The university of tulsa Online Blog

The health care system in the United States relies on the skill and expertise of nurses. In many parts of the country, both rural and urban communities are facing a shortage of primary care providers. One way the industry is aiming to combat this shortage is by granting qualified nurse practitioners full practice authority, so they can provide this care.

In full practice authority states, nurse practitioners are licensed to provide care services ranging from evaluating and diagnosing patients to prescribing medications and managing treatment plans — without the supervision or direction of a physician. With this level of autonomy, nurse practitioners can help provide much needed general care services to underserved communities.

Positions for nurse practitioners are projected to grow 46% between 2023 and 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This translates to around 31,900 job openings per year over the decade. With an advanced degree such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), nurses can become family nurse practitioners, whose salaries and responsibilities reflect their advancement into higher level leadership roles.

What Is a Family Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses with postgraduate training. Family nurse practitioners are nurse practitioners who cover a wide range of care services. Acting as primary care providers, family nurse practitioners can treat patients of all ages and address a host of illnesses and health care concerns.

Family Nurse Practitioner Duties and Job Responsibilities

The job duties and responsibilities of different types of nurse practitioners can vary. A family nurse practitioner’s responsibilities include the following:

• Assessing, diagnosing, and preparing treatment plans for patients

• Monitoring patients’ health

• Prescribing medication (in full practice authority states)

• Coordinating with or referring patients to other health care professionals

• Educating patients and their families about their conditions

• Acting as primary care providers to patients throughout their lifetimes

• Ensuring that patient care follows regulations and meets industry standards

• Providing preventive care services and promoting healthy lifestyles

• Helping patients manage chronic illnesses

Different states allow varying levels of practice authority. The level of authority dictates nurses’ workplace autonomy and the types of procedures or levels of care they can provide. There are three levels of practice authority in the United States. In full practice states, nurse practitioners can provide a wide range of care services without physician supervision, including evaluating and diagnosing patients and prescribing medications or controlled substances. In reduced practice states, nurse practitioners have reduced privileges in at least one element of practice and are required to have a regulated, collaborative agreement with a physician. In restricted practice states, licensure laws and practice restrict nurse practitioners in at least one area of practice and require the supervision or direction of a physician.

To qualify for full practice authority, nurses may need to meet specific state requirements or apply for full practice and prescriptive authority licensure. In full practice states, salaries for family nurse practitioners may increase. Recently, Oklahoma passed House Bill 2298, meaning it will become a full practice authority state in November 2025.

How to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner

While there’s no single path to becoming a family nurse practitioner, nurses interested in advanced practice must have the right educational foundation and licensure.

Education and Certifications

Nurses ready to progress beyond Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) careers to become FNPs are required to earn either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a DNP, pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), and obtain registered nurse (RN) licensure.

Applying to a graduate nursing program usually requires a BSN, though some nursing schools offer an RN to MSN Pathway that allows RNs without a bachelor’s degree to earn both degrees in a single program.

Not all MSN programs offer the opportunity to become nurse practitioners, and students may need to complete additional training. The DNP is a terminal nursing degree aimed at training nurse practitioners for both clinical and leadership roles.

Depending on their level of nursing, specialization, and location, graduates may need different certifications or licenses. Certificates are specific to each specialization due to the complex skills and knowledge they require. For example, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners, family nurse practitioners, and pediatric nurse practitioners all use different skills and must be certified in their fields.

Family Nurse Practitioner Salary and Career Outlook

Completing an advanced degree such as a DNP can lead to opportunities in various roles or career options. While there are different types of nurses with varying salaries, many students choose to complete a DNP to specialize or pursue senior positions.

While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t provide specific family nurse practitioner salary data, it reports that nurse practitioners earned a median annual salary of $129,210 in 2024. Positions for nurse practitioners, including family nurse practitioners, are projected to increase by 46% between 2023 and 2024, far outpacing the 4% increase the BLS projects for all occupations.

Become a Nurse Leader as a Family Nurse Practitioner

Advanced practice registered nurses have the opportunity to improve the lives of patients nationwide. From underserved and rural communities to challenging and chronic cases, nurse practitioners can apply their education in fulfilling roles that offer autonomy and leadership responsibilities.

An advanced degree, such as the online Family Nurse Practitioner, Doctor of Nursing Practice (FNP, DNP) at The University of Tulsa, can be an ideal way for skilled nurses to prepare themselves for senior health care roles. This is a flexible program that balances interdisciplinary skills with evidence-based knowledge, helping graduates pursue advanced careers in clinical, leadership, and educational positions.

Find out how you can affect lives and improve communities as a family nurse practitioner.

Recommended Readings

Chief Nursing Officer vs. Director of Nursing

Clinic vs. Hospital Nursing: Which One Should You Choose?

A Nurse’s Role in Interprofessional Collaboration in Health Care

Sources:

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Nursing Shortage Fact Sheet

American Association of Nurse Practitioners, State Practice Environment

American Association of Nurse Practitioners, What’s a Nurse Practitioner (NP)?

American Nurses Credentialing Center, Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP-BC)

Indeed, How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse Practitioner?

Indeed, What Is a Family Nurse Practitioner? (With Sub-Specialties)

Oklahoma State Legislature, Bill Information for HB 2298

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners