There are several steps to becoming a family nurse practitioner (FNP). Education, certification and clinical practice are among the many requirements to be accepted to a nurse practitioner program.
how to become a family nurse practitioner
- Become a registered nurse (RN). To apply to an online FNP program, you must have completed a degree in registered nursing and be certified as a registered nurse in a U.S. state or territory. Passing the NCLEX-RN examination is required for certification as a registered nurse. Working one to two years before applying for a nurse practitioner program is highly recommended.
- Apply to accredited FNP programs. Look for programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). These must be master’s, postgraduate or doctoral programs.
- Complete your FNP program. According to the 2016 Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs, a minimum of 500 clinical, supervised patient care hours are required for all accredited FNP programs and future FNPs. Applicants must have completed graduate courses in physiology, health assessment and pharmacology to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification exam.
- Apply for the FNP Credential from ANCC or AANP. There are two certifications offered by different organizations, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
- The AANP Family Nurse Practitioner Certification exam is 150 questions assessing knowledge of health history, clinical decision-making, patient education, evidence-informed practice, and much more.
- The ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner Certification exam has 175-200 questions about assessments, pharmacotherapeutics, age-appropriate interventions, regulatory guidelines and more. Learn more about the difference between AANP and ANCC FNP exams.
- Apply to become a state-certified FNP. Becoming a family nurse practitioner may have additional requirements depending on the state. Go to our state’s nursing requirements page to find out how to apply in your area. Many of these applications can be submitted online.
Family Nurse Practitioner Roles and Responsibilities
Because of their high level of education, expertise and skill, family nurse practitioners (FNP) will often take on some of the roles of a physician. However, they will still generally work under the supervision of, or in close conjunction with, a physician. FNPs must be able to offer the care and support consistent with high-quality nursing to patients and families, diagnosing and treating patients across a wide variety of conditions. Here are some core responsibilities after becoming a family nurse practitioner:
Educate
FNPs are expected to educate their patients and the families of their patients. This can cover a wide variety of subjects, including childbirth and care for newborns with expectant mothers, methods for managing cholesterol or stress in aging patients, geriatric issues with the elderly, and many other topics. Education is the front line in the battle against preventable diseases.
Diagnose
A family nurse practitioner must be able to effectively diagnose patients across a wide variety of age ranges, which places them in the role of the diagnostician. FNPs often have access to the patient’s medical history and can order tests, and will combine all this information with physical symptoms to formulate an informed diagnosis.
Treatment
After diagnosing a patient, FNPs will provide treatment. These duties may vary on a state-to-state basis but mainly consist of ordering or performing diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, and treating any and all injuries or chronic illnesses that fall under primary care.
Learn more about nurse practitioner prescriptive authority.
Collaborate
Becoming an FNP requires a wide range of skills and training, but they do not work completely alone. It is paramount to the successful career of a family nurse practitioner to collaborate with fellow healthcare professionals to discuss best practices, tough decisions, and the results of treatments.
