The Importance of Family Nurse Practitioners

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A family nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has two years of strong experience as a primary care provider and has completed advanced education in family health.

Family nurse practitioners are primary care providers who are licensed to provide services independently and without a physician’s order.

Family nurse practitioners may perform a variety of services that include screening, diagnosing, ordering diagnostic tests, and making a treatment plan for their patients. These services often allow patients to access primary care more conveniently than if they had to visit their doctor.

Services offered by Family Nurse Practitioners

Family Nurse Practitioners work with physicians and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive health care for patients of all ages. 

They often stay current on the latest practices and new research in their field so they can make well-informed decisions about treatments for their patients.

FNP Training Requirements

Family nurse practitioners can obtain bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in family nurse practitioner courses. 

Graduate studies in health administration allows them to gain skills needed for administrative responsibilities in healthcare organizations.

Visit academicpartnerships.uta.edu/programs/master-of-science-in-nursing-family-nurse-practitioner.aspx to learn more about family nurse practitioner programs.

Family nurse practitioner doctoral programs are typically accredited by the American Academy of Family Nurse Practitioners (AAFP). 

AAFP is the primary accrediting body for physician assistants and advanced practice nurses (i.e., those who hold a graduate degree). 

Family nurse practitioners must obtain a license from the State Board of Nursing.

What are the Advantages of Family Nurse Practitioners?

Nurse practitioners who work specifically with families can perform a variety of services including:

  • Screening for diseases, such as diabetes and cancer, that are often diagnosed by first consulting with your primary care physician. 
  • Ordering diagnostic tests. 
  • Making diagnoses based on the results of tests and symptoms. 
  • Provide preventive care for patients, such as immunizations and screenings for diseases. 
  • Perform physical examinations and prescribe medications. 
  • Refer patients to specialists when additional treatment is necessary.
  • Care for your loved ones when life gets too much, regardless of their age or medical condition 
  • A better chance to get care in the comfort of your own home and relieve you from driving long distances to see doctors. 
  • The ability to provide 24/7 care if it’s needed, which can be especially helpful for children with complex medical needs and parents with mental health issues like postpartum depression.

Nurse Practitioners and their Role in the Nation’s Health Care System

Family nurse practitioners can help improve the health of all Americans. They have extensive training which means that they can diagnose and treat minor conditions that commonly plague patients without bothering their physicians.

They can refer patients to specialists when necessary, providing more convenience and better care for people of all ages. 

In some cases, they may even be the first line of defense against expensive health care costs by providing prevention services directly to patients. Moreover, they can also give patients a quicker way to get treatment when they need it.

The Importance of Family Nurse Practitioners in the Community

A family nurse practitioner can help support communities by giving back to the community and providing services that promote long-term health. 

They can even work on clinical research projects that help them gather information and offer better services for their patients.