Where Do FNPs Work?

Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) play a vital role in the healthcare system, offering comprehensive and patient-centered care across a wide spectrum of settings. As advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), FNPs are trained to diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, and provide preventative care.

Because of this versatility and diversity, FNP programs are a popular choice for Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) students who do not want to specialize within a certain population or who want to keep their options open. But because the field is so wide open, many MSN students wonder, “Where can I work as an FNP?”

This article will help you understand the numerous opportunities available to FNPs. First, let’s look at what an FNP is and how you can become one.

What is a Family Nurse Practitioner?

A family nurse practitioner (FNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse specializing in primary and family-focused care. FNPs hold either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree and must pass the national certification exam to practice. FNPs provide care across the lifespan, managing chronic conditions, conducting physical exams, prescribing medications, and emphasizing disease prevention and health education. This broad scope of practice enables FNPs to work in diverse healthcare settings.

How to Become an FNP

If you are an RN looking to become an FNP, you must earn your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an accredited institution, such as Chamberlain University. You will also need to sit for certification exams to obtain licensure in your state.

There are many options available to you as you consider earning your MSN, and you should think about whether you want to attend a traditional, in-person program or an online or hybrid program. If you are currently working as an RN, an online MSN program may allow you the flexibility to keep your job while you earn your degree or even to complete your clinical requirements where you already work.

You will also need to think about a possible nursing specialization. While FNP programs can prepare you to explore a broad range of career options after graduation, most MSN programs also offer a range of more specialized options, such as gerontology or mental health. When determining the right nursing career path for you, it’s important to consider the population you wish to serve and the setting in which you wish to work.

Where Do FNPs Work Besides Primary Care?

The majority of FNPs work in primary care settings, including private practices and family health clinics. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, more than 88% of nurses are educated in primary care medicine.¹ Nevertheless, private practice and family medicine are not your only career options.

The versatility of an MSN FNP program will prepare you to pursue a nursing career in various specialized and nontraditional settings.

Hospitals
With so many FNPs found in primary care settings, many MSN students wonder, “Can FNPs work in a hospital?” The answer is yes, and it’s very common to find family nurse practitioners working in hospital settings. Within hospitals, FNPs may:

• Care for patients in various departments, such as the ER, post-op and specialty clinics, or on inpatient floors.
• Work with physicians and other healthcare workers, such as social workers and counselors, to coordinate and manage patient care.
• Support efforts to educate patients on services and resources to manage chronic conditions and ongoing care.

Urgent Care and Retail Clinics

Urgent care clinics are fast-paced environments where FNPs can address non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Because FNPs can treat a range of conditions and prescribe medications, they can be vital to urgent care medical teams that need to serve many patients quickly. In retail clinics, such as those associated with pharmacies and supermarkets, FNPs may find a less urgent environment, but their ability to administer care efficiently is no less crucial. In these settings, FNPs may be needed to help with managing illness, administering vaccinations and health screenings, and answering questions about prescriptions.

Both urgent care and retail clinics allow FNPs to be public-facing. While both settings can be fast-paced and unpredictable, they are less stressful than an emergency room, where patients may come in with life-threatening concerns.

Specialty Departments and Clinics

Becoming an FNP can be the start of a more specialized career, and many FNPs move from generalist positions to more defined areas of medicine. Depending on your core area of interest, you may choose to work in cardiology, dermatology, pediatrics, women’s health, psychiatric medicine or another medical specialty. The broadness of MSN FNP programs means that you will be prepared to use your skills where they are needed most, keeping your nursing career path wide and adaptable over time.  

School and College Settings

From elementary schools to university campuses, educational institutions at all levels employ FNPs to manage the health and well-being of student populations. In these settings, you may support students by providing on-campus and in-school care services, creating and implementing public health campaigns, promoting wellness initiatives, or working in or managing a clinic. School FNPs may also treat minor injuries, assess sports-related trauma or support women’s health initiatives.

Telehealth

Telemedicine has become increasingly popular, with establishments from hospitals to insurance companies offering individuals the ability to speak with a professional without leaving home. Many of these telehealth operations are managed and staffed by FNPs. In a telehealth role, FNPs work with patients remotely, discussing symptoms and suggesting treatment options. Telehealth FNPs are expected to be strong listeners and independent problem solvers.

