Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are registered nurses (RNs) who���ve undergone a minimum of a master���s-level education and specialized clinical training. Their scope of practice extends beyond that of an entry-level nurse or RN without a master���s degree in nursing (MSN).

Because the healthcare field is broad, it can be difficult to pinpoint which APRN specialty best fits you. If you���re looking to learn how to launch your NP career, selecting the right specialty is a decision that can shape the trajectory of your career and directly influence the communities you serve.

Whether you’re passionate about mental health, caring for older adults, or eager to provide comprehensive family care, this guide is designed to help you navigate the diverse range of APRN specialties.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your APRN Specialty

Selecting a specialty involves considering your personal interests, skills, and career aspirations. Taking the time now to properly align your goals will ease the transition into a specialized role. No matter which nurse practitioner specialties you���re exploring ��� whether it���s adult-gerontology primary care, psychiatric mental-health care, or something else ��� it���s worthwhile to consider the following factors.

Which Population You���d Like to Assist

As you evaluate your prospective nursing specialty, start by reflecting on the experiences that have shaped you as you pursue this career path. Have you felt a strong connection or sense of fulfillment when working with a specific patient population? Reflecting on what���s inspired you throughout your nursing journey can help guide you toward a population that aligns with your passions.

Whether you’re inclined towards caring for adolescents and adult patients or supporting the mental health of your community, you can choose a nursing specialty that positions you to make a difference in the lives of these populations.

Before selecting your specialization, it���s important to ensure that you understand the nuances that differentiate certain roles. For instance, while family nurse practitioners (FNP) and pediatric nurse practitioners (PNP) may seem one in the same, their roles diverge according to the populations they serve.

Where You Want to Work

Once you���ve identified a patient population (or populations) you���d like to serve, it���s a good idea to determine where you could see yourself thriving. Healthcare workers can be found across a . A few of these settings include:

• Academic/educational institutions
• Community health clinics
• Home health
• Hospice care
• Hospitals
• Outpatient clinics
• Private practices
• Psychiatric clinics
• Urgent care centers

Certain NP specialties are more relevant to certain environments. For example, family nurse practitioners and adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners typically work in settings like community health clinics or private practices where they can develop relationships with individuals and families across their lifespans. On the other hand psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners can provide 1:1 support and/or assist patients in psychiatric clinics or outpatient mental health centers.

Your Unique Skills and Interests

Assess your clinical expertise, communication skills, and specialized training to identify your strengths. Whether you excel in high-pressure settings or building lasting patient relationships, understanding your abilities can guide you toward a specialty that leverages your potential.

Your personal interests are equally important in selecting the right specialty. For example, a passion for mental health may lead you to become a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, while an interest in complex disease management could make an adult-gerontology acute care role a good fit.

Examples of APRN Specialties

As the healthcare landscape advances, so do the opportunities for nurse practitioners. To give you a sense of the wide variety of options available, here are some nurse practitioner specialties:

• Adult-Gerontology Specializations:
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP):  AGACNPs focus on managing critically ill patients within intensive care settings. They provide continuous patient monitoring, emergency interventions, and post-surgical care to ensure optimal patient outcomes in high-stress environments.
  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP): AGPCNPs focus on comprehensive health assessments, disease prevention, and patient education to promote the overall well-being of adolescents and adults of all ages. These professionals provide specialized services such as chronic disease management, acute health issue resolution, and holistic patient care to support continuous and comprehensive healthcare across the adult lifespan.

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): FNPs offer comprehensive care for patients of all ages, emphasizing preventive care and health education. They conduct routine check-ups, administer immunizations, and take holistic healthcare approaches.
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP): While similar to AGNPs and FNPs, PNPs specialize in providing care specifically to the pediatric patient population.
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP): PMHNPs specialize in conducting comprehensive mental health assessments, diagnosing psychiatric disorders, and providing effective treatments. They offer services that include psychotherapy, medication management, crisis intervention, and mental health education to promote the psychological well-being and overall mental health of their patients.
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP): WHNPs concentrate on reproductive health, gynecological issues, and overall wellness for women. These professionals offer specialized services such as prenatal care, family planning, menopause management, and treatment of gynecological disorders to support women throughout their lifespan.

