Nurses are an important part of any family practice.
By going back to school, you can work as an advanced practice nurse in the field of family medicine. Many nurses with Master's degree choose to become nurse practitioners in this field, and in some states, you can even own your own practice with this level of education. Before entering a family nurse practitioner degree program, however, take some time to learn about the job and make sure that it is a right fit.
Work Setting
Family nurses at any education level are qualified to work in a wide variety of medical facilities. As a nurse practitioner in this area, you could get a job in a private practice, clinic, hospice, school, health center or any number of other medical settings. Demand in all areas is expected to increase over the next 10 years, and the more training you have as a nurse, the better candidate you'll be for any job opening. At some facilities, your hours may not be kind, as you'll be required to be on call or work long shifts.
Salary
In general, nurse practitioners make an average of $20,000 more per year than registered nurses who don't have a Master's degree. The amount you can expect to be paid as a family nurse practitioner depends on the employer. Family nurse practitioners who work in education, or for the federal government or non-profit organizations can expect to make the highest salaries, at between $63,000 and $94,000 per year.
Daily Tasks
Daily tasks as a family nurse practitioner will depend on the employer and the size of the facility. They could range from general nursing tasks, such as talking to patients and their families, helping patients prepare for treatment, and monitoring vital signs, to advanced tasks that can only be performed by those who have an advanced degree, such as prescribing medications and diagnosing medical conditions.
Patients
A family nurse practitioner works with patients in a non-emergency setting. Most of the patients will be older than two, but a nurse should be prepared to work with all age groups. Family nurse practitioners have the unique opportunity to "grow up" with their patients in many cases, working with the same people from the time they are children to when they are adults.
Education
To become a family nurse practitioner, you need a Master's of science in nursing. Upon completion of the program, you'll take a national certification test and follow your state's guidelines to receive a nurse practitioner license. In some states, you'll be required to complete continuing education to retain your license.
Tags: nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, nurse practitioners, family nurse, Family nurse