Corporate Settings

Many companies hire FNPs to manage and implement wellness programs for their employees. Corporate FNPs usually collaborate with human resources and company leadership to assess employee needs and create programs that support related healthcare initiatives. These initiatives are often lifestyle-driven, such as smoking-cessation programs and exercise challenges. In some cases, companies have FNPs working as medical support for employees, either in an on-site clinic or through telehealth. These FNPs may work with employees who have suffered a workplace injury or have become ill while working.

Correctional Facilities

FNPs in correctional facilities provide primary care to incarcerated individuals, addressing both acute and chronic health conditions while ensuring continuity of care. For most inmates, the FNP at the correctional facility acts as their main medical care provider throughout their sentence, and FNPs in these settings are responsible for a large population of patients. As an FNP in a correctional setting, you may also work with leadership to create and support programs that promote the well-being and physical health of inmates.

Military and Veterans Affairs

Active-duty service members and veterans face challenges to mental and physical health that are unlike those faced by other populations. FNPs who work in military healthcare facilities or for the Department of Veterans Affairs provide specialized care to military personnel throughout their careers. In these settings, FNPs may be assessing the health of newly recruited service members, working with veterans struggling with PTSD, or providing primary care to military families living on bases around the world.

Geriatric Care

Nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and hospice facilities all employ FNPs to care for elderly patients. Often the most vulnerable population, elderly people may struggle with a range of concerns, from physical issues with mobility to mental health concerns like dementia. FNPs are crucial in these settings. In nursing homes, FNPs act as primary care support but also may create lifestyle programs that support longevity and physical health. Hospice FNPs may work with patients and family members to establish measures that allow for humane and empathetic end-of-life care.

Where You’ll Find FNPs

Family nurse practitioners are flexible and versatile, which means their skills are needed in various healthcare environments and settings. You will find FNPs working in:

• Urban, suburban and rural areas. All communities rely on the diverse skill sets of FNPs, who administer health services across the lifespan.
• Independent practices. Depending on the state, FNPs may have the ability to open and manage their own practices and clinics, serving communities in need.
• Group practices. FNPs serve as integral members of healthcare teams, often acting as an emergency or urgent care facilitator in busy group practices.
• Home care. Patients who need in-home care, such as the elderly or disabled, rely on FNPs who administer care and medical treatment in private residences.
• Academic research. FNPs, especially those looking to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), may pursue careers in research or teaching to shape future generations of nurses.

Family Nurse Practitioner Salaries

FNP salaries vary by setting, specialization and location. You can do research to see the salary of a family nurse practitioner in your area, and you can also research in which settings FNPs make the most money in your region. Be sure to check valid sources for current data, as salaries can shift over time. While demand and salaries can vary, FNPs are generally sought after in many healthcare environments and earning your MSN FNP can prepare you for career stability over time.

Beyond salary expectations, many FNPs choose their career path for benefits like career versatility and opportunity, autonomy to practice with full authority and prescribe medications, and the knowledge that working as an FNP has a positive effect on individuals and communities.

Earn Your Chamberlain MSN to Become an FNP

Prepare to become a confident, empathetic family nurse practitioner when you earn your MSN FNP at Chamberlain University. The coursework in the Chamberlain FNP program is delivered 100% online, and you will complete hands-on practicum experiences at clinical sites in your area. You will enjoy the full support of the largest FNP program in the country , with dedicated instructors, support teams and alumni.

Join a university that has been training nursing professionals for more than 130 years, whose MSN FNP program can prepare you to work with diverse populations in a range of settings. Explore the Chamberlain MSN FNP program to learn more.  

Chamberlain University, an accredited institution, offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and certificate programs in nursing and healthcare professions. With a growing network of campuses and robust online programs, Chamberlain continues to build on more than 130 years of excellence in preparing extraordinary healthcare professionals.

¹Source: https://www.aanp.org/advocacy/advocacy-resource/position-statements/nurse-practitioners-in-primary-care

Chamberlain University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Chamberlain University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, ccneaccreditation.org. 

By Chamberlain University