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What is a Family Practice Nurse?

Family Practice Nurse degree or Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) degree is a branch of nursing emphasizing both comprehensive and continuous care for a family and their family members for all genders, ages, diseases, and body systems.

A Family Practice Nurse is a division of primary care nursing focused on a holistic health approach placing weighted consideration for the patient within context of family and community with a trained eye towards health and disease prevention.

Family Practice Nursing involves working directly with patients and help identify and solve problems.  The Family Practice Nurse profession fuses compassion, technology, science, and medicine into a fulfilling vocation.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$200,810

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

81.54%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

122,970

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Family Practice Nurse Degree

Qualifying students can earn an in-demand top degree in FNP or family practice nursing at Yale University. This university caters to interested students focused on meeting the ever-evolving needs of the world in which we live – including the top ranked family practice nurse degree. Yale University is widely touted as a world leader in academics and the nursing program is no exception to that standard.  The university offers a variety of FPN degree nurse programs that range from undergraduate to Masters up to a doctorate degree. The doctor program and nurse program of choice is entirely a personal decision as you map out a career path in this exciting subset of nursing to help others in need.  

Acceptance Rate

6.08

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Students may be able to earn a FNP degree in family nursing in a span of two years at the University of Pennsylvania depending on qualifications and academic focus.  Qualifying students will need to comply with the school’s published academic nurse requirements and chart a path to compress the program into a two-year stretch.  UPenn will provide students the tools and knowledge from a diverse clinical doctor experience in an effort to prepare future graduates with the skills needed to succeed in a variety of family practice nursing applications.  Students interested can reach out to the university to collect information about their top-rated nursing degree programs and FNP practice pathways.   

Acceptance Rate

7.66

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

As with most top-tier universities around the country, qualifying FNP students can elect to earn a variety of degrees that range from undergraduate to master’s up to a doctor degree at Duke University.  The academic programs found at Duke are frequently rated top in the nation with the School of Nursing being no exception.  Curriculum at Duke will expose a future nurse to proper training and skills to enter the field of family practice nursing.  As part of the core academics of this program, FPN practice students will learn how to best help patients of different genders, ages, and diseases alongside a doctor and various support nurse staff.  

Acceptance Rate

7.6

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Vanderbilt University offers a top-rated family practice nurse degree program for those who want to make a substantive difference in the healthcare industry. FPN professionals help comfort and treat patients of all ages from infants to senior years with trained nurse and doctor staff. Meanwhile, the types of illnesses FNP nurses can be exposed to range from acute to chronic in nature.  A FNP student must be prepared to understand the various aspects of disease management, health education, and a variety of other vital healthcare services as a doctor or nurse. 

Acceptance Rate

9.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

The University of Virginia is known for developing the students’ personal and professional growth as well as enhances their skills through its world-class academic programs. It houses more than 20,000 students on its suburban campus located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The university’s Department of Family Medicine provides FNP nurse students with exciting programs such as family medicine residency and family nursing. It aims to help students learn to be competent and caring physicians regardless of practice setting or specialty. 

Acceptance Rate

23.94

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Founded in 1880, the University of Southern California has been recognized as one of the leading institutions that provide outstanding research and academic programs for the people of Los Angeles, the states, and the world. It is also known for offering high-quality practice programs that lead to a successful professional career. Students who are interested to enroll in the university’s medical programs can choose to apply for the nursing department and earn a master’s or bachelor’s degree. The university also provides students with flexible schedules by offering online and evening classes. 

Acceptance Rate

11.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Based in Atlanta, Emory University continues to curate top ranked nursing degree programs compared to other colleges and universities in the United States.  The hands-on training and intense curriculum help to prepare students for the future iterations of healthcare.  The rigid training and career-focused nursing department by tenured professors share industry knowledge and continue to publish material to underscore their collective thought leadership in the nursing industry.  Learn more about the Emory University nursing programs today by visiting their website for admissions and academic programs.  

