Since COVID-19, many registered nurses (RNs) have started to leave the hospital bedside. This is due to many factors, including workplace stress and burnout, long hours, traumatic patient experiences, and much more. The decision to leave the bedside can be challenging. Still, there are many opportunities for nurses who wish to continue working with patients – a family nurse practitioner (FNP) being one of them. But, is becoming an FNP worth it? Ultimately, it's up to you to do the research and make the decision for yourself, but we can help you decide!

But how can you decide if getting your FNP is worth it? There's a lot to consider, like the time commitment and financial costs it brings. In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of becoming so you can decide if it becoming an FNP is worth it.

Although it can be challenging, becoming an FNP is worth it! There are many benefits and a range of opportunities the position offers. As an FNP, you’ll have more flexibility and independence and serve as a leader in the medical community. Here are some more pros of becoming an FNP:

The number of FNPs continues to grow each year because the role is becoming more necessary in the primary care world. This is intensified by a shortage of primary care providers. 

yet this still doesn’t keep up with the demands.

 Becoming an FNP will offer new growth and career opportunities over the next few years as the role grows.

Most FNPs work in settings other than a hospital, such as a clinic, primary care, urgent care, specialty clinics, or private practice. This is one of the more popular reasons that make an FNP worth it. These settings often have more flexible schedules that allow FNPs to work around and change as they need to. Most hospitals require RNs to work 12-hour shifts.

As the need for FNPs continues to grow, so does the pay. This is also one of the primary reasons why becoming an FNP is worth it. Clinics and organizations are desperate to hire more providers and FNPs to meet the demands, 

so their salary is competitive and often high. 

4. FNPs have the opportunity to specialize

FNPs have an opportunity to specialize in things like cardiology, 

, and more. As an FNP student, you gain a broad knowledge of all types of patients and medical issues. This training will prepare you to choose a specialization in an area in which you are interested and passionate.

With the rising demand for primary care providers, a permanent need for FNPs is likely to persist. This makes being an FNP worth it, too. Many career paths are slowly being 

; however, this will likely never happen in the medical field due to the need for the human element. Because of this, 

you never have to worry about the job outgrowing you.

6. Employer tuition reimbursement programs

Many clinics will offer reimbursement programs. If you work with the same clinic for a certain amount of time, 

 This can be a huge factor in determining where you might work as an FNP, as it can save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

7. Respected, trusted, and challenging FNP profession

Nursing has been identified as the most respected and trusted profession for 

. Becoming an FNP is worth it because you make a difference by serving your patients this way. You are also challenged every day at work. While that may sound like a con, it’s 

Being intellectually stimulated keeps you satisfied with your work far more than if you’re bored.

So, now that we’ve explored the pros of working as an FNP, what are some snags? All professions, no matter which, always have drawbacks that are less than ideal, and working as an FNP is no exception. Some cons of the FNP role include:

1. Lengthy education and continuing to work while in school

Getting your FNP degree can take years, whether it’s a doctorate or a master’s. You'll have to decide for yourself and amongst your family if becoming an FNP is worth it. Going to school full-time will take two and a half to three years, and most people can’t do it full-time. Most RNs will continue working while going to school for a number of reasons. Therefore, anything other than full-time will make the program last even longer, sometimes upwards of five to six years. This can be time-consuming, stressful, and challenging for the schooling or the work environment.

2. Having to pass a certification exam before working

Once you finish your FNP degree, legally, you are not allowed to practice as one just yet. You must pass the board exams. These exams are difficult and often require months of prep. This can prevent you from starting work sooner if the test-taking process is complex for you. While this is similar to taking the NCLEX exam to be an RN, the FNP boards are more complex and in-depth due to your increased scope of practice.

While this may improve from your hours as an RN, it can still be challenging. Many clinics have late-night hours and are open on the weekends, so you may have to work occasionally and not routinely. A lack of routine in your work schedule may be tricky, especially with responsibilities like children on your plate.

