Thinking about taking your nursing education to the next level with an advanced degree? If so, and if you’re looking for a nursing education that’s in high demand, then an MSN-family nurse practitioner (FNP) program may be right for you.
So, what exactly is an FNP, and what kind of role do these professionals take on in the healthcare community? Likewise, how do you become one, and what does the FNP scope of practice look like?
Exploring the Role of a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Generally speaking, family nurse practitioners are nurse practitioners who specialize in family medicine. In many ways, FNPs take on a similar role as a primary care physician by providing preventative and primary care to patients of all ages and backgrounds. When entering or even considering this career, it’s important to understand what an FNP is and is not qualified to do, including the standard FNP scope of practice.
A Day in the Life of an FNP
What does the “typical” day of work look like for an FNP? Regarding the FNP role and scope of practice, the honest answer here is that there is really no such thing as a typical day in this line of work. Each day, FNPs see many patients for a diverse range of reasons. They may go from performing a basic wellness exam on a child to providing a referral to a specialist for an older adult. FNPs can also work in a variety of settings, ranging from doctors’ offices and hospitals to college campuses/schools, urgent care facilities, and more.
Scope of Practice: What an FNP Can and Cannot Do
It’s important to understand that the family nurse practitioner scope of practice can differ slightly from state to state. This is because each state oversees creating and enforcing its own laws regarding FNP licensing and treatment limits. With this in mind, if you’re thinking about becoming an FNP, it’s important to look up the specific requirements and limitations in your own state of practice.
In general, however, there are some things that are true in most states when it comes to FNP role and scope of practice.
Understanding Prescriptive Authority and Treatment Limits
For starters, understand that FNPs have different prescriptive authorities and treatment limits across different states. In many states. FNPs operate underneath a doctor or physician and thus cannot treat patients 100% independently.
In many states, however, FNPs do have the authority to prescribe medications to patients. This is true, for example, in the state of Ohio.
Diagnosing and Treating Common Medical Conditions
Typically, when it comes to the family nurse practitioner scope of practice, FNPs also can diagnose and treat common medical conditions. This can include anything from mild allergic reactions (such as rashes) to common ailments and injuries (such as sprains and viruses). In situations where an injury or condition is too complex to be treated by an FNP, these professionals can refer patients to specialists as needed so they can receive the necessary level of care and expertise.
Ordering and Interpreting Diagnostic Tests
In most states, FNPs also can order and interpret diagnostic tests. This may include running bloodwork on patients to establish a baseline for their health or spot signs of underlying medical conditions. Other types of tests that may be ordered by an FNP may include X-rays, laboratory tests, scans, and biopsies. Some of these tests may be performed by an FNP or other professional in-house, whereas others may need to be referred out to another facility.
Providing Preventative Care and Health Education
FNPs play an important role in providing preventative care and health education to patients. In this sense, these professionals take on a very similar role to a primary care doctor. More specifically, they may provide annual wellness exams that look for signs of underlying health conditions and provide lifestyle counseling to help patients lead the healthiest lives possible.
FNPs can also help patients stay on top of other aspects of preventative care, such as getting referrals for more in-depth diagnostic tests and screenings (like mammograms or colonoscopies).
Prescribing Medication
FNPs in most states can prescribe medication to patients when necessary. Usually, this is simple medication (such as antibiotics to treat an infection). In states where FNPs do not have the ability to prescribe medication, they may instead need to get approval for medication from another prescribing doctor or physician within the facility. This is especially true when it comes to writing prescriptions for commonly abused and controlled medications, like pain killers.
Referring to Specialists When Necessary
FNPs are often the first medical professional that a patient will see when they are experiencing troubling symptoms or ailments. It is the responsibility of the FNP to determine when they can treat the patient completely and when they may need some outside perspective and expertise from a specialist.
FNPs can help support the health and wellness of their patients by referring them to specialists for more advanced care when needed. For example, an FNP might refer a patient suffering from stomach/digestive issues to a gastroenterologist for more advanced and tailored care/testing.
