The role of nurse practitioners (NPs) has seen significant growth, filling several positions left unoccupied due to the post-pandemic shortage of primary care professionals. With many medical professionals quitting the sector due to burnout or exploring careers beyond healthcare, medical facilities are becoming heavily reliant on NPs to not only bridge the staffing gap but also serve as leaders for newcomers in the healthcare field.
Of the several NP specialties, the family nurse practitioner (FNP) role is one of the most popular, with nearly 70% of NPs trained in family care, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Still, their roles tend to be confused with other specialties. What, then, are the specific roles of FNPs in medical practices? We elaborate on this, exploring peculiar FNP requirements and their impact on modern healthcare.
The rise of family nurse practitioners in healthcare
Nurse practitioners are among the fastest-growing medical professionals, with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting overall employment to grow by 38% from 2022 to 2032. Today, more registered nurses are looking to advance their practice to that of an NP, and all indications suggest this would be a consistent trend in the nursing field.
One reason for the significant growth in the rise of FNPs is the scope of practice. Typically, FNPs focus on preventive care and assessing the long-term health of patients across all age groups. Their comprehensive scope of practice positions them ideally to provide direct patient care, from assessments to diagnosis, and create treatment plans.
That said, the role of family nurse practitioners encompasses various specializations such as oncology, adult gerontology, and mental health. Still, FNPs function as versatile professionals, acting as triage experts to diagnose and develop care plans or refer patients to more specialized professionals when necessary.
This extensive scope of practice has seen a growing advocacy for the inclusion of FNPs in medical teams. As FNPs continue to exhibit proficiency in various medical domains, their versatility proves invaluable within the dynamic landscape of modern healthcare.
Career advancement opportunities for family nurse practitioners
Healthcare careers incorporate several fields and specializations. Traditionally, the highest level of clinical caregivers has been associated with doctors and physicians. However, the growing realization of the impact of other healthcare fields provides an opportunity for professionals like FNPs to reach advanced levels that feature more responsibilities and higher earning potential.
To become an FNP, nursing professionals must have obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, followed by a master’s degree. More often than not, postgraduate programs serve as a prerequisite for exploring licensure based on the specialization and location of practice.
Having satisfied these requirements, professionals are positioned to practice autonomously and pursue increased income, with an attractive nurse practitioner annual salary. The American International College (AIC) offers the opportunity to fulfill the educational requirements for FNP practice. Aspiring professionals can explore any of AIC’s two entry points: a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program or a post-master’s certificate with an FNP concentration, for MSN holders. Both pathways incorporate the relevant coursework necessary for making positive changes as an FNP.
It is also possible to explore the full benefits of FNPs through terminal degrees like the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Such degrees further broaden the scope of practice, training FNPs to serve as educators, manage large care departments, advocate and influence health policies, and assume executive-level leadership positions within healthcare facilities.
Advancing in the FNP field emphasizes professional growth and development, particularly with medical complexity and healthcare technology consistently on the rise. FNPs must understand the latest medical advancements, technologies, and evidence-based practices, from complex revolutionary AI technology capable of increasing cancer survival rates to more basic innovations like the electronic health record (EHR) and wearables.
Furthermore, as FNPs advance in their careers, they become primed to take on leadership roles in medical practices. Aside from advanced degrees, FNPs can also develop professionally through specialization certifications, professional conferences, research and publications, mentorship programs, and leadership training.
FNPs’ impact on medical practices
Over time, FNPs have become an indispensable aspect of the primary care system, helping patients across the lifespan maintain long-term health and wellbeing. FNPs often serve as the initial point of contact when patients are unwell, and their positive impact is evident across the following indicators:
Improved patient care and satisfaction
Patient care and satisfaction are integral components of high-quality healthcare, contributing to positive health outcomes, patient engagement, and the overall success of healthcare interventions. Typically, satisfied patients are better able to manage chronic diseases, demonstrate better adherence to treatment plans, and are more likely to have superior health outcomes.
FNPs are rated significantly higher than other healthcare professionals regarding patient experiences. Based on a national survey of NPs’ patient satisfaction outcomes, 80% of patients believe that FNPs listen carefully every time, compared to 50% of physicians.
Across various medical facilities, FNPs utilize trust and patient satisfaction to improve nursing outcomes. Satisfied patients are more inclined to take advice and implement necessary changes to enhance their overall health and wellbeing.
Collaborative approach to healthcare
Modern healthcare models are based on collaboration, which, like other modern healthcare trends, has proven effective in enhancing patient outcomes. Doctors, nurses, and other specialized professionals contribute their knowledge, perspective, and experience in developing treatment plans. Similarly, patients also play an active role in these medical teams.
As you would expect, their roles as primary healthcare providers make collaboration critical to FNPs. These professionals diagnose, assess, and treat patients of all ages — hence, there is a need to implement patient-centered care through collaboration for better outcomes. Collaborating with patients and other medical professionals results in tailored care plans that target specific patient needs and requirements.