Working conditions vary by location and setting. Conditions can be difficult where you have high patient ratios and see up to 20 or 30 patients a day. This could make becoming an FNP not worth it for some. On the other hand, it can be easier to see one patient per hour in a specialty clinic. However, more than likely, you’ll be required to see a large number of patients per day due to insurance requirements for reimbursement. You’ll also be responsible for more patients with follow-ups, labs, etc. The conditions that require more interaction can be stressful for some.

With the demanding working conditions described above, it’s clear that stress may increase. You’ll also be more responsible for medical decisions as an FNP than you were as an RN. This can be incredibly stressful both in the workplace and on your own mental and emotional health. For some, this can tip the scale and make being an FNP not worth it. To prevent burnout and to help you get through your days as an FNP, consistently practicing self-care is essential.

6. Legal responsibilities and inconsistent scope of practice

As an FNP and primary care provider, the buck stops with you. You will make all the final decisions. Because of this, you are legally more responsible for your patient’s medical decision-making. An FNPs scope of practice varies from state to state, which can be confusing at times. Legal issues can be mentally draining and difficult financially.

Getting a graduate degree is not cheap. The average tuition cost of FNPs programs in the U.S. as of 2021 is 

. Most people cannot (and should not) pay that much out of pocket. This means you may have to take out loans that you’ll have to pay back later. This could have people believe that an FNP is not worth it. This can be very difficult as interest builds over the course of the year. Your ability to manage your finances is crucial. If your interest is truly piqued, you may want to check out our FNP program with payments starting as low as $375 per month.

Now that we’ve explored the pros and cons of getting your degree and working as an FNP, what do you think? Do you think becoming an FNP is worth it? Like all jobs, there’s a multitude of both, and you’ll have to decide which pros and which cons are most valuable to you.

If you’re ready and feeling good about all those pros, check out 

Alison Shely, a guest author for Aspen University

is a nurse practitioner, nurse coach, and nurse content writer who specializes in articles, guest blogging, and as a healthcare worker. She has been in nursing since 2014 and has worked in intensive care, women’s health, and primary care as an rn and FNP. Her specialty topics include mental health, health and wellness, yoga philosophy and practice, and community health. She also serves as a health coach and a mentor to other nurses and healthcare workers regarding healthy lifestyles and mental health.

Is an FNP Degree Worth It? Here's the Pros and Cons

You’ve gotten your FNP degree, passed your board exam, and now you are ready to start looking for jobs, but where do you start? Or maybe you’re a registered nurse who is thinking of becoming a nurse practitioner. Are you aware of the numerous specialties and the diverse opportunities available for you to pursue? It's exciting to say, there are many! Unfortunately, it is common to believe that Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) can only work in primary care. But, that can't be the only option you have, right? 

 In short, there are many more options for you to research and consider.

FNPs can work anywhere from hospitals, specialty clinics, urgent care, and in many more places. In this article, we’ll provide examples of this and go over what you can do with your FNP degree. Above all, remember, you don’t have to be stay in primary care if you don’t want to.

So, let’s explore some of your options!

To clarify, an FNP is just one of the many types of nurse practitioners (NPs). All nurse practitioners (FNP included) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) who serve as leaders in healthcare settings. They work more closely with medical doctors (MD) to diagnose and treat their patients, which differs from a nurse who implements the treatment plan. An FNP focuses on caring for patients of all ages and their families. They work in family medicine, which is a term that can 

include caring for almost every type of patient, disease, and more.

FNPs work with many patients over the course of their lives, including newborns, the elderly, adults with chronic disease, pregnant people, and everyone in between. Because of this training, 

 place where FNPs work. It involves serving as your patients’ primary care provider and working with patients of all ages. While this is the most common setting for FNPs to work, 

There are many settings in which an FNPs can work, here are a few of the most common:

FNPs are qualified to work in specialty clinics because of the broad training they received through their FNP programs, unlike pediatric nurse practitioners or women’s health nurse practitioners.

 that employ nurse practitioners include:

Some specialties may require specific certifications before you start working, but it is common for a company or organization to offer training to complement your FNP training. This will ramp you up quickly and get you working as soon as possible.

