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How To Become an FNP
What Is a Family Nurse Practitioner?
A family nurse practitioner is a type of registered nurse. An FNP is considered an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). APRNs are specialists who have acquired graduate-level education and hundreds of hours of supervised clinical experience in their specialty area. An APRN can also specialize in a particular population, and specialization is particularly common for NPs. For example, an NP can choose to become a family nurse practitioner. They also must have passed a rigorous certification exam to verify that they possess advanced nursing knowledge in their specialty.
A family nurse practitioner can care for patients across the lifespan, from infants to seniors. FNPs deliver primary care, which combines diagnostics, treatments and chronic disease management with preventive wellness, health promotion and patient education.
Number of NPs working across the U.S. in 2025(See disclaimer 1)
What Does a Family Nurse Practitioner Do?
Family nurse practitioners handle essential tasks that help diagnose, treat and manage patient needs. From routine care to more complex responsibilities, their job involves hands-on care that directly impacts patient health.
An FNP is qualified to perform any of the following tasks:(See disclaimer 2)
Assess
FNPs often conduct patient assessments and make diagnoses.
Perform examinations
They frequently perform physical examinations and check for abnormalities.
Create treatment plans
These professionals recommend and implement treatment plans for injuries and illnesses.
Prescribe medications
Many FNPs can prescribe medication independently, while others may require additional authorization.
Interpret tests
They order and interpret test results to help diagnose conditions.
Work with physicians
FNPs may assist physicians in performing minor procedures.
What Experience and Education Does an FNP Need?
Becoming an FNP can be a rewarding journey that combines advanced clinical knowledge with hands-on patient care. As an aspiring FNP, it’s important to understand the educational milestones and certifications required to practice at an advanced level. The process includes a combination of advanced academics, clinical experience and certifications. Explore what your journey could look like to enter this career.
High School Diploma
College Degree
Clinical Experience
Professional Certifications
Best Degrees for Family Nurse Practitioner
An MSN FNP program is the academic pillar that aspiring FNPs will need to reach clinical practice. These programs are designed to prepare nurses to provide quality, holistic care to patients of all ages. Gaining a strong understanding of program topics is crucial, as they can prepare you to make informed clinical decisions, address patient needs and deliver safe, effective and compassionate care.
Your FNP program will provide an in-depth exploration of advanced topics such as:
Organizational leadership
Physiology and pathophysiology
Pharmacology
Health assessment and diagnostic reasoning
Health promotion
Family primary care
GCU Recommends These Degree Programs for an FNP
4 Matching Degrees
What Skills Does a Family Nurse Practitioner Need?
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FNPs support patients across every stage of life. Because they manage a wide range of responsibilities, from diagnosing conditions to coordinating long-term care plans, the skills they develop directly influence patient outcomes, trust and continuity of care. Mastering certain skills can help FNPs deliver safe, effective and holistic support in diverse clinical settings.
FNPs draw on a wide range of advanced skills to deliver accurate, effective care, such as:(See disclaimer 4)
Communication
Critical-thinking
Compassion
Attention to detail
Leadership
Resourcefulness
Where Do Family Nurse Practitioners Work?
Due to the broad scope of this career, FNPs are needed in many different healthcare environments. With so many options available, you can explore different settings to find one that aligns with your professional goals and personal interests.
Some work settings where FNPs may see patients include:(See disclaimer 6)
Physician offices
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the majority of nurse practitioners, approximately 46%, work in physician offices.(See disclaimer 6)
Hospitals
Around 25% of these professionals work in a hospital setting, including state, local or private hospitals.(See disclaimer 6)
Outpatient care centers
Some FNPs may work in outpatient care centers, such as smaller community health centers or urgent care clinics.
Median annual salary for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners in May 2024(See disclaimer 5)
Estimated job growth for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners from 2024 to 2034(See disclaimer 7)
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Advancement Opportunities for Aspiring FNPs
Currently, family nurse practitioners require a master’s degree, along with the necessary certification. However, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a terminal degree that represents the highest level of academic achievement for nurses. DNP-prepared nurses are able to deliver quality care to patients, provide leadership in their organizations and contribute to the body of knowledge in the field. FNPs may wish to pursue a DNP degree to advance their knowledge in the field and potentially qualify for more leadership-forward roles.
Explore More on Being a Family Nurse Practitioner
Browse through some related articles to gain a deeper understanding of advanced nursing roles and help guide your academic and career decisions.
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Discover the key differences between earning a DNP and becoming an NP. Explore what each role involves, how their educational paths and responsibilities vary and how nursing programs can prepare you for advanced practice or in healthcare.
Explore how APRNs and Nurse Practitioners NPs compare in roles, responsibilities and career paths. Learn what sets NPs apart within the APRN category, how their training and work differ across healthcare settings.
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Learn how the FNP and ACNP roles differ in focus, patient populations and clinical responsibilities. Understand the key distinctions in training, practice settings and scope of care to better decide which advanced nursing path might align with your career goals.
Become a professional in advanced nursing care. Advance your nursing education at GCU.
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2025, Nov. 11). A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the 2025 Nurse Practitioner Count. Retrieved December 2025.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). What Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives and Nurse Practitioners Do. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved December 2025.
- American Nurses Credentialing Center. (2025). Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP-BC™). Retrieved December 2025.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). How To Become a Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife or Nurse Practitioner. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved December 2025.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives and Nurse Practitioners, as of May 2024, retrieved December 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide, who have varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners, nor does it reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved December 2025.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives and Nurse Practitioners, retrieved December 2025.