Find Your Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Specialty at WCU

Wherever you are in your educational journey, WCU is here to help support you. Our RN to MSN programs, MSN programs, and Post-Master���s Certificate programs offer flexibility through online coursework so you can develop a schedule that works best for your needs.

Whether you���re interested in adult-gerontology, family care, or psychiatric-mental health care, you can work to build a strong foundation that helps equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in healthcare.

Discover your APRN specialty at 返字心頭 and toward advancing your education.

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Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) and adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioners (AGPCNPs) are both advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). This means that they possess at least a master���s degree in nursing (MSN) and have undergone advanced clinical training.

While both are well-equipped to deliver primary care, FNPs and AGPCNPs are uniquely qualified to serve specific patient populations.

Read on to learn more about the difference between FNPs and AGPCNPs as well as which career path may be the right fit for you.

What Does a Family Nurse Practitioner Do?

FNPs are advanced practice registered nurses who are qualified to provide comprehensive care to patients across their entire lifespan, from infancy to end-of-life. FNPs generally serve as the first point of contact for patients who are seeking healthcare services, treating individuals and families throughout their lives.

Dedicated to enhancing the wellness of their patients, FNPs focus on preventative care and holistic health approaches. As such, they do not work in acute care���medical treatment provided for short-term illnesses, injuries, or medical conditions that require immediate attention.

FNP’s work across , a few of the most common are listed below.

• Family practice clinics
• Specialty clinics
• Urgent Care
• Emergency departments (ED)
• Hospital clinics and chronic care units
• Retail clinics
• Palliative care settings
• Long-term care facilities
• House calls and home care companies

What Does an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Do?

AGPCNPs are advanced practice registered nurses who are qualified to assess, diagnose, and treat patients ranging from adolescents (starting at the age of 13) through older adulthood to end of life. Dedicated to enhancing the health and wellness of their patients, AGPCNPs focus on preventative care and holistic health approaches.

They may also support patients transitioning between care settings, which often involves
educating patients and caregivers on how to best maintain and/or monitor the patient���s health.

AGPCNP���s work in various environments, including:

• Clinics
• Hospitals/Urgent care
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Long-term care including homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, etc.
• Outpatient care centers
• Medical and physician offices

What is the Process of Becoming an FNP vs. AGPCNP?

The process of becoming an FNP or AGPCNP is similar although the content of the national certification examination will vary. To become certified, both prospective FNPs and AGPCNPs typically follow these three steps:

Step 1: Become a Registered Nurse

To become a registered nurse (RN), you must complete an accredited nursing program (Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)) and successfully pass the to obtain your license.

It���s important to note that all states require prospective RNs to hold a minimum of an ADN to qualify for their license. However, a growing number of states now require a BSN.

In states where a BSN is not required, registered nurses with an ADN are recommended to
enhance their qualifications to meet specific employer requirements by enrolling in an RN to
BSN program.

Step 2: Earn National Certification

In addition to holding an active RN license, you must become nationally certified as a FNP or
AGPCNP through an examination process via the or the .

To qualify for either examination, you must submit an application. Both the ANCC and AANP require you to submit the following to determine your eligibility:

• Proof of a current RN license
• Proof of completion of an accredited FNP or AGPCNP education program, including all supervised clinical practice hours
• Relevant transcripts
• An application fee

After successfully passing the exam, your national nurse practitioner certification will be valid for five years; however, to maintain certification, you must follow the renewal process detailed on the ANCC or AANP site.

Step 3: Apply for State Licensure

Following your RN licensure and your national certification as an FNP or AGPCNP, you must become licensed in the specific state where you plan to practice. As licensure requirements differ by state, it���s important to understand the requirements outlined by your state���s .

The application process for most state licensure requires a minimum of:

• Proof of a current RN license
• Proof of national FNP or AGPCNP certification
• Proof of the completion of an accredited FNP or AGPCNP program, including all supervised clinical practice hours
• An application fee

Deciding Which Educational Path Fits Your Needs

Although the general process of becoming a FNP or AGPCNP is similar, the specific coursework varies.

FNP programs typically offer a comprehensive range of pediatric courses, preparing practitioners to care for patients from infancy through the end-of-life. In contrast, AGPCNP programs focus on adolescent to adult care, generally excluding pediatric courses from their curriculum. Visit WCU���s catalog to learn more about and .

Once you���ve decided on the right fit for you, consider applying to an accredited nursing program that not only meets your state���s criteria to become an FNP or AGPCNP, but also aligns with your professional goals.

WCU Helps Support Students Through Their Educational Journey

No matter which path you choose, becoming an FNP or AGPCNP can empower you to lead a successful career. Both roles are fulfilling in their own way, offering opportunities to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of individuals and communities.

WCU���s online FNP specialization is available through the following programs:

• RN to MSN – FNP
• MSN – FNP
• Post-Master’s Certificate – FNP

The online AGPCNP specialization is available through the following programs:

• RN to MSN – AGPCNP
• MSN – AGPCNP
• Post-Master’s Certificate – AGPCNP

Visit one of the program pages above and submit a request for additional information to begin planning for a rewarding career

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返字心頭 alumna Nune Stepanyan is a three-time WCU graduate who dedicated herself to her education to achieve her dreams of becoming an entrepreneur in the healthcare field.

Dr. Stepanyan graduated from WCU with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2016, a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2019, and Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2021. She is currently the owner of in Los Angeles, California and is a nursing instructor at WCU.

Learn more about Dr. Stepanyan���s journey in this Q&A.

WCU: How has WCU helped you get to where you are today in your career?

Dr. Stepanyan: When I started my journey with WCU in 2014, my cohort consisted of a large majority of adult learners in their mid-to-late 20s. Most of us were on our second or even third career paths, feeling lost, apprehensive, and doubtful. WCU restored my faith in myself. WCU gave me the tools and network I needed to succeed not only in nursing but all aspects of the healthcare industry, which I exuberantly explored over the past seven years since completing my first program with WCU.

WCU: What path did you take to attain your career as a female business owner?

Dr. Stepanyan:  It may be old-fashioned and clich辿, but my parents always told me that education is one thing no one can take away from you and that always stuck with me. Education has always been a big part of my life ever since I can remember. From tutoring students to [being a] college professor, clinical educator in the ER, to finally international aesthetic injector/trainer.

I chose the path to obtain multiple advanced degrees to get me to where I am today. WCU is where I obtained my bachelor���s, master���s, FNP, and doctoral degrees, and without the backing of this solid education I received, I���m not sure I would be the successful female entrepreneur I am today.

WCU: Tell me more about your business.

Dr. Stepanyan: The Stepanyan Clinic is a place where EVERYONE is welcome to experience the luxuries of aesthetic medicine. We build customized treatment plans for every individual and believe in restoring confidence and empowering our patients to be the best versions of themselves. We specialize in neurotoxins such as Botox, Dysport, Juveau, and Daxxify, as well as dermal fillers for the natural enhancement of facial volume loss.

We also curate skin laser procedures, along with radiofrequency technology, to aid in what I call “pro-aging treatments.” Above all, we are a clinic comprised of a team of professionals who care, empathize, and value our patient’s goals and needs.

WCU: What has been the coolest part about your job so far?

Dr. Stepanyan: The coolest part of my job has been and will always be the impact I have on my patients��� day-to-day lives. The uplifting empowerment and confidence I can give women (and men) on a daily basis will never cease to amaze me.

WCU: Why is it important to you to hire WCU graduates?

Dr. Stepanyan: As a WCU alumnus, I know exactly what type of person it takes to complete this program. Our alumni are strong, intelligent, and resilient. These are the types of nurses and overall human beings we need in the healthcare industry, regardless of the specialty.

WCU: How does your job connect back to your coursework at WCU?

