MSN Family Nurse Practitioner — Everything You Need to Know

Competent and Compassionate Care

There are plenty of reasons you decided to earn your BSN: helping the sick and injured, building a reputation of trust, maintaining a sense of purpose in your work, and more. But now you’re interested in advancing your career through roles that have an even greater impact on patient care and gaining the knowledge required to become a leader in your community — which is why you’re considering an MSN–FNP.

Among the most compassionate and intimately connected long-term providers in all of healthcare, family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are the providers you’ll likely see the most throughout your life. Not only are they leaned on by both patients and doctors to provide individualized healthcare insights and support, but their roles continue to develop with an evolving healthcare system and aging population — meaning FNPs are in extraordinarily high demand. So if the idea of serving as a primary care provider for patients across their lifespan appeals to you, earning your MSN-FNP will open the door for opportunities to build meaningful, long-term relationships in numerous healthcare settings.

What is an MSN-FNP?

MSN–FNP stands for Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner. This degree program prepares you to bring a comprehensive perspective to healthcare, blending clinical expertise in diagnosing and treating with an added emphasis on disease prevention and health management. To excel in this field, you must be compassionate and dedicated to forming a bond of trust with your patients, as FNPs work closely with them throughout their lives.

What Does a Family Nurse Practitioner Do Each Day?

Nurse practitioners work closely with children and adults — bringing a comprehensive approach to health care. With a vast knowledge base, FNPs support patient wellness through guidance and education. And while your daily duties as an FNP will vary depending on your area of specialization, they will generally include:

• administering immunizations
• developing treatment plans
• examining patients
• ordering diagnostic tests
• prescribing medications
• and providing treatment.

As an FNP, you can look forward to promising careers in fields that include private practice, skilled nursing facilities, rural clinics, community-based organizations, healthcare facilities, and more.

Family nurse practitioners make up 70% of the NP field, whereas Adult-gerontology nurse practitioners (who specialize in adult care) make up around 9% of the NP field. So, FNPs are a popular career path for MSN graduates—which is one of the key differences between FNPs and AGNPs.

What is the Career Outlook for Family Nurse Practitioners?

Thanks to their ability to treat patients of all ages, FNPs benefit from increased career prospects compared to other specialties. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, their overall employment is projected to grow by 40% by 2031, much faster than all other occupations. These future openings will be found in clinical and non-clinical roles, in a wide array of facility types that include:

• Family practices: A primary setting for FNPs, you’ll work alongside or under the supervision of physicians in diagnosing and treating patients. Average salary: $120,000
• Retail clinics: Located in retail stores and pharmacies, practitioners will provide care for minor illnesses and offer preventive health care services. Average salary: $108,000
• Skilled nursing facilities: Working independently or in collaboration with other health care professionals, you’ll help manage care, treatment, and recovery within a nursing home setting. Average salary: $92,000
• Community health departments: Often found in lower-income neighborhoods, FNPs in this setting will treat patients who often face obstacles to care ranging from cost to language barriers. Average salary: $91,018

As you can see, whether you’re interested in clinical or non-clinical nurse practitioner roles, your career opportunities as a family nurse practitioner are virtually unlimited.

Earning Your FNP Online from the University of Cincinnati

Our fully online MSN-FNP program from the nationally recognized University of Cincinnati College of Nursing delivers the same degree and same quality education from the same faculty as on-campus. With a flexible format designed specifically for working nurses, you’ll learn to support patients of all ages, while receiving the support you need to succeed from our team of student success coordinators and academic advisors.

In addition, our graduates meet the criteria for taking both the American Nurses Credentialing Center and American Academy of Nurse Practitioners certification exams, boasting pass rates consistently above 95% — because here, we equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to play an integral role in the lives of your patients.

Are you ready to learn more? Explore our online program to discover how you can achieve your goals with an online MSN-FNP degree from the University of Cincinnati; or take the first step in advancing your career by beginning your application today.