able to choose their state of practice after doing some research on which states most need nurse practitioners.
Nurses are exposed to risk every day. The current situation is more dangerous than it was just a few years ago. It is normal to expect the rightful salaries and compensations in these times. The average salary for a RN with no advanced practice degree is only $66,500/year or $30.50/hour.
However, even the lowest-earning and most inexperienced FNPs can expect to make at least $97,000 to $103,000 annually from day one. It is strongly recommended that you obtain a higher qualification to ensure adequate reparations if you meet the admission requirements.
As a medical practitioner, you have the opportunity to help people
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to provide care for patients the same way a general doctor would? Anyone who has worked in the healthcare industry has probably thought about this at one time or another. Experienced nurses are more likely to have the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to recommend meds or other treatments to patients who are sick. They do not have the legal right to prescribe medication unless they hold a doctor’s degree and are licensed by the state in which they work.
You should consider getting your MSN/FNP if you want to take control and not follow the orders of inexperienced doctors. You will be able open your own clinic in states that have FPA.
You have the chance to help people who really need it
Many rural areas of America didn’t have easy access even to primary healthcare long before the pandemic. Locals found it difficult to afford treatment at hospitals, even if they drove the miles to the nearest hospital. According to surveys, a shockingly high percentage of Americans living in rural areas avoid hospitals due to their inability or inability afford long-term care.
Since long, family nurse practitioners have opened clinics in rural areas that are underdeveloped. Their goal is to provide primary healthcare at affordable prices for the residents. FNPs are essential to help manage the pandemic and other healthcare issues. Many of the doctors who opened these clinics with the intention to help patients have returned to cities, as that is where the pressure is the highest. This is where nurse practitioners can step in and provide the proper healthcare for rural communities that are truly in need.
Greater employability
Due to the national shortage of nurses, they don’t have to search for work as hard as usual. However, the best jobs go to nurses with the highest qualifications and experience. It is not enough to be employed. You must also be employed well. Your FNP degree can make all the differences. It not only makes a big difference in terms of employmentability but also adds longevity to a nurse’s career.
A BSN could soon be the minimum requirement for all RNs. Most registered nurses in the United States don’t have a BSN. They will need to finish their qualification before this happens. A deadline has been set by authorities. You won’t have to worry about the MSN-FNP board raising your minimum qualifications for the job. If anything, you will be well qualified anyway!
It is important to note that nurse practitioners who want to rise to the top must have completed their DNP-FNP earlier. An MSN-FNP is the minimum qualification to work as an APRN. However, some states require that nurse practitioners have a doctorate before they are allowed full practice authority. Your MSN in family nursing practitionership will open up many opportunities, but you might need to pursue a DNP/FNP to maximize your potential as a medical practitioner.
Because of the differences in training, experience, and ability between the two, the best hospitals and clinics will almost always hire a NP rather than an RN when hiring. Because it enhances the hospital’s reputation as a medical establishment, they will pay more for an advanced practice registered nursing staff member. This is critical for their business. An APRN is a type of investment that they would consider because they gain a skilled and efficient healthcare worker with leadership skills.
Answering the main question would be yes. There are many reasons why nurse practitionership is worthwhile for nurses today. The present adversities have actually opened up more career opportunities for NPs. Therefore, it is a good time to consider a family nurse practitionership degree. Although the option offered nurses a great career-enhancing education, it is now much more attractive in terms of future and present opportunities.
The course is designed to help you gain independence, confidence, increase your professional skills, take on leadership roles, assist others in a more effective manner, and make you a better nurse. In case you cannot move to another state or gain full practice authority, NPs are still respected more by doctors in every state.
Nurse practitioners will likely assume leadership roles when they are hired into the nursing departments. In addition to a pay increase, this is also a great opportunity. We have already discussed that the average and minimum incomes are not only calculated using FPA-FNPs’ income, but also all FNPs.