Acceptance Rate

15.6

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Advanced Practice Nursing programs and family practice nursing are two of the most in-demand careers in our economy today.  As a result of this trend, administrators at Boston College continue to double-down on efforts to keep their programs at the leading edge of nursing and produce some of the best and brightest in the field.  The curricula and course rigor help prepare students of all ages the requisite knowledge and skills to succeed in a rapidly growing nursing field.  The continuum of care for nursing includes helping patients understand and prepare for the future through proper care, proper evaluation, ongoing management, and a suite of preventive services. Boston College help to ensure students and graduates equipped with the tools to succeed during the undergraduate and graduate-level nursing programs.   

Acceptance Rate

27.22

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Villanova University is based in Villanova, PA and has a rich tradition of robust healthcare programs which includes a top-rated family nurse practitioner degree.  This master’s degree program is a rigorous program that includes core classes in ethics, nursing research, developmental science, and nursing leadership.  Students then take supporting courses such as advanced physical assessment, advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, and issues across the lifespan prior to any clinically-based courses.  To learn more about the course catalogue, nursing practitioner degrees, and admissions criteria please visit the school’s website or simply request information via our expansive portal.   

Acceptance Rate

28.24

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

The University of Rochester offers a top-rated degree in family practice nursing for qualified students interested in making nursing a vocational pathway.  The university provides exceptional hands-on training in addition to robust clinical experiences to ensure the students are well-prepared when they graduate. UR offers a variety of nursing degrees and pathways beyond the undergraduate level for those poised to earn a master’s and/or doctorate degree. As with most degree pathways, the higher level of academic achievement the greater the average income one can attain.  

Acceptance Rate

29.71

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

UC Irvine has a top ranked degree in family practice nursing that leads the entire UC college system.  The degree program at Irvine for family practice nursing is constructed to help students focused on earning a degree around three years to complete. Depending on your career trajectory and qualifications, some students are required to start a nursing degree at the undergraduate level while others may be able to enter into a Master’s degree or doctorate degrees level.  In the end, all applicable programs will help to teach students requisite clinical and theoretical applications as a means of preparation for the real world outside school.   

Acceptance Rate

26.54

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

The Frances Payne Bolton School of Family Nursing at Case Western Reserve University is touted as one of the best PhD programs in the country.  The PhD program at Case Western is a research doctorate that differs substantially from the clinical doctorate in nursing (DNP).  Graduate students are charged with selecting from a core list of areas of emphasis that include: family care, community care, symptom science, aging across the lifespan, neuroscience, and self-managing health.  Reach out today to learn more about the program requirements, research opportunities, and Case Western program guidelines. 

Acceptance Rate

27.36

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

The University of Miami is a top rated university in several academic domains displayed through our most recent study.  The arena of family practice nursing is no exception.  As a subset of the School of Nursing, the University of Miami offers a range of programs for nascent students in addition to graduate-level programs for working professionals.  UM’s family practice nursing program can be  completed in as little as three semesters full-time. On the other hand, part-time students will take longer depending on the number of credits taken per semester.  Students may elect to earn a family practice nursing degree from the University of Miami’s and step directly into the workforce or continue on to earn a graduate degree in nursing that can compound your knowledge in the field.   

Acceptance Rate

27.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

The University of Texas at Austin is a highly acclaimed higher education institution with exceptional degree programs for undergraduate students and graduate students alike.  Within the UTHealth department, the Cizik School of Nursing offers both a masters-level and post-graduate online degrees in family practice nursing.  UT Health students in the FNP program can expect to learn how to properly care for individuals across the lifespan with an emphasis on primary care in an outpatient setting.  School administration focuses on health promotion, reducing health risks, preventing diseases, and managing illnesses.    

Acceptance Rate

31.82

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

The UC Davis FNP nursing department rounds out our top ten best colleges for budding family practice nursing students. The University of California-Davis is historically known for its science and agriculture departments. That being said, the nursing program is a top-tier academic program that continues to gain national prominence while other learning domains at the university continue to gain strength.  Davis nursing students will build a strong academic foundation in conjunction with clinical knowledge in an ever-changing healthcare industry.  Family nurse practitioners acquire knowledge under the tutelage of highly regarded professors to help patients of all genders, ages, and disease profiles.  

Acceptance Rate

38.87

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

George Washington University will prepare students to become registered family practice nurses someday. The training for primary healthcare will concern adults and kids who are suffering from a variety of illnesses and diseases. Students will be trained for care for the mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, and social health of patients and their families.  Students are also prepared to become future FPN leaders of this specialized nursing field of study.  

Acceptance Rate

40.84

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

The College of New Jersey is a school that enhances knowledge, training, and skills for students to become a registered nurse. The college’s School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science program is one of the best in the country.  The student can study on a full-time or part-time basis Depending on qualification, schedule, and cost considerations.   Studying full-time will typically take four years to complete while a part-time student will take longer depending on course availability and focus on school.  The College of NJ’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is a program at the college that will often consummate in students becoming adult primary care nurses or gerontological primary care nurses.  Curriculum is focused on real-world applications ranging from pharmacology and pathophysiology to holistic health and family systems.  

Acceptance Rate

49.28

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

The Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the State University of New York Binghamton University provides students with academic nursing pathways from the certificate level up through a doctorate degree.  A quick cross-section of students this past year reveals that many enrolled students are full time RN’s attending Binghamton part-time in their DNP or MS.  In addition to the core curriculum offered at SUNY Binghamton, the school offers an Innovative Simulation and Practice Center that is accredited via the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH).  To learn more about the academic and professional requirements of each program offered by the university, please visit the school’s graduate school portal.    

Acceptance Rate

40.53

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Texas Christian University was established by the Clark brothers in 1873. It has a 325-acre campus located in Fort Worth, Texas that houses over 10,000 students each semester. Students who are interested to become family nurses can enroll in the family nurse practitioner program offered by the university. Throughout it, students will learn preventive health service, management and diagnosis of acute illness, prescribing medications, counseling, and treatments.

Acceptance Rate

47.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

The 703-acre campus of the University of Washington in Seattle accommodates more than 45,000 students each year. Students can participate in various activities and academics such as the family nurse practitioner program. Students who are enrolled in the FNP nurse will work in a variety of sites and settings including internal medicine, oncology, cardiology, urgent care, gastroenterology, primary care, and many more. The program prepares students to perform health assessments, promote health and disease prevention, prescribe, and act as leaders in the field. In addition, students must also be willing to study full-time to enroll in the program. 

Acceptance Rate

51.76

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Baylor University is one of the best nursing schools for FPN (Family Practice Nursing) in the United States. Students are required to complete 2 years of upper-division specialist coursework in the school, situated at the campus of Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.  Baylor is known for their world-renown curricular design, top-tier instruction and leading research hospital.  As a result of these world-class factors, students get ready-access to the country’s best and brightest plus networking opportunities to help advance their careers in healthcare.  The college's pre-nursing curriculum combines liberal arts with behavioral and natural science courses. Students may elect to take their required BSN or DNP classes in Waco while others may prefer the Dallas campus.

Acceptance Rate

45.33

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

The Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science at the University of San Diego offers a nationally accredited family nurse practitioner degree.  Graduates of USD’s FNP program are eligible for certification by ANCC or AANP.  The 78 unit FNP program provides nurses with advanced skills and practical knowledge to help manage health and wellness of individuals across the life span in a number of different primary care arenas.  Most students can lead conversations related to patient disease prevention, health promotion, and restoration.  Family nurse practitioners can find gainful employment in settings such as school health centers, private clinics, student health offices, private clinics, retail health services, prisons, and under-served communities across the country.   

Acceptance Rate

48.69

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Known as one of the best institutions that provide excellent medicine programs is the Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science. It was founded in the year 1966 and is located in Los Angeles, California. Students who aim to become a family nurse practitioner can enroll in the master’s and post-master’s certificate program that concentrates on the same field. Students will also experience collaborative and transformative full-time online learning, taught by the industry’s professionals. Upon completion, the program will enable the students' ability to promote clinical management and disease prevention of primary care conditions. 

Acceptance Rate

31.64

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Fairfield University currently serves more than 5,000 graduate and undergraduate students on its campus in Fairfield, Connecticut. It offers more than 48 diverse academic degree majors and minors that help students to achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals. Students who are enrolled in the family nurse practitioner program are taught by dedicated faculty that provides holistic care and advanced practice nurses to individuals. Throughout the program, students are also allowed to work side-by-side with real-life professionals to develop their skills in patient care, disease prevention, and health promotion. 

Acceptance Rate

57.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Stony Brook University offers a top family nurse practitioner degree pathway.  This program is curated to help nurses become expert providers of primary health care to patients in a variety of professional settings across the lifespan.  FNP’s help manage acute and chronic issues via restoration, maintenance, supervision, and promotion.  Graduates from the Stony Brook FNP program can be expected to competently integrate scientific findings, apply applicable safety measures, demonstrate high-level leadership, ethically leverage data, possess political efficacy, and synthesize viable determinants of health for the benefit of each patient.  

Acceptance Rate

44.15

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Is an FNP an APRN or RN?

A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is an APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) providing a full suite of healthcare for individuals and families of all ages. Family Nurse Practitioners provide preventative healthcare, well checks, health assessments, screenings, physicals, counseling, and education for a range of patients.

FNPs are also trained to diagnose and treat both chronic and acute illness for patients of all ages and body systems. In terms of work setting, a Family Nurse Practitioner can be found in private offices, clinics, hospice facilities, homes, schools, and community health centers.

What Does a Family Practice Nurse Do?

Upon completion of a formal nurse practitioner program, students will be expected to perform a full range of duties depending on the clinic, hospital, and/or medical facility. In most cases, an FNP will be tasked with performing the following set of job responsibilities:

  1. Independently screen, educate, manage & diagnose patients
  2. Provide care for your own panel of patients
  3. Be licensed to care for patients of all ages
  4. Independently prescribe medications
  5. Manage patients along with specialty doctors, as needed

How Do You Become a Family Nurse?

A family nurse practitioner is a nurse practitioner that has earned a specialty in family medicine. In most cases, a FNP will have substantive experience working as a Registered Nurse before going back to school to earn a masters degree.

By earning a masters degree in nursing, you will become an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). An APN is a nurse specialist with a doctorate or masters degree in nursing trained to provide healthcare services often provided by physicians. The four types of APNs in the nursing practice include the following:

1. Certified Nurse Practitioners

A CNP or Certified Nurse Practitioners are a type of APRN working side-by-side with physicians, performing medical research and advocating for patients. CNPs may elect to specialize in various sub-categories of healthcare such as: family care, pediatrics, oncology, womens health, cardiology, surgical services, and pain management. Certified Nurse Practitioners and a Care Nurse Practitioner work in an array of settings like small clinics, home care, nursing practice, physicians offices, and hospitals.

2. Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

Certified Nurse Midwife fuses the work of a midwife with that of a gynecologist. A Certified Nurse Midwife is very active in the overall management of a womans health and will provide exams and consultations in a medical office or in a home. CNMs will typically have the autonomy to make critical care and health care decisions.

3. Clinical Nurse Specialists

A CNS or Clinical Nurse Specialist the final type of APN and is authorized to provide specialty care or primary patient care. Examples of specialized care include differing domains such as: care type (psychiatric, pediatric), medical setting (emergency room, clinic), demographic (elderly, children), disease type (diabetes, oncology), and medical concentration (stress, pain).

4. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA)

A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is an APN providing anesthesia to patients from the infirm to healthy individuals. A CRNA can work in nursing care facilities, private clinic, public healthcare institution, home care, physicians office, hospitals, school, or military facility.

In order to become a Family Nurse Practitioner or care nurse practitioner, you will need to earn a Masters Degree in Nursing or a Doctorate Degree in Nursing from an accredited, state nursing board approved school. After earning a nurse practitioner msn, you will need to receive a nursing practice certification to practice in your state of residence by the AANP or ANCC.

Health Nurse: Medical Nursing School Programs

In terms of educational requirements, Family Practice Nurse degree holders will have typically studied the following nursing practice courses while in college:

Where Do Family Nurse Practitioners Work?

Graduates from an accredited nursing practice program or care nurse practitioner program will be able to work independently and as part of a medical team for the benefit of a patient. The work settings of a FNP will vary by area of concentration, employment opportunities, and career preferences. A common list of work settings and disciplines available to a family practice nurse include the following:

Primary Care Veterans health
Long-term Care facilities Urgent Care
Pediatric Primary Care Gastroenterology
Internal Medicine Womens Health
Family Practice Oncology
ER/Trauma Cardiology
Gerontology Perinatal
Orthopedics Neurology
HIV Care Dermatology

Job Responsibilities of a Family Nurse Practitioner

In a recent survey completed by the Department of Labor, Family Nurse Practitioners and care nurse practitioner from around the country provided insight into their job responsibilities. From region to region and job to job, a acute care nurse and FNP will likely be required to perform the following set of job duties and work responsibilities as part of their daily activities. The top 7 job responsibilities of a family nurse practitioner include:

  1. Manage acute illness and chronic health problems through differential diagnoses and a robust biological science foundation
  2. Analyze, prescribe, and manage a variety of therapies
  3. Provide comprehensive health screenings and assessments plus analyze and interpret those diagnostic procedures
  4. Lead activities and procedures within healthcare organizations
  5. Actively advocate FNPs and the nursing community
  6. Liaise with patients & family members to educate, promote good health, and disease prevention of all types
  7. Utilize impactful patient approaches (family, patient, developmental)

Nursing Degree Certifications

Upon completion of an accredited FNP program from an accredited institution, you will be eligible to take the Family Nurse Practitioner certification.  The FNP examination can be taken through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program or the American Nurses Credentialing Center.  Details about the FNP examinations are detailed below for your convenience:

AANP Certification

The AANP’s national certification for advanced practice nursing and family nurse practitioners and care nurse practitioner requires all applicants to meet these minimum requirements prior to taking the certification:

  • Have an active RN license in good standing
  • Earned a master’s, post-graduate, or doctorate degree from an accredited school
  • Completed 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours or more
  • Successfully taken advanced FNP classes in pathophysiology, physical assessments, health assessments, and pharmacology
ANCC Certification

The ANCC offers the FNP-BC certificate for applicants who have met or exceeded the following standards:

  • Have an active RN license in good standing
  • Earned a master’s, post-graduate, or doctorate degree from an accredited school
  • Completed 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours or more
  • Completed classes in disease prevention, disease management, health promotion, and differential diagnosis
  • Successfully taken advanced FNP classes in pathophysiology, physical assessments, health assessments, and pharmacology

Both the AANP and ANCC require a health nurse practitioner professional to recertify every 5 years in conjunction with specific clinical requirements and continuing education thresholds for your state of residence.

Nursing Practice, Doctor & FNP Specializations

For students that earn a college degree in advanced practice nursing and Family Practice Nurse, there are several fields of specialization that one can pursue.  The options range from Registered Nurse (RN), LPN, LVP, MRI Technologist, biological technician, pediatric nurse practitioner, microbiologist, biomedical engineer, medical scientist, nursing assistant, diagnostic medical sonographer, acute care nurse, nuclear medicine technologist, health nurse practitioner, primary care nurse, physician assistant, and vascular technologist.   Prospective career paths may require additional education, training, licensure, and certification.

States with the Highest Number of Family Nurse Practitioners
  • New York   13,060
  • California   12,740
  • Florida          8,940
  • Texas             8,890
  • Ohio              6,650
Top Paying States for Family Nurse Practitioners
  1. California             $124,330
  2. Alaska                   $121,250
  3. Massachusetts     $117,860
  4. Hawaii                   $117,180
  5. New Jersey            $115,230
Top Paying Cities for Family Nurse Practitioners
  1. Altoona, PA                $180,520
  2. San Francisco, CA     $158,050
  3. Salem, MA                  $155,320
  4. San Jose, CA               $145,480
  5. Vallejo, CA                  $142,210

FNP Jobs & Career Growth

Family nurse practitioner and advanced practice nursing jobs are trending well above average. In fact, FNP's and practice nursing immersion are projected to see a torrid 31% growth in jobs in the coming decade. This rapid growth translates to 64,200 new jobs in the coming decade. This amazing growth coupled with rising access to quality healthcare are excellent indicators of future FNP career opportunities.

Family Nurse Salary Profile

Mean annual salary of family practice nurses is $110,930 or $53.33 per hour. The top ten percent of FNP's average $145,630 a year while the bottom 10% average approximately $75,000 a year. Top paying states for family practice nurses and advanced practice nursing include California, Alaska, Hawaii, and Massachusetts. All four states average FNP salaries in excess of $120,000 per year. The top employers of FNP's is currently physician's offices, surgical hospitals, healthcare practitioners, outpatient care facilities, and universities.

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