Medically reviewed by:Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with specialized graduate educations who provide primary health care services to people of all ages.
With a focus on health promotion and health education, Family Nurse Practitioners fill a crucial role in the health care system. They provide patient care to individuals and families with diverse backgrounds throughout their lifespans.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge. Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details. At Ohio University, we provide aspiring and current nursing professionals programs and credentials that will help them launch their careers and advance toward leadership positions. Enrollment: Nationwide, except AL, AZ, CO, DE, GA, IA, ID, KS, LA, MD, ND, NE, NY, OK, OR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, and WY Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the School of Nursing has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. Georgetown's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care. Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA. GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals. Enrollment: Nationwide WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees. Enrollment: NationwidePopular Online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Programs
CCNE
Online
RN Required
CCNE
Online
RN Required
CCNE
RN Required
CCNE
Online
RN Required
CCNE
Online
RN Required
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Part One What is a Family Nurse Practitioner?
FNPs provide services for individuals and families throughout their lifespans. This can be especially rewarding for those who enjoy developing long-term relationships and getting to know people over time. FNPs can have rewarding careers professionally, personally, and financially.
Being a Family Nurse Practitioner is all about delivering family-focused care. That means that they'll care for patients ranging from infants to the elderly and every age in between.
Part Two What Do Family Nurse Practitioners Do?
The healthcare services that an FNP provides are multifaceted and always patient-facing. In addition to treating illness and injuries, it also offers the opportunity to teach people about healthy lifestyle habits and disease prevention.
FNPs are frequently the primary care provider for families, which means that they will not only diagnose conditions, but also treat them.
What do family nurse practitioners do? FNP duties include:
- Assessment and diagnosis of health conditions
- Conducting routine physicals
- Developing and carrying out treatment plans for acute and chronic illnesses
- Providing primary health care with an emphasis on preventative care
- Prescribing medications and other therapies
- Ordering and interpreting lab and other diagnostic tests
- Assisting in minor surgeries
- Making appropriate referrals when needed
FNPs must be able to work independently as well as able to collaborate with others on the healthcare team. Having strong communication skills and an empathetic nature are also helpful characteristics.
>> Show Me Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
Part Three Family Nurse Practitioner Salary
APRNscommand higher salaries than registered nurses, and this holds true for family nurse practitioners. According to Salary.com, the average family nurse practitioner salary in July 2024 is $124,900, but the range falls between $115,900 and $135,690.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in 2023, the median annual income for nurse practitioners was $128,490 per year.
FNPs should think about many employment factors, such as local cost of living and total benefits package (health and dental insurance, retirement benefits, educational benefits, and others). Search for positions in the location where you want to work to find out more about the specific FNP salary ranges in your area.
Nurse practitioners who wish to set up a lucrative private practice will need to evaluate the local market, obtain professional advice from their accountants and legal professionals, and create a solid business plan.
Highest Paying States for Family Nurse Practitioners
The BLS reports that in 2022 the highest-paying states for nurse practitioners were:
- California - $161,540
- Nevada - $136,230
- Washington - $145,100
- New Jersey - $145,030
- Oregon - $144,950
Highest Paying Cities for Family Nurse Practitioners
The BLS also reported that the top five metropolitan areas for nurse practitioner pay were:
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA - $191,250
- Napa, CA - $187,640
- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA - $186,730
- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA - $183,120
- Salinas, CA - $162,760
>> Show Me Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
Part Four How to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner
It can take eight to ten years to become a family nurse practitioner. After earning your 4-year BSN and gaining at least two years of relevant nursing experience, your graduate nursing program will take an additional two to four years to complete.
Fortunately, FNP tracks are among the easiest nurse practitioner programs to get into because they're abundant. Almost every school with a graduate nursing program is guaranteed to have an FNP track.
In this section, we'll explore the steps to becoming a family nurse practitioner in more detail.
STEP ONE: Become a Registered Nurse
Before pursuing a career as an FNP, you must become a registered nurse. Although you can earn RN licensure through a two-year associate degree program. However, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the gold standard for registered nursing education. BSN nurses often have an easier time getting hired and earn higher salaries than ADN nurses.
STEP TWO: Get Licensed as a Registered Nurse
To get your RN license, you need to pass the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination), a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States and Canada.
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STEP THREE: Gain RN Experience
Most nurses work for a few years, gaining valuable experience in patient care. For those interested in becoming an FNP, this is when you can gain exposure to a diverse range of patients and focus on becoming familiar with cradle-to-grave care.
STEP FOUR: Earn Your MSN or DNP
Family nurse practitioner programs culminate in a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. Notably, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) aims to make the DNP the minimum standard for entry-level nurse practitioners by 2025. However, it is uncertain when that transition may actually occur.
Learn about your FNP degree options with Nurse.org's program guides:
- MSN FNP vs DNP FNP: Which Degree is Right for You?
- Affordable Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
- Top Family Nurse Practitioner Programs 2025
FNP Program Coursework
Most nursing schools have full and part-time programs, and many offer the option of taking classes in traditional campus settings or online. Nursing programs that prepare you for the FNP role will include courses in the following:
- Advanced Clinical Diagnosis and Practice across the Lifespan
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Differential Diagnosis and Primary Care
- Epidemiology
- Leadership and Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse
- Population Health
- Primary Care of Childbearing and Practicum
Programs will include both classroom didactic learning and hands-on patient clinical learning.
STEP FIVE: Become Certified in Family Practice
In order to become a certified Family Nurse Practitioner, you need to become certified by earning either your FNP-C or FNP-BC certification. Your state board of nursing may have a preference, so it is a good idea to check with them beforehand. The FNP-BC examination is offered by the ANCC while the FNP-C examination is offered by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPC).