FNPs working in hospitals, emergency rooms, and urgent care

Half of the NPs certified in 2021 reported having at least some hospital privileges, and 50,000 NPs work full-time in the 

. 12,000 NPs work full-time in the emergency room (ER) and 9,000 in urgent care. Other hospital areas where NPs work includes individual units like the medical-surgical unit, the telemetry unit, private practice, or even specialized units, like labor and delivery or pediatrics.

Whether on a medical-surgical floor or in the ER, or in urgent care, 

inpatient practice is a growing and fulfilling specialty that FNPs can work in after graduating.

While there is a pediatric nurse practitioner specialty degree, FNPs can also work in private practice and general pediatrics. Even FNPs who don’t work in pediatrics full-time reported seeing pediatric patients regularly. 

of FNPs see pediatric patients every day they work in family practice.

 They can also work in pediatric specialties like pediatric gastroenterology or cardiology. These areas focus on chronic or acute conditions common in pediatrics like congenital heart defects, all of which FNPs can manage.

There is also a women’s health nurse practitioner specialty degree which will allow work in women’s health, obstetrics, and gynecology. However, it is noteworthy to mention that FNPs 

 the specialty degree can still work in those areas. While they don’t usually deliver babies, 

they can provide general prenatal care and women’s healthcare

 such as women's wellness exams, sexual health counseling, and more. FNPs working in primary care will often see many of these women and these concerns as well.

NPs and FNPs can also work in research or on research projects, especially for NP-specific research. 

 such as the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (

offer research fellowships and opportunities that can help break into these roles. 

Also, colleges and universities often have research projects. These projects can be funded by grants that employ healthcare workers, such as FNPs, to do research, work with the patients involved in the study, and more.

All staff in FNPs programs are FNPs too, so FNP faculty positions are always an option, too. FNPs can also serve as staff in 

 programs (https://www.usuniversity.edu/degrees/master-of-science-in-nursing-family-nurse-practitioner) for nurses or other nurse practitioners. These can be full-time or part-time, 

otherwise known as adjunct positions where you teach one or two days a week.

 It can involve an instruction-centered curriculum or supervising students in the clinical setting.

Now that you have read about the different settings in which an FNPs can work, are you ready to start your journey? There are endless opportunities for FNPs, whether you are a nurse thinking about FNP school or a new FNP trying to get your first job. Check out 

Alison Shely, a contributing writer for United States University

is a nurse practitioner, nurse coach, and nurse content writer who specializes in articles, guest blogger, and healthcare worker wellness. She has been in nursing since 2014, working in intensive care, women’s health, and primary care as a registered nurse and family nurse practitioner. Her specialty topics include mental health, health and wellness, yoga philosophy and practice, and community health. She also serves as a health coach and mentor to other nurses and healthcare workers concerning healthy lifestyles and mental health.

Where Can FNPs Work, Besides Primary Care?

 does it ever feel like you wear too many hats? Have you wanted to narrow it down to one? After working hard to earn your degree, the idea of specializing may bring back memories of APA papers and endless clinical hours. With your broad range of skills, you have the ability to specialize without going back through NP school.

As an FNP, you treat a variety of conditions daily. Your work is all about promoting health in a primary care setting. But, as part of a comprehensive health assessment, FNPs address the psychosocial needs of their patients as well. With the amount of psychiatric-mental health (PMH) crossover in the primary care setting, you might ask:

Can an FNP work as a psychiatric-mental health practitioner?

We discuss how FNPs can leverage their knowledge of the psychosocial needs of patients to treat PMH conditions in a more formal setting. Find out how furthering your education will improve your practice – and may be less of a hassle than you think.

What is psychiatric mental health nursing?

Psychiatric-mental health registered nurses and advanced practice nurses identify and treat mental health issues and disorders.

 is to partner with patients and establish a trusting relationship during their treatment. PMH nurses help patients achieve their wellness goals by providing patient education and creating a safe space as they work toward recovery.

Psychiatric-mental health nurses may care for patients with:

Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) function in an advanced practice role to oversee clinical treatment for their patients. As a PMHNP, your duties may include:

Diagnosing psychiatric illness on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5)

Advanced practice PMH nurses may also perform crisis intervention and stabilization. Working within a multidisciplinary team, PMHNPs are essential in care coordination and collaborating on action plans to 

provide best-practice care for their patients.

