For many people, access to and affordability of medical care can take time to manage, leaving them with few alternatives. Many healthcare providers have seen this need and embraced the family nurse practitioner role.
Family nurse practitioners can fill the gaps in rural areas where there are not enough doctors, working in non-traditional environments that can be accessible to more people. For many people, another benefit of seeing a family nurse practitioner is that their training focuses on more personalized health care, which is a growing need in most populations.
If you are considering pursuing an advanced nursing degree, then the FNP program at Baylor University might be right for you. When you enrol in the online program, you can complete this advanced degree in over three years.
What a family nurse practitioner does
The family nurse practitioner is a unique medical provider with the opportunity to treat multiple generations of the same family. Many patients see a nurse practitioner as empathetic and relatable, often opening up about health issues and mental health challenges more than they would with a doctor.
A family nurse practitioner is responsible for the primary care of patients. They focus on preventive care and long-term health issues and confer with the doctor on treatment options when necessary. Perhaps best of all, these nurse practitioners can work in various medical fields to deliver the highest quality care.
This medical specialty is projected to grow by over 50% in the next ten years due to the shortage of primary care doctors and the increase in retail-based healthcare clinics.
What the duties of a family nurse practitioner include
The duties of a family nurse practitioner include assessing patients based on their symptoms and updating their medical records. They talk with patients about stressors and circumstances to ensure patients know they can entrust the practitioner with their problems.
Family nurse practitioners write medication prescriptions once they have collected and tested samples like blood, mucus, and urine. When needed, they perform minor medical procedures like stitches. A family nurse practitioner is a crucial partner with other medical specialists in establishing an effective care plan for patients.
Career opportunities for a family nurse practitioner
A family nurse practitioner degree provides people with many career opportunities. The projected growth of this medical profession means that more career options could be on the horizon.
Emergency room family nurse practitioner
For those who like every day to be different, the role of an emergency room nurse practitioner could be a good fit. They are licensed, specialty medical providers in an unpredictable setting and must be ready to make decisions quickly when patients face possible death. They handle all levels of emergencies, from sicknesses to high-acuity patients.
The duties of an ER nurse practitioner are varied. They are responsible for patient prioritization depending on the emergency level, making rapid decisions and diagnoses. They must interpret various lab results and diagnostic imaging to prescribe medications and non-medical therapies. Family nurse practitioners discuss the patient’s medical prognosis with family members and reassure them by answering their questions.
Travel family nurse practitioner
For those who like to travel and enjoy adventures, the role of a travel family nurse practitioner may be a good fit. They are frequently licensed in multiple specialties and can work in several settings and can diagnose and treat patients, order lab and imaging tests, and admit patients to the proper unit for hospital stays. In contrast, a hospital intensivist treats critically ill patients in the hospital.
There are many clinical settings for pediatric, cardiac, pulmonary, and dermatology nurse practitioners. They could also work in a surgical setting, assisting with surgeries.
Corporate health family nurse practitioner
Many large corporations have adopted the position that having a medical professional on staff is good for their employees, which is the role of a corporate health nurse practitioner. Their responsibilities focus on employees’ wellness and mental health checks to reduce missed days due to sickness, injury, and other issues that prevent employees from attending work regularly.
A corporate health nurse practitioner becomes an essential staff member by developing exercise programs and offering health coaching. They offer practical ways to manage chronic conditions.
Corporate family nurse practitioners perform routine medical screenings and offer practical ways to manage chronic conditions. By teaching employees about injury prevention, they help to minimize worker’s compensation claims. In some corporate settings, they also provide occupational and physical therapy.
Addiction clinic family nurse practitioner
The role of an addiction clinician nurse practitioner can be a crucial way to fill a critical gap in medical providers, especially in rural and inner-city settings. Opioid and other drug addictions are growing and require empathetic, consistent treatment to break those strongholds.
Addiction family nurse practitioners oversee medical assistance for various addictions and provide behavioral therapy for those working to overcome addictions. Since no single treatment works for everyone, they customize treatment options for each patient.
Forensics family nurse practitioner
Those who enjoy solving mysteries and problems could become forensics nurse practitioners. While this role is not for the faint-hearted, they play an essential part in helping to solve crimes and assisting those who are abused.
They will appear as an authorized medical provider to give expert testimony in court. They could also have a role in educating the public about domestic and child abuse.
Dermatology family nurse practitioner
Dermatology nurse practitioners work in skin clinics to address issues with the skin, such as acne, aging and wrinkles, and other skin problems. They perform Botox and filler injections, prescribe medications for acne, and determine the proper treatments for all skin conditions.
Family nurse practitioners improve families’ health
Becoming a family nurse practitioner is an important step toward becoming a nurse leader who can improve medical care for many patients. Not only can you foster good relationships with your patients, but you can also become part of their health success story.
This rapidly growing medical profession offers many opportunities to shape better health care for individuals and entire families.