FNP Certification Requirements
FNP certification exams are conducted online. No matter which you take, you must have:
- A current, active RN license in a state or territory of the U.S. or the equivalent in another country
- A Master’s, postgraduate, or doctoral degree from an FNP program accredited by the CCNE or the ACEN
- At least 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours and completion of comprehensive graduate-level courses in advanced physiology/ pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology
FNP Recertification
Recertification is required every five years. You are also required to maintain an active RN license with your state board of nursing according to its requirements for practice and continuing education.
Our Continuing Education Guide can provide information regarding each state’s requirements for renewing RN licensure.
Regarding FNP recertification, your certifying organization has specific requirements for renewal, so be sure you’re on top of those, as well as prepared to pay any fees. Both the ANCC and AANP require a certain number of clinical practice hours and CE credits.
>> Show Me Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
Part Five Top Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
For a listing of programs nationally, check the listing provided on the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)website, searchable by state.
If you’re searching for top-ranked nursing master's programs, check out this list of the top family nurse practitioner programs. Here are the top 5 results:
- Tuition: $1,224 per credit hour
- Admissions: Rolling
- Degree Awarded: MSN
- Tuition: $2,075 per credit hour
- Admissions: December 1st
- Degree Awarded: MSN
- Tuition: $1,740 per credit hour
- Admissions: April 15th or September 15th
- Degree Awarded: MSN
- Admissions: December 1st
- Degree Awarded: MSN
- Program Cost:$640.83 per credit hour
- Admissions: Rolling but March 15th or October 15th is recommended
- Degree Awarded: MSN or DNP (MSN will be discontinued in fall 2024)
- Program Cost: $25,120 per academic year
Keep in mind that there are many accredited schools of nursing that can help you meet your career goals to become a family nurse practitioner. Looking for a more flexible option to become an FNP? Check out this list of the top online family nurse practitioner programs!
Popular Online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Programs
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
At Ohio University, we provide aspiring and current nursing professionals programs and credentials that will help them launch their careers and advance toward leadership positions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, except AL, AZ, CO, DE, GA, IA, ID, KS, LA, MD, ND, NE, NY, OK, OR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, and WY
Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the School of Nursing has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. Georgetown's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Part Six Day in the Life of a Family Nurse Practitioner
Therole of an FNP is very similar to that of a primary care physician.
- They will generally begin their day reviewing their patient schedule, making time for emergent situations.
- They generally see three or more patients an hour, reviewing charts beforehand and, upon meeting with patients, diagnosing conditions, conducting well-patient exams, prescribing medications and making referrals to specialists where appropriate.
- Most will try to spend a portion of each appointment having a one-on-one conversation with their patients so that they can establish a strong rapport.
>> Show Me Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
Part Seven Where Can a Family Nurse Practitioner Work?
Family nurse practitioners are recognized for their ability to work both collaboratively and independently. As a result, those who have earned this APRN degree are able to find career opportunities in a variety of settings, including:
- Academia
- Clinics
- Community health centers
- Correctional facilities
- Government sector
- Home health care
- Hospice centers
- Hospitals
- Long-term care facilities
- Nurse-managed health centers
- Outpatient care centers
- Private offices/private practice
- Urgent care centers
Notably, because nurse practitioners are able to work autonomously in most states throughout the country, they have been able to fill the significant gap in care available to patients in rural areas.
>> Show Me Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
Part Eight What Are The Continuing Education Requirements For Family Nurse Practitioners?
Clinical practice and continuing education requirements for renewing a nursing license, certification, and advanced practice certification vary by state and credentialing body. Check with your state board and credentialing agency for the rules on keeping your RN license and certification(s) up to date. You can also visit our CE Guide for details.
Part Nine Where Can I Learn More About Family Nurse Practitioners?
If you are interested in learning more about becoming an FNP, check out these organizations,
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners
- Doctors of Nursing Practice
- International Council of Nurse Practitioners
Additionally, Nurse.org is an invaluable resource. The articles listed below will provide you with answers to many of your questions about becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner:
- Family Nurse Practitioner Salary Guide
- Nurse Practitioner: MSN vs. DNP
- Top Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
Part Ten What is the Career Outlook for Family Nurse Practitioners?
The BLS predicts that there will be a 38% increase from 2022 - 2032. Unfortunately, the BLS doesn’t differentiate between FNPs and other types of NPs.
With baby boomer nurses nearing retirement, there will be a demand for new nurses to enter the profession. The growing health needs of our aging population also contribute to the need for more advanced practice nurses. Advanced practice nurses such as FNPs provide a cost-effective avenue for providing high-quality health services to more people, including underserved segments of the population.
>> Show Me Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
Part Eleven Family Nurse Practitioner Jobs
There are many sources to get you started in your search for family nurse practitioner positions, including our own job board. Check the “Careers” pages of websites for hospitals and agencies that interest you. Many online resources are also useful in job searching, including:
- Nursing social media sites
- Career sites
- Websites of professional organizations, and
- Dedicated nursing career sites
Use your professional network to find out where the good employers are, and to talk to a seasoned entrepreneur about the potential for setting up a private practice.
Popular Online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Programs
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY, RI and CT. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
At Ohio University, we provide aspiring and current nursing professionals programs and credentials that will help them launch their careers and advance toward leadership positions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, except AL, AZ, CO, DE, GA, IA, ID, KS, LA, MD, ND, NE, NY, OK, OR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, and WY
Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the School of Nursing has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. Georgetown's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Part Twelve Other Nurse Practitioner Specialties
- General Nurse Practitioner
- Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
- Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner
- Emergency Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
- Oncology Nurse Practitioner
