Family Nurse Practitioner Programs In California
Possibly the broadest of the practice nurse career choices is that of the family nurse practitioner, or the FNP. A family nurse practitioner may treat any age patient, from infant to elderly. The focus is on the family, as the name connotes. This career decision offers a great deal of autonomy, and gives you the chance to get to know your patients and work with them very closely.
What Is The Family Nurse Practitioner Job Description?
You can find a family nurse practitioner (female or male) in a variety of environments, but most commonly, in a family practice setting. A family nurse practitioner is able to set up his or her own practice, just as a physician would. As an FNP, your duties will include helping your patients maintain wellness, through regular physical exams and by making recommendations to help them improve their health. In addition, you may be involved in diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses, such as strep throat and influenza, and diabetes and high blood pressure. This is a great career choice for someone in the nursing field who would like to work independently. While a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner & Neonatal Nurse Practitioner will typically work closely and in collaboration with physicians, the FNP often works without a physician’s oversight.
A family nurse practitioner may also be found employed at resorts, on cruise ships, and anywhere else where families may need care away from home. Because you would be able to order lab tests and prescribe medication, you could provide the care and referral services your patients might need. The Nurse Practitioner job description is very similar to that of a Primary Care Physician.
Family Nurse Practitioner Job Outlook
As the cost of health care rises and doctor’s offices, insurance companies, and patients are seeking ways to cut corners without giving up exceptional medical care, the demand for nurse practitioners in general is rising faster than the supply of practice nurses can fill. Family practice nurses, in general, are sought after, both as supplements to a physician’s staff and as the proprietor of one’s own practice. The average salary for a family nurse practitioner ranges from $67,000 to $92,000, depending on your geographical region and whether you choose employment in the private sector or in public health care. Public health care clinics hire family nurse practitioners because, while they demand higher salaries than do registered nurses, they are still far less expensive than physicians.
Family Nurse Practitioner Education And Training Requirements
If you are already a nurse, then you have an associates or a bachelors degree in nursing. A nurse practitioner must carry a masters degree. There are accredited programs available that will help you bridge your associates degree and your masters degree, so you can streamline your education process through your bachelors degree. If you hold your bachelors degree already, you will simply need to complete a masters in nursing program, your masters thesis, and your clinical experience hours. Nurse Practitioner programs in California are offered at many Cal State Universities. The Nurse Practitioner program in Bakersfield is offered through Cal State University Bakersfield.
The beginning of your masters program will include a host of general classes like nursing theory, pharmacology, and so on. When it is time to declare a specialization, you will need to take both adult health care classes and child health care classes. Your thesis will be related to the topic of family medicine, and you will need to complete a predetermined number of clinical hours. Upon completion of your advanced degree, you will need to pass a licensing test that is administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Counsel. You must renew your license every five years.
Of course, if you have chosen this career path and have not yet begun one of the Nurse Practitioner Schools In California, you will need to complete a bachelor of nursing program, followed by a masters program, thesis, and clinical work experience. While this may seem like a lot of time and a substantial investment, the higher salary levels and greater job autonomy generally make the endeavor worthwhile.
Would You Make A Good Family Nurse Practitioner?
There are certain traits and innate skills that are advantageous to someone who chooses a career as a family nurse practitioner. First, it is important to be very organized. You will be treating patients of all ages, which means that you will be working with a wide variety of labs, specialists, and other medical professionals. You should be able and eager to work independently, and you should have a penchant for building relationships with your patients. As an FNP, you may have the same patients from infancy through retirement and beyond.
A family nurse practitioner is able to keep flexible hours, and is thorough in his or her examinations. If you are managing your own practice, you will often be the final word on the overall health of your patients; they will be relying on you for your insightful recommendations regarding their health and well being. With this, communication skills are of paramount importance, as are compassion and empathy. Unfortunately, family doctors and family nurse practitioners are often the central point of communication for families in medical crisis, and they will look to you for knowledge as well as support.
Nurse Practitioner Program In Bakersfield Ca
Cal State Bakersfield offers a Nurse Practitioner program.