Dr. Stepanyan: WCU prepared me to be ready for the unexpected. In the ER, you never know what is going to walk through those doors. There were times when I didn���t think I was going to be able to complete the program, but I found myself pushing through, and that is exactly the type of grit it takes to make it in the healthcare industry both as a clinical practitioner and a business owner.

WCU: Were there any classes or professors that influenced where you are today?

Dr. Stepanyan: I believe Dr. Khan, who would refer to us nursing students as ���angels,��� is himself a walking angel on Earth. Instead of belittling and using his power and authority to scare students about what awaited us in the real world, Dr. Khan empowered us with his wealth of knowledge and gave us the confidence to become intelligent critical thinkers.

WCU: What advice do you have for students who want to follow in your path?

Dr. Stepanyan: Never, ever give up! Good things in life don���t come easy, and easy things aren���t always good. There will be times when you will take financial losses or personal losses, but when you are living/chasing your dreams, those losses won���t hold you back, and the wins will taste exponentially better.

WCU: Tell us about your experience as an instructor for WCU.

Dr. Stepanyan: This was one of my favorite jobs I ever had. My students have a special place in my heart because I got to witness firsthand people from all walks of life, ages, and experiences completing a program together. We went from the hospital setting to virtual learning, and let me tell you, the students really pulled it together during one of the toughest times the world has ever seen. It was truly inspiring.

WCU: Tell us about your involvement with the Alumni Association.

Dr. Stepanyan: The Alumni Association has expanded my network in a plethora of ways. I will never forget the very first event. It was pouring rain the night before my NCLEX exam, and we met at Arnie Morton���s in Burbank. That night, I met fellow alumni I have built lifelong relationships with. Every subsequent event has been better than the next. It is so important to celebrate our alumni���s accomplishments, provide scholarships for current and future alumni, and build a network as powerful as other top private institutions in the nation!

Visit our Alumni page to learn about the WCU Alumni Association and opportunities for connecting with other WCU graduates.

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Sally V. has never worked in a hospital setting. Instead, for the past seven years, she worked at a community clinic, calling public health her ���true calling.���

���My passion is community health,��� Sally said. ���I love establishing relationships with patients and their families.���

Sally might be the first medical professional in her family, but she said she wanted to be a nurse from the time she was young. She was drawn to the expansive nature of nursing, which was also a major draw for her to come to 返字心頭. She chose WCU after discovering its cohort-styled learning.

“I chose 返字心頭 because everyone was geared towards the same goal. I loved that it was a family. It���s the same group of people you stick with the whole journey. You develop bonds and help each other go through it.”

Sally V.

Sally graduated from WCU-Ontario with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2014. Now, she encourages others, telling them that they can pursue a nursing degree no matter what obstacles stand in their way.

���I didn���t know anyone in healthcare. I was a single mom also working almost full-time, over 30 hours a week,��� Sally said. ���If you want it and you���re motivated and believe in yourself��� you���ll make it happen.���

Sally leaned on her mother, who she said supported and cheered her on. At the same time, she balanced life as a single mom to her son, Anthony. She recalled that the flexible class schedules meant she was not on campus every day of the week. She also found her professors were experiencing similar responsibilities.

���You did get to develop a relationship with your professor, who was also a nurse and most of the time also a parent,��� she said. ���They were always available to provide more assistance.���

After completing an online Master of Public Health program in 2018, Sally began her Master of Science in Nursing program at 返字心頭.

���I submitted my final project on Sunday, and I started the Master of Science in Nursing program on Monday,��� she said. ���It just happened the terms lined up like that. Everyone was like, ���You���re crazy,��� but once I get my mind set on something, I go for it.���

Sally was inspired to continue in her education after working alongside a practicing physician at the community care clinic. She said the experience made her realize that she wanted to provide that level of care to her own patients.

���I wanted to be the provider where the patients say, ���Sally takes care of me and wants me to be healthy and is always there when I have questions,������ she said. ���In community health, there are so many barriers: homelessness, poverty, drug use, lack of transportation. I decided I wanted to be a provider, so I enrolled and just finished the Family Nurse Practitioner program in May of 2021.���

Sally said her cohort was there for each other, whether through Zoom study sessions, quizzing one another, or sharing flashcards. After finishing the program and passing their boards, Sally remembered how everyone celebrated getting through that challenging final year together.