How can family nurse practitioners work in psychiatry?

Family nurse practitioners may work in private practice or retail clinics and hospitals in primary care settings. While FNPs provide mental health counseling and treatment, their primary focus is on a patient’s broader health picture. As part of their health assessment, FNPs may evaluate a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) score to screen for and measure the severity of depression.

A family nurse practitioner may provide counseling and prescribe medical treatment for patients suffering from depression. However, if a patient requires a higher level of psychiatric care, an FNP may refer to a psychiatric specialist.


If an FNP is interested in providing more in-depth psychiatric-mental health care to patients, they will need specialized training. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners recommends obtaining 

 for psychiatric-mental health nursing care across the lifespan. This will allow a nurse practitioner to treat patients in prisons, psychiatric facilities, public health facilities, opioid treatment centers, or telemedicine practice.

Healthcare providers in the U.S. have already begun treating patients experiencing health challenges from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether a patient is experiencing mental health challenges like grief and burnout or new physical conditions, 

nurse practitioners are in high demand to meet the needs of increasing patient volumes.

If you’re interested in becoming a PMHNP, the statistics are in your favor for finding employment. According to the 

, the outlook for nurse practitioners is projected to grow by 45% between now and 2030. During the same timeframe, the BLS projects employment growth for 

 of 12.5%, creating a need for 3,500 additional providers.

In addition to job security, as a nurse practitioner, you may be interested in specializing in mental health in exchange for a comfortable income. According to 

, the average salary for PMHNPs is $111,010.

How to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner with an FNP degree.

If you already have an FNP degree and are interested in specializing in psychiatric-mental health nursing, you have a few options to further your education.

psychiatric-mental health nursing certified

 by taking a competency-based exam. As a nurse practitioner, this may help supplement your knowledge of psychiatric care for your primary care patients.

However, to become board certified in PMH as an advanced practice nurse, you must take the 

Psychiatric-Mental Health Board Certification Exam

. The prerequisites for this exam are 500 hours of clinical experience as a PMHNP in addition to specialized education.

Nurse practitioners have the option to obtain a PMHNP post-master’s certificate. This will allow you to complete a PMHNP degree and become board certified in significantly less time than starting over in nursing education. Like an FNP board certification, a PMHNP license needs to be renewed every five years

Make your next career move at United States University

As a family nurse practitioner, you are already providing mental health care to your patients in a meaningful way. If psychiatric-mental health nursing is of interest to you, consider furthering your education and becoming a PMHNP.

To learn more about earning your FNP, check out United States University’s FNP program 

Can an FNP Work in Psych? Your Career Guide

In the last several decades, nurse practitioners (NPs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) serving in numerous specialty areas have come into their own as valuable and highly respected contributing members of the healthcare system. Roles such as 

, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), and other APRNs all contribute to making comprehensive patient care much more robust, diversified, and accessible.

Nurse practitioners are now integral to delivering high-quality care to millions of Americans across the lifespan. According to the 

, nurse practitioners are projected to see 45% job growth between 2020 and 2030 (an average of 29,400 new jobs per year), an average annual salary of $117,670, and an average hourly rate of $56.57.

While some FNPs focus on treating patients from babies to the elderly, others choose to focus on a specialty of significant interest. Many FNPs can provide important women’s health care based on their education and training, with FNPs hired by OB/GYNs to contribute to care provided in busy practice environments. Some may seek a post-master’s certificate to become a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHMP).

Some female patients wish to utilize an FNP for their general health while having a separate relationship with a women’s health specialist; some may choose to receive most of their ongoing comprehensive care from their FNP. In this way, a family nurse practitioner working in a group medical practice or public or private health clinic may have the privilege of treating such women and members of their extended families.


