Introduction
The Family Nurse Practitioner’s work can be interesting and gratifying, as these nurses provide direct care to the population and work with particular patients during their lifespan. Therefore, FNPs have enough time to get a holistic picture of patients’ health problems. Noteworthy, FNPs are required to have a Master’s degree to enter practice. They have a right to put a diagnosis and develop a treatment that will address complex health issues. This paper aims to describe the role, qualifications, and competencies of Family Nurse Practitioners, give an example of hospital-based services provided by family nurses and present a comprehensive job description.
Type of Organization
FNPs have plenty of career opportunities, so they may choose to specialize in various areas of healthcare, including Medical-Surgical, Cardiac, Endocrine / Diabetes, Renal / Urology, Perinatal, Long-Term Care, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation, Pulmonary, Pediatrics, Gerontology, ER / Trauma, Post-Partum, Psychiatric, and Critical Care (Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), 2021). For example, Steward Holy Family Hospital focused on family medicine services, specialists from Obstetrics & Gynecology department provide care for babies and their mothers. The team includes certified obstetricians, neonatologists, pediatricians, and registered nurses, which can be good practice for future family nurses. There is a Family Care Medicaid program of long-term care for the frail elderly and adults with physical, developmental, or intellectual disabilities in the US. In the framework of this governmental program, family care enrolls Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) and Managed Care Organizations that manage and provide services under the Family Care package. Anyone can enroll in Family Care and receive services tailored to their individual needs and preferences.
How Many Clients Does It Serve?
In New Hampshire, Steward Holy Family Hospital takes part in this program. Its Obstetrics & Gynecology department specialists help deliver 1,100 babies annually (Maternity services, 2021). Simultaneously, Emergency Care services provided by Emergency Room physicians and nurses provide care to more than 50,000 patients with emergency health care needs annually (Emergency care services, 2021). FNP nurses who work on the road can serve up to 10,000 patients during a year. Fewer patients are since each nurse works with fewer clients during their lifespan.
FNP’s Qualifications
Family Nurse Practitioners usually have higher education and clinical training in family medicine. They must pass the NCLEX-RN exam and become an RN. Further, having such a certificate, nurses gain experience working with patients, which can be decisive in choosing a later specialization. Future FNPs go to colleges and universities for an MSN degree or enter graduate programs to obtain a Doctor of Nursing (DNP) diploma. Many nurses pursue a postgraduate program for FNPs after completing their Master’s degree. The specializations available for FNPs have already been listed above.
Core Competencies
FNPs can fill various roles, with more or fewer responsibilities, including serving as hospital administrators and policy-makers. Serious academic and clinical training suggests that FNPs are empowered to diagnose and treat complex health conditions. FNPs’ workplaces include clinics, hospitals, doctors’ offices, private homes, and schools. Typically, FNPs’ services’ hallmark is long-term work with patients focused on treatment and health prevention. FNPs provide services to all family members, regardless of their age. FNP’s responsibilities may include planning and treating acute and chronic illness, advising patients on healthy lifestyles and prevention, advising on health promotion as they age, performing diagnostic tests, general patient care, administering medications, and administering examinations.
Job Description
To provide a complete understanding of the direct responsibilities of FNP, excerpts from the job description placed by Marathon Health are provided below. The organization “is looking for a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) to treat and work with staff and families at our corporate health and wellness center, MyClinic in Carmel, Indiana” (Family Nurse Practitioner, n.d.). The FNP is expected to perform 40 hours a week and receive compensation in wages and medical, dental, and visual benefits, 401 (k), FSA, paid leave, and holidays. The company also promises no after-hours and weekend shifts. The successful candidate is expected to focus on prevention, well-being, and patient participation.
New Hampshire Nurse Practitioner Act
According to the New Hampshire state legislation, FNPs’ scope of practice can be correlated with the RNs’ duties and responsibilities since the APRN certification is not necessary for FNPs. The Act says that “RNs must engage in nursing care that includes caring for all clients in all settings, guided by nursing standards that are consistent with the standards set by the National Council of State Councils for Nursing” (Scope of Practice, 2017). At the same time, nursing practice is limited to a strictly defined set of responsibilities, including providing a comprehensive nursing assessment of health status, collaborating with other health professionals, developing a nursing strategy plan, providing safe care, and other duties.
Thus, the role, qualifications, and competencies of Family Nurse Practitioners were described. An example of hospital-based services provided by family nurses was given along with a comprehensive job description. FNPs are highly skilled professionals who can specialize in one type of service from a wide general range. FNPs receive several certifications, including the mandatory clinical practice of RN, Master’s degree, and postgraduate practice of FNPs.
References
Emergency Care Services (2021). Web.
Family Nurse Practitioner (n.d.). Web.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (2021). Web.
Maternity Services (2021). Web.
Scope of Practice (2017). Web.