���I felt so proud of these people I have only seen once,��� she said. ���Even though we���re hundreds, if not thousands, of miles apart, it was important to make it through together, to get to this point as a cohort, not just as individuals.���

The close, family-oriented cohort is a major reason why Sally advocates for others to consider attending 返字心頭.

���I���ve heard from other people that their nursing experience wasn���t as good. They didn���t develop those relationships like I did,��� Sally said. ���Not every school is the perfect fit for everyone, but this is why I chose West Coast and why I support and advocate for it.���

Now, Sally helps to foster that same bond with her own students. She became a nursing instructor at American Career College in January 2022.

As the president of the Ontario Alumni Chapter, Sally remains highly involved in her alma mater. Her best advice to anyone interested in nursing is to start today.

���Life never stops. It is always full of surprises,��� she said. ���You can���t wait. When people finally do the program they say, ���I should have done this earlier and shouldn���t have made so many excuses for myself.������

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All About FNPs, What They Do, Where They Practice, and How to Become One

A family nurse practitioner is exactly what it sounds like: an NP trained to practice family nursing. They provide comprehensive care across the spectrum of patient populations in a wide range of conditions, from preventative to chronic. FNPs assess, diagnose, and treat with a focus on health promotion, disease prevention, chronic disease management, urgent-emergency care, mental health care, long-term, hospice, and palliative care. The role of the FNP also extends into non-clinical settings such as administration, research, and teaching.

FNPs are also classified as advanced practice nurse practitioners (APNPs) and must be certified as such. There are two recognized certification exams. One is administered by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and certifies you as an FNP-C for clinical practice. The second is administered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and is concentrated on research and academia, for an FNP-BC.¹

What Does a Family Nurse Practitioner Do?

As an FNP, you���re responsible for delivering primary care across a range of age populations, providing preventative care and education, as well as assessing and treating acute and chronic conditions that fall within the purview of primary care. Many families opt for an FNP as their PCP, instead of an MD, since FNPs can perform the same primary care treatments.

Depending on your placement, can include:

• Routine physical examinations
• Assessing illness or injury, both chronic and acute
• Ordering and performing diagnostics
• Developing treatment plans
• Prescribing medications, including controlled substances
• Maintaining patient records
• Collaborating in care with specialists
• Patient education and wellness promotion

Where Do Family Nurse Practitioners Work?

FNPs practice in many types of different healthcare facilities, from large healthcare systems to their own private practice offices (in the nurse practitioners to have independent practices). These , but are not limited to:

• Family practices
• Internal medicine clinics
• Pediatric offices
• Specialty clinics
• Public health offices
• Emergency rooms
• Urgent care centers
• Home care
• Rehabilitation centers
• Long-term care centers
• Palliative and hospice care facilities
• Universities and colleges

Studying to Become an FNP Nurse

Becoming a family nurse practitioner requires an advanced degree that builds on an RN or BSN nursing degree. An accredited nursing school or university MSN-FNP program will offer a rigorous healthcare-focused curriculum of MSN core coursework and family nursing studies that may include such as:

• Policy, Organization and Finance
• Ethics in Healthcare
• Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology
• Adult and Geriatric Primary Care
• Women���s Health Primary Care
• Pediatric Primary Care
• Care Coordination
• Advanced Physical Assessment and Lab
• Advanced Pharmacology
• Research Utilization
• Advanced Healthcare Residency

Once you complete a Master of Science in Nursing to practice as a family nurse, you���ll need to pass two nursing licensure exams:

• The NCLEX-RN Exam
• An APNP Certification Exam ()

As an FNP, you also have the option to pursue certifications in subspecialties such as cardiology, dermatology, or oncology² to further advance your bona fides and focus your practice.

