Benefits of Becoming a Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner

What is a Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)?

A Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner is an RN with advanced education (Master’s or Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree) to provide primary care to individuals throughout their lifespan – babies through the elderly. Most Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioners work in clinics and offices seeing patients one by one for health examinations and/or diagnosis and treatment of health issues. Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioners can also be found in a variety of settings including skilled care facilities, pain clinics, specialty offices, and urgent care centers. A Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner assesses patients, diagnoses their problem(s), implements an intervention(s) such as a referral and/or writes a prescription, and re-evaluates the patient’s progress toward health. Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioners have a collaborative relationship with one or more physicians.

Who Should Become a Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner?

Nurses who want to become a Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner should have a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, experience in providing direct patient care, and an interest in independently practicing primary health care. A strong background in chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology is important.

What are the advantages of becoming a Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner?

• A Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner is independently licensed to practice advanced practice nursing and can own a practice (In Michigan; laws vary among states).
• Currently, Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioners upon graduation, certification, and licensure can take a position in an underserved area, such as a rural area (Gladwin) or an inner-city clinic (Saginaw), and over several years, may have their entire student loan forgiven.
• Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioners make a difference in patients’ lives. Being a nurse and a primary health care provider is a great combination of competence and caring, which results in satisfied patients with good outcomes.
• Preparing to become a Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner at SVSU can be done while working full-time. The course schedule is student-friendly by being taught in a hybrid format (combination of online and face to face). Students progress together though classes with a group of colleagues. Groups of students are diverse in age and experience. At the end of year three, students are awarded a MSN and take the Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner certification examination to obtain their licensure.

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