Becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) means more career opportunities that come with immense responsibility. Thankfully, online DNP FNP programs available in Iowa make it easier to study from the comfort of your home while working full-time or part-time. If you are wondering whether getting an FNP degree is right for you, we will discuss several reasons why opting for this career is such a great choice.
What Is an FNP?
Family Nurse Practitioners are Registered Nurses (RNs) with advanced knowledge and specialized graduate certificates. They cater to people of all age groups, sex, race, and backgrounds.
FNPs specialize in caring for both families and individuals. Patients often maintain long-term connections with their FNPs. An FNP works independently, even with a team, and must have strong communication skills with an empathetic nature. The duties of an FNP include:
- Caring for people of diverse age ranges
- Treating and advising patients regarding good health, injury precautions, and disease prevention
- Diagnosing and treating illness, prescribing medication, and tests
- Conducting routine physical checkups and creating plans for preventive care and acute or chronic ailments
Reasons to Pursue a Career As an FNP
Leadership and Authority
Certain FNP duties are similar to that of a registered nurse. These include patient examination, monitoring health, and record keeping. Unlike RNs, they have additional qualifications, allowing them to diagnose diseases, create health plans, monitor acute or chronic conditions, and lead healthcare teams.
Greater responsibility allows FNPs to practice leadership with greater authority and administrative control. As a family physician, an FNP can directly prescribe medication to their patients without consulting another doctor or physician first. Even if they opt out of running their clinic, they can still land jobs with excellent leadership roles in fields like:
- Medical research
- Academics and teaching/mentoring
- Policy creation and advocacy
- Patient education
Career Stability and Patient Outreach
The Bureau Of Labor Statistics reports that healthcare jobs will increase by 36% from 2016 to 2026. This constantly-growing demand makes medical centers keen on hiring FNPs or nurses with higher qualifications. They also offer financial and career incentives to make them stay.
The best part is that since FNPs cater to patients for a lifetime, they keep coming back, which creates a great channel of steady income. Catering to patients throughout their lifetime also helps build strong bonds and increase job satisfaction. FNPs have a great responsibility as only about 87.1% of NPs are qualified for primary care, and 72.6% deliver. This means they are usually the main source for patients seeking primary health care.
Ease of Learning
Due to the advancement of modern technology and the COVID-19 pandemic, colleges and institutions realized the need for online programs and courses. Getting your FNP degree while continuing to work as a registered nurse has become much more convenient. NPs do not have to take career breaks while getting the degree and need not pay out of their pocket for the education, using their earnings to finance education instead.
Not only are students able to enroll in the semester of their choice, but they can also complete courses at their own time and pace. Once a student passes the exam and attains a degree, they can work toward getting a license.
Great Income
NP programs were ranked as the top 10 job growth contestants by CNN Money in 2009. Even the BLS predicted that a 23% increase in nursing jobs would occur between 2008 and 2018. The income prospects of FNPs are great.
- Nurse practitioners earn significantly more than RNs. This also varies by region, experience, and specialty.
- The National Salary Survey reports that the average NP salary is $90,000 annually.
- Difficult-to-fill posts often pay more and come with even more incentives.
- Bonus packages are offered to FNPs if a location swap is required.
Endnote
Opting for a career in nursing is great if you wish to earn a generous income, create bonds with your patients and cater to humanity. Not only can you treat illnesses, but you can also save lives and cure chronic conditions. The best part is that the degree can also be obtained online, allowing you to continue practicing as a nurse while studying on the side. This is convenient if your job is your main income source, helping you save time and money while pursuing your dreams.