Because many MSN (or beyond) candidates are already working nurses, many institutions are offering online study and flexible scheduling to allow for degree advancement while the student is practicing. It���s also possible for nurses to pursue an FNP education through an online Post-Master���s Certificate program.

For more helpful articles about the field of nursing, keep following our blog.

Citations:

¹ https://nurse.org/education/fnpc-vs-fnpbc/

² https://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/certifications-guide/

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���My sister calls me ‘Half Dozen,’��� Marianne shared. ���By the time I���m done with school I���ll have half a dozen degrees.���

While working in the corporate sector, Marianne said she remembered watching her sister return from her nursing shifts at the hospital and wishing she could pursue a similar path. ���I would tell her, ���I just love medicine. It would be so cool to be in medicine.������

Her sister recommended Marianne volunteer at a clinical care extender program. Marianne thrived during her nearly 300 hours spent serving her community.

���There is a huge value to being in your community and getting exposed to so many things,��� Marianne said. ���Sometimes it���s the encouraging words you give a person working at a soup kitchen��it was a good reminder for me to say, in spite of everything, I am so fortunate.���

Although Marianne realized her passion for community healthcare, life obstacles stood in her way of pursuing a formal nursing education. Marianne said it was another few years before her sister pushed her to consider nursing again.

After her sister suggested WCU, Marianne enrolled and graduated last year from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. She called her WCU experience amazing and life-changing for her. She referenced the many available resources and quality education her professors provided.

���I looked into a lot of different programs and then I looked into West Coast and honestly, I can say with confidence, this program brought me this far,��� Marianne said. ���I felt every confidence I was going to do well not just because of me but the students they shaped us to be. They showed us how to succeed.���

One unique aspect to the program Marianne mentioned was the emphasis on self-care. As a single mom, Marianne said that was an area in which she struggled.

���They really encourage self-care,��� Marianne said. ���You adopt those methodologies. Here���s how you prepare to succeed��I don���t know if other students realize the depth of that and understand how you can get burnt out if you don���t schedule self-care.���

These methodologies included scheduling time with family, getting enough sleep and effectively studying and balancing assignments. She also said she found great value in her mentors within the program. One such mentor was Julie France, the former��director of nursing at WCU-Orange County.

She explained that it was France who encouraged her to return to WCU to teach. Today, Marianne has her own group of mentees and said she enjoys giving her time connecting with fellow nursing students. Marianne said she was inspired during her own experience as a new nursing student and that she strives to give back to her own alma mater any way she can. She noted the WCU mindset is one in which nurses uplift one another rather than tear each other down.

Marianne described the WCU call to action as a culture of change.

���It���s a community of nursing professionals coming together to inspire and motivate,��� she said.

Marianne said she finds her value in being part of this change and inspiring young nurses to support one another.

���It���s more than being in the profession for the money,��� Marianne said. ���That won���t sustain you during those tough shifts. You have to be in it because you want to help.��� It���s all about knowing the kind of impact you can make on someone else���s life, she said.

���I circle back to the impact all these people and resources had on me,��� she said. ���Without them, I probably would not have succeeded in the program.���

返字心頭 is one place Marianne said she found that kindness, support and encouragement.

���It was every West Coast instructor, every act of kindness, encouragement and piece of feedback telling me ���You���re going to be fine. Don���t be intimidated,������ she said. ���That, to me, was what really made the biggest difference. They gave me the resources needed to succeed. I implemented them and they encouraged me every step of the way.���

Today, Marianne continues her involvement as a WCU alumna and current student in WCU’s Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner program. She said that it was her experience at WCU that made her want to return.

���I don���t know what other people can say about their experience but for me it was something that makes me keep wanting to come back. I keep speaking to students and supporting and being part of that change,��� she said. ���My son always says he���s extremely proud of me.���

Marianne said it is her mission to continue being part of the WCU culture.

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Working toward becoming an FNP might be a natural progression to many practicing registered nurses. For those wondering if this is the right move for their career, read more to understand the reasons why registered nurses aspire to be Family Nurse Practitioners.

