How to Thrive as a Family Nurse Practitioner: Skills and Demand Analysis
Family nurse practitioners have the opportunity to operate with significantly more autonomy than traditional registered nurses. Yet (as Spiderman once said) with more autonomy comes more responsibility.
Nurse practitioners are required to achieve a high level of education. They also make bigger decisions in the context of patient care.
Are you up for the increased challenges and heightened rewards? In this article, we take a comprehensive look at the responsibilities of the family nurse practitioner. Read to learn more about this interesting and rewarding career path.
A Quick Note
The purpose of this article is to provide a broad overview of what nurse practitioners do. However, it is important to keep in mind that state regulations play a big role and determining what experience you will have with this profession.
In some places, nurse practitioners can operate with almost the same level autonomy of autonomy as a doctor.
Other states require them to have careful supervision. Doctors must sign off on everything they do before they make big decisions relating to patient care.
While it seems that many straight states are trending towards providing nurse practitioners with more freedom, there are still many places where they are limited in what they can do.
Before you get too far down the rabbit hole, take a look at what regulations have been set up by your state.
What Skills Do Nurse Practitioners Need?
In general, nurse practitioners require ostensibly the same skills as any other nurse. They just need them at a higher level. Nurse practitioners need to be excellent at communicating. They need to be able to work well under pressure. They need extensive medical knowledge.
Acquiring your NP certification simply escalates all of these skills and responsibilities. Nurse practitioners may be a patient’s primary point of contact with the healthcare system—the person they see instead of a general practitioner.
A big responsibility? Sure. But also one that any nurse practitioner who completes licensure requirements will be ready for.
Nurse practitioners are required to go to graduate school and log many hours of practical experience before they can become fully licensed.
It can take three or more years to become a nurse practitioner once you have received your nursing license.
What Nurse Practitioners Do?
As mentioned in an earlier heading, the extent to which nurse practitioners can operate with autonomy will vary based on their location. In the paragraph below, we provide an overview reflecting potential responsibilities. Your experience will vary based on local law.
That said, in certain places, nurse practitioners can:
- Write prescriptions
- See patients
- Make diagnosis
This being the case, in many states, NPs are able to open their own practices and become small business owners. Not only does this significantly increase their earning potential, but it also gives them the increased flexibility of entrepreneurship.
What is the Demand for Nurse Practitioners?
You probably won’t be shocked to learn that demand for nurse practitioners— and in fact, almost any healthcare-related profession— is very high. Nurse practitioners, practicing family medicine may not be as in demand as those satisfying other healthcare niches— for example, psychiatric or neonatal— but they will certainly be appreciated by most communities that receive them.
That said demand will fluctuate based on location. Where a busy urban environment may have a virtually bottomless need for healthcare workers, a small rural community that has one or two general practitioners may not necessarily need another one.
When determining demand it’s always best to think actively about what niche or gap you will be filling. Though healthcare is rarely viewed through the same lens as other business ventures there are common factors to keep in mind. The process of becoming a nurse practitioner is ultimately an investment— paid for in time and not an insignificant amount of money.
Be thoughtful about how you use those resources. Is there a high demand for nurse practitioners in your community? If there is not, are you willing to move to someplace where there is? There certainly will be communities that need the services of a family NP. Nurse practitioners who are willing to relocate— particularly to communities with less restrictive laws and regulations— will find no shortage of opportunities.
How Do You Prepare for Becoming a Nurse Practitioner?
Most nurse practitioners work as RNs for several years before they take the plunge and sign up for graduate school. This is not strictly necessary but does have several benefits.
One of the benefits is that practical nursing experience gives you the opportunity to fully explore your healthcare interests, and choose an emphasis that reflects your passion. Another benefit? You may receive tuition assistance from your employer.
In all cases, graduate school is required. Most people have a completion timeline of between two and three years. However, if you are working as a nurse, you can slowly become certified at your leisure.
Interested in exploring a rewarding career in the world of healthcare? Start looking for graduate programs that will allow you to begin working as a family nurse practitioner.
Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.