Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) vs. Nurse Practitioner (NP): What’s the Difference?
If you want to advance your nursing career, you’d know that you have different paths in front of you to take the next step. When it comes to career paths for nurses, two of the most common ones are Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Nurse Practitioner (NP). Though they are similar when it comes to the level of care they provide, they have their differences in certain duties.
An NP allows you to specialize in several areas like pediatrics or women’s health, but if you’re more interested in family medicine, you can go with an FNP. While NPs typically work with specific age groups or health conditions, FNP focus on patients of all ages. If you’re between choosing one of these careers and want to know more, this article will help you understand their key differences and similarities.
What Is an NP?
A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a nurse who owns a graduate degree in advanced practice nursing and can provide care in various medical settings. Though they can choose to become general NPs, they tend to choose a specialty like pediatrics, psychiatry, or women’s health. Much like physicians, NPs examine their patients, diagnose illnesses, and provide continuous treatment.
A career as an NP comes with numerous benefits, including flexibility and authority in practice, making this career path rewarding both professionally and personally.
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What Is an FNP?
A Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) is an APRN with educational and clinical training that focuses on family practice. Their high level of education and expertise allows them to perform duties that a family physician would do, but they tend to be supervised by physicians with medical degrees. These health experts work with various ages, from infants to adults, usually in family practice or clinical settings. Moreover, they monitor patients’ health and wellness, as well as diagnose and treat their illnesses.
FNPs play an essential role in healthcare and serve individuals and families for long periods of time, which is why this career path is suitable for nurses who tend to build long-term relationships with their patients.
Nurse vs Nurse Practitioner: Where Do They Differ?
If you want to know the difference between these two positions but keep confusing them, don’t worry; you’re not the only one. These two options are often confusing since they have similar roles and responsibilities, but we’re here to give you an in-depth comparison to help you better understand.
FNP vs. NP education
In terms of education, FNP and NP have both similarities and differences. Firstly, to become either FNP or NP, you’ll need to be a Registered Nurse (RN) and obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) and Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN). Moreover, both FNP and NP programs require practical experience that students obtain in environments that are similar to where they’ll work in the future.
As far as the differences are concerned, students interested in an FNP career need to apply to an FNP master’s level program, while aspiring NPs have to obtain a master’s degree in nursing with a specialization in their chosen path. Moreover, while NPs can complete their clinical practice in specific areas, FNPs have a wider range of possibilities. They can complete their clinical practice in numerous areas so that they can work with patients from different age groups and backgrounds.
FNP vs NP skills and certifications
Both FNP and NP roles require a wide range of skills like advanced health assessment and pathophysiology so that nurses can help prevent diseases, diagnose health conditions, and treat patients for their illnesses.
Regarding certifications, both FNPs and NPs have to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX); however, FNPs have to also pass the national FNP certification. Though there are numerous options for licensure, two of the most common ones are the FNP-BC primary care certification and the National Certificate in Family Practice.
NPs, on the other hand, have to be certified as Certified Nurse Practitioners (CNP) and APRN State Licensure. To be eligible for certification, they should typically have an RN license, a degree, and a certain number of clinical hours.
FNP vs. NP roles and responsibilities
FNP and NP roles may vary depending on their specialization and the facility where they practice; however, these are some of the typical duties that FNPs and NPs fulfill.
Usually, FNPs may work by themselves or together with physicians and other healthcare professionals. We can find them in several settings, including hospitals, schools, and clinics, and some of their most important duties consist of:
Conducting health assessments.
Prescribing medications.
Performing diagnostic tests.
Guiding on how to prevent diseases and live healthily
Managing patient care.
NPs, on the other hand, fulfill some of the following duties:
Performing physical examinations to evaluate patients’ health and diagnose illnesses.
Prescribing and dispensing medications and treatment.
Operating and monitoring medical equipment.
Advising and instructing patients regarding preventative health care methods.
Keeping up to date with medical trends and conducting research.
FNP vs. NP career outlook
When it comes to comparing the career outlook for FNPs and NPs, the two are similar. However, even though they play an indispensable role in the medical profession, they aren't a replacement for doctors. Previously, the majority of NPs and FNPs used to work in hospitals. Today, patients tend to turn to private clinics for their healthcare needs; thus, increasing the requirement for nurses in these settings.
FNPs can choose between several career outlooks, like working in doctor’s offices, clinics, schools, hospitals, or private homes. Similarly, NPs are likely to work in hospital outpatient, hospital inpatient, or in private group practices.
Both FNP and NP roles are expected to be vital in the future, and according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), NP jobs are expected to grow by 52% for the 2019-2029 decade.
FNP vs. NP salaries
Becoming an FNP is an excellent opportunity to work in a field with great earning potential. In 2020, FNP earned an average salary of $114,510 per year. Moreover, FNP seems to be a promising career for the future as well, since the BLS predicts a 52% employment growth for the 2020-2030 period.
Similar to FNPs, NPs seem to be at the same level. As of 2020, nurse practitioners earn an average yearly salary of $117,670, which is more than double compared to other occupations’ average. With an average annual wage of $145,970, California is the highest paying state for Nurse Practitioners, followed by New Jersey with $130,890.
The Bottom Line: Is FNP or NP the Right Choice for You?
The expansion of the patient population in the U.S. has increased the need for nursing specialists, and often nurses face a difficult decision in choosing between FNP or NP. However, at the end of the day, nurses should make this decision based on individual preferences.
If you're the type of nurse who wants to specialize in specific areas, such as pediatrics, women's health, or psychiatry, and like diagnosing illnesses, examining your patients, and providing continuous treatment, then NP is the most suitable career path for you.
However, if you want to focus on family practice and like to work with patients of various ages and monitor their health and wellness, then going with the FNP career may be the right thing to do. Either way, one thing is for sure: you’ll be working in a noble profession and helping others.