Comparing the Scope Across Different States and Settings
The exact FNP scope of practice and treatment limits of an FNP can vary greatly from one state to the next. Some states allow FNPs to act with almost as much authority as any other type of doctor or primary care physician, with the ability to diagnose/treat patients and write prescriptions. In other states, however, FNPs are more limited in their power and may need to work directly underneath a doctor.
The FNP scope of practice may also vary not just from state to state, but from one setting to the next as well. An FNP in an urgent care setting, for example, may handle a lot more referrals than anything else. Meanwhile, an FNP in a pediatrician’s office may be more focused on preventative care and wellness exams.
Work Environments and Specializations for FNPs
One of the things about working as an FNP that draws many people in is the simple fact that FNPs can work in such a wide range of healthcare settings. This makes it a popular choice for those who want to have some freedom when it comes to choosing where to work and what populations they wish to serve.
Common Healthcare Settings for FNPs
So, what are some of the most common places where FNPs are employed? A lot of them work in doctors’ offices and hospitals. However, it is also relatively common to find FNPs working in the following settings:
- Schools and college campuses
- Hospices
- Correctional facilities
- Urgent care facilities
- Community health centers
- Women’s health centers
- Long-term nursing care facilities
- Nursing and retirement homes
Specialized Fields Within Family Nursing Practice
Another lucrative aspect of working as an FNP is that there are also many different specializations and concentrations that you can focus on based on your own unique interests and career goals. For instance, it is not uncommon FNPs to study specific areas of medicine like women’s health, cardiology, or pediatrics. With a specialization, you can explore additional educational opportunities and ultimately work with the exact populations you are most eager to serve. In some cases, you might even have the chance to earn additional certifications in these areas, which can help you build your credentials and boost your resume.
Of course, you don’t need to choose a specialization to work as an FNP. Many end up working in more generalized preventative care, and there’s nothing wrong with that either.
Can FNPs Prescribe Medication in All States?
While many states allow FNPs to prescribe medication, there are states where this is not permitted. According to the American Medical Association, some states require supervision and permission from a doctor/physician in order for an FNP to have prescriptive authority. Examples of states where this applies include Alabama, Arkansas, California, and Colorado. Even in states where FNPs do have prescriptive authority, it is often necessary to get permission from a doctor before prescribing a controlled substance.
How Do FNPs Differ From Physicians?
While both FNPs and physicians can provide primary and preventative care, the main difference is that a physician has a doctorate-level degree. FNPs, on the other hand, are only required to carry a master’s degree. Meanwhile, physicians require more training and always have prescriptive authority, while this may not be the case with an FNP. To illustrate, some FNPs can complete their degrees and training in as little as six years, compared to a decade or more for doctorate degree holders.
How Can an FNP Advance Their Career to the Next Level?
For FNPs already in the field and looking to make the most of their experience, pursuing additional certifications and designations is often a good way to advance one’s career. This is especially true if you have an interest in working with a specific population or in working in a certain area of medicine. Similarly, staying on top of the latest changes and innovations in the industry is also a must if you want to maintain a competitive edge on others in the field while staying informed and always providing the best patient care.
Considering Becoming an FNP?
Working as a family nurse practitioner can be very rewarding, especially if you enjoy being directly involved in your patients’ care and making a real difference in others’ lives. At the same time, it’s important to understand the scope of practice of an FNP especially as it relates to your state.
If you’re interested in working as a family nurse practitioner, the first step is an advanced practice degree from the right school. At Marymount University, we’re proud to offer an online MSN-FNP program that provides students with the foundational skills and knowledge they need to pursue their FNP licensure. Plus, this program is offered entirely online, so you can work toward your degree while maintaining your current job and other obligations.
Get in touch today to learn more about Marymount University’s online FNP program, or feel free to get started with your online application.
Sources
https://info.marymount.edu/apply-to-marymount
https://nursejournal.org/articles/nurse-practitioner-prescriptive-authority-by-state/