Taking a collaborative approach to healthcare also provides FNPs with a comprehensive understanding of the underlying factors causing an illness. This insight helps to develop effective, customized treatment plans that better foster overall wellness.
Cost-effective resource utilization
Healthcare costs continue to witness a persistent and substantial increase over time, with technological advancements, pharmaceutical costs, administrative expenses, and labor costs cited as some of the most prevalent causes. There is a pressing need to find sustainable solutions to manage and control the rising costs of healthcare while maintaining high-quality care.
A potential approach to address this challenge involves an increased presence of FNPs in the healthcare workforce. Numerous studies underscore the cost-effectiveness of nurse practitioners in delivering care. Yet, the question remains: In what way can FNPs reduce healthcare costs while improving quality?
FNPs reduce the cost of patient visits across healthcare facilities by as much as one-third, particularly when addressing patients independently. The cost-effectiveness of nurse practitioners is also evident in their academic preparation, with NPs’ educational opportunities costing 20 to 25% less than that of physicians.
Cost-effective resource utilization of FNPs is also closely tied to their compensation — with the current salary for nurse practitioners being about $124,000 and the median compensation for physicians being around $208,000. Ultimately, the lower labor costs per visit of NPs have the potential to optimize healthcare resources and contribute to overall cost reduction.
Enhancing patient wellbeing through FNPs
As the FNP workforce continues to grow, so does their significant effect on healthcare. From preventive care measures to managing chronic conditions, FNPs emerge as advocates for patient wellbeing, promoting healthcare systems that prioritize treatment and the overall health of those under their care. But how do they achieve these outcomes?
Personalized and holistic care
Holistic care is a growing trend in healthcare, underscoring the importance of addressing all facets of a patient, including the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual elements. This approach recognizes how interconnected the body and mind are and highlights the need to balance both aspects for optimal wellness. As this medical approach grows, FNPs are increasingly vital in delivering holistic care.
FNP’s advanced education and training emphasize primary care and a patient-centered approach, making them well suited to promote personalized and holistic care. Today, FNPs incorporate several holistic practices into patients’ care plans, such as chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage therapy, nutritional counseling, and homeopathy.
Beyond practicing personalized and holistic care, FNPs also advocate this approach within the broader healthcare community. As highly influential members of the sector, FNPs can impact policies, support research, and educate other healthcare professionals on the benefits of holistic medicine.
Increased accessibility to healthcare
Ensuring adequate access to quality healthcare is important to achieving positive health outcomes. Yet, as much as it is a global priority, many patients still have issues accessing quality healthcare, either due to medical costs, shortage of healthcare professionals, or other geographical-related factors.
Fortunately, FNPs help to increase accessibility to healthcare. We have already seen how effectively FNPs bridge the staffing gap and reduce healthcare costs — two of the major factors that contribute to poor access to medical care. However, beyond these factors, FNPs also make healthcare access more obtainable in various other ways.
Typically, FNPs are the most likely professionals to work flexibly, serving from mobile clinics and community health delivery systems. About half of NPs also serve rural and underserved communities, delivering quality care to locations that would otherwise not have access to such services.
Furthermore, the trust and satisfaction synonymous with FNPs encourage patients to always seek medical attention regardless of stigma or any reservations they may have. While easy accessibility to healthcare continues to remain a global concern, FNPs provide an effective pathway to combat shortages in rural and urban areas.
Building strong patient-practitioner relationships
A doctor-patient relationship is a core element in ethical medical practice. Such a relationship is developed when healthcare providers address a patient’s medical needs. Hence, all primary care providers must develop a solid doctor-patient relationship in order to deliver prime healthcare to patients.
FNPs provide a unique emphasis on the health and wellbeing of a patient — as such, they identify the need to build rapport with their patients on many levels. These professionals excel at building patient-provider relationships based on compassion, understanding, and trust. They take the time to understand the perspective and reservations of patients and educate them on the best route for optimal health.
Another key element of this relationship is confidentiality. FNPs develop a more significant level of trust when patient privacy is upheld. Additionally, FNPs encourage patients to participate actively in health decisions. Building a strong patient-provider relationship is one of the several responsibilities of FNPs, and it significantly helps foster evidence-based care.
In the end, their advanced clinical competencies and commitment to patient-centered care enable FNPs to substantially contribute to the delivery of accessible, efficient, and top-quality care services for varied demographics. Given the increased need for primary care services, FNPs will remain integral, ensuring patients receive timely, thorough, and tailored care that positively impacts the overall health and wellbeing of the community.
Embracing the transformative power of FNPs in modern healthcare
The demand for FNPs in healthcare is not expected to ease up at any point soon. Several factors, from evolving healthcare regulations to an increasing focus on preventive care, and a demand for medical services by an aging population, indicate this being a sustainable trend.
Working as a family nurse practitioner means serving as an ever-present resource for most preventive care services and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses. This scope of practice ensures that FNPs provide primary care services while also meeting the demands of specialized healthcare professionals. Whichever way one chooses to view it, the transformative power of family nurse practitioners in modern healthcare is undeniable.
