Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs

If you want to pursue an exciting career, enrolling in family nurse practitioner programs can be a great idea. These healthcare professionals provide primary or specialty care to patients. FNPs assess, treat, and monitor families' healthcare and work in various settings like colleges, hospitals, businesses and special clinics. They provide prescriptions in addition to ordering tests and treating different conditions as well. As there is a lot of demand for nurses across the country, getting into this field can lead you to lucrative opportunities. You will be able to have scores of growth prospects as well.

Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
To become a family nurse practitioner, you need to qualify as a registered nurse first. For this, you need to enroll in an associate's or bachelor's program in nursing. Once you become a RN, the next step is to enroll in a master of science in nursing. Masters program in nursing may span over 1-3 years and includes classroom instruction as well as clinical experience in medical settings. In addition, you must also earn licensure as RN. Doctor of nursing practice programs are also available to help you get into this field.

Family Nurse Practitioner Graduate Certificate
You can also go for a graduate certificate program in family nursing practice in case you already have previous education in concentration other than family nursing practice. Once you earn a master's degree, you can pursue these programs. Some of the courses you will study in this degree include advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacology, women and child care and adolescent and elderly care.

Coursework in FNP Programs
Some of the courses you will cover in a family nurse practitioner program may include family health management, critical issue management, nursing research methodology and pathophysiology. Curriculum may also include topics such as pharmacology for nurse practitioners, health delivery systems, and nursing informatics.

FNP Certification
Family nurse practitioner certification is offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. This body provides the FNP-BC credential for FNPs that pass an exam. Though this certification is voluntary, employers may prefer to hire FNPs with this with this certification to ensure that patients receive high quality care.

Career Prospects
As there is lot of demand for nurses across the country, pursuing a career as a FNP nurse can be a great option for you if you want to establish a promising career in healthcare. According to statistics, jobs for nurses are expected to grow by 22% between 2008 and 2018. This is why becoming a FNP can be a great idea. These nurses can earn competitive salaries and also enjoy a number of career benefits. On average, they can earn $60,000 on an annual basis.

Online Family Nurse Practitioner Schools
If you want to get into FNP programs but cannot manage regular classes, online education can be an option. A number of online schools offer nursing programs, allowing you to get into this profession at your own convenience. These programs can be an excellent learning option for those of you who already have jobs and seeking to switch their career or improve their existing prospects.