Reasons to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner

Greater Autonomy and Responsibility

Family Nurse Practitioners have a few duties that overlap with the duties of registered nurses; such as, examining patients, monitoring patient health, maintaining health records, etc. However, the duties of an FNP go beyond this as they can make a medical diagnosis, develop comprehensive health plans for patients, monitor chronic health conditions and supervise healthcare teams.

Since FNPs generally offer more in-depth and comprehensive care, they can assume greater healthcare management roles.

Prescription Authority

FNPs have greater autonomy when it comes to prescription authority.��Currently 22 states and the District of Columbia allow full practice, which means nurse practitioners have similar prescriptive authority compared to physicians.��In 16 states, there is reduced practice, where nurse practitioners can prescribe as long as they are in collaborative agreement with the physician, along with staying within the limitations of the medications they are allowed to prescribe.��According to a survey by AANP, most nurse practitioners hold some form of prescriptive privileges, which includes controlled substances, in all 50 states and D.C.

Better Career stability

Jobs in healthcare are projected to grow around��36% From 2016 to 2026. With such a high demand, healthcare organizations and hospitals are keen to retain highly qualified family nurse practitioners. This offers greater stability (financial and professional) and growth opportunities in career.

Work While You Learn

Some colleges offer family nurse practitioner courses online. This means that registered nurse practitioners can continue working while studying to be FNPs. This ensures that a registered nurse does not have to take a break to pursue higher education.

返字心頭 (WCU) offers an online MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner program. The University is institutionally accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). WCU���s online nursing education programs are programmatically accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE.)

Maintain Connections with Patients

Many registered nurses prefer and thrive in the connection with patients that their profession offers. As they obtain higher positions, many nurses lose out on that patient-connection. However, as FNPs, nurses continue to work closely with patients and physicians.

Leadership Roles

Many healthcare settings require FNPs. Apart From independent practice, family nurse practitioners can also look forward to increased leadership opportunities. Extended fields like patient education, research, and academia, and policy advocacy have seen a rising need for qualified healthcare professionals like FNPs to help their causes.

Family nurse practitioners can work actively in developing patient education programs, conduct medical research and have a say in healthcare policy matters. Qualified family nurse practitioners are also essential in academic roles like program administrators and mentoring.

Greater Fulfilment

A Family Nurse Practitioner is able to work across the entire spectrum of patients and assumes a greater responsibility in terms of patient care. According to the��American Association of Nurse Practitioners,����87.1% of NPs are certified in an area of primary care, and 72.6% of all NPs deliver primary care. This means that most FNPs have a chance at having a greater impact on health communities. As many FNP���s have prescriptive authority, they offer healthcare services which are cost-effective and can be utilized by a larger percentage of the population.

Apart From these core reasons described above, a career as a Family Nurse Practitioner could make a difference in the lives of people.

WCU cannot guarantee employment.

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返字心頭’s Family Nurse Practitioner cohort participated in their first on-site intensives at the WCU-Center for Graduate Studies this past weekend. Ten FNP students were able to interact face-to-face with their classmates and faculty, and learned how to take a complete physical exam, dissect case scenarios and write medical notes.

���Students were nervous but excited at the beginning of the day and happy to interact with their classmates and faculty,��� FNP program director and assistant professor Dr. Michelle Paysan-Modina said. ���The experience reaffirmed their commitment to becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner.���

WCU���s FNP program is three years long, fully online, with the exception of six weekend on-site intensives. Each intensive is unique, a workshop designed to bring students and expert faculty together to engage in-person in demonstrations. Students also practice essentials skills and competencies needed by nurse practitioners, as well as clinical evaluations where students perform demonstration of these skills.

���The intensive sessions are dynamic and rich in content, and our highly skilled and engaging faculty makes these experiences enjoyable as well as educational,��� Dr. Paysan-Modina said.

After the intensives, students provided feedback through an anonymous survey and shared some great feedback:

• “I realized that I needed to practice, practice, practice my physical exam skills.”
• “I now feel comfortable using all the different assessment tools and equipment.”
• “I’m glad we had an opportunity for hands-on practice.”

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