The trust given by the provision of such care could result in the FNP attending to the medical care of an entire family; in such a scenario, the FNP may:

Refer grandma for a breast MRI to check on potential abnormalities in dense breasts for which a mammogram is insufficient

See the men and male children for health maintenance and urgent medical needs

Provide annual gyn and breast exams for female members of the family with children and grandchildren of their own

Refer a pregnant teenage girl for prenatal care due to a high-risk pregnancy, subsequently doing well-baby checks and post-natal gynecological exams following a successful delivery

Perform the first gynecological exams for three adolescent girls, as well as provide family planning, breast self-examination instruction, advice on sexual and dating safety, IUD fittings, and condoms

Educate adolescent males on general health maintenance, sexual health, STI prevention, and testicular self-examination

The provision of robust multigenerational care across the lifespan — including women’s health — is rightfully within the scope of practice of a family nurse practitioner, even without the above-referenced post-master’s certificate in women’s health. Such multigenerational holistic care could certainly lend itself to a high level of personal and professional satisfaction for a dedicated FNP, not to mention loyalty and gratitude from patients and their families.

Can an FNP Work in Women’s Health? Find out Here.

You’ve finally finished getting your nurse practitioner degree. So what do you do next?

After you graduate and get your license, it’s time to decide where you’ll work. And choosing where to work can be tricky, especially for a family nurse practitioner's (FNP) broad scope of practice. Some people think you can only work in primary care as an FNP, but that’s not true.

FNPs work in various settings including private practices, clinics, and even hospitals. Almost half of the NPs certified as of 2021 reported having at least some hospital privileges. And nearly 50,000 NPs work full-time in the 

, while 12,000 NPs work full-time in the emergency room (ER).

Whether on a medical-surgical floor or in the ER, inpatient practice is a growing and fulfilling specialty that FNPs can work in after graduating. But how? Do FNPs learn enough in school to work in such an acute setting?

Let’s explore these questions and the journey from FNP to working in the hospital!

 in the hospital or the ER is very different from family practice. ER NPs usually work odd hours and have different start times, such as 6 pm until 2 am, not just regular night shift hours as registered nurses do.

How the rest of the workday goes really depends on how busy the ER or hospital unit is. Most hospital providers will round individually on their patients, either admitted or those in triage, doing their assessments and ordering testing. Later in the shift, they will make their rounds with the full team, including the attending physician. When working in the ER, NPs must be prepared to see a wide variety of different complaints and patients of all ages.

NPs often work as part of a team with other providers, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare workers like social workers in the hospital setting. This makes it a supportive and multidisciplinary environment that many FNPs describe as a great learning experience. But, how do you make the transition to the hospital or ER as an FNP successfully?

How to transition to the hospital as an FNP

In FNP school, students are given a broad overview of practically everything that can occur in medicine including things like diabetes management, women’s health, pregnancy care, pediatrics, and care for the elderly. They have to be responsible for a lot in primary care, which is still the most common area of employment for FNPs.

Most hospitals and ERs don’t require separate certifications or any other special requirements other than the FNP degree. Many, however, do require an ER certificate or special training. While there are no set requirements for becoming a hospital NP, there are a few steps that can help you get there!

Most NP degree programs will require a BSN as well as an associate’s degree. So starting with a BSN is an important first step!

2. Gain experience in hospital or emergency room nursing

After you get your BSN, it’s a great time to start your hospital career. You can begin on a medical-surgical unit to get your feet wet or go straight to the ER, whichever works best for you. Get a few years of experience in this area to know how the hospital functions and what kind of patients you’ll be seeing in the future.

This can be a master's degree or a doctoral degree. Try to get some of your clinical hours in with a hospitalist or ER provider during this time. Some continue to work during school while others don’t but try to work somewhere in the hospital or in the ER if you do.

, so look into this before applying for jobs. There are multiple different certifications that FNPs and other NPs can get in emergency and acute inpatient care. This can involve a certificate program through a university, like a separate degree or a continuing education program. This will often include a fellowship program with the hospital and the ER to give you something similar to a residency.

Once your certification education is complete, you can apply for the Emergency Nurse Practitioner Exam to officially gain your certification and start applying for jobs.

If you’ve been working in the hospital or have some clinicals with a hospitalist or ER provider, start connecting with them, letting them know you’re an FNP now and looking for work. See what jobs they have and start applying.

How to find a hospital or ER job as an FNP

Here are a few tips on finding a hospital or emergency room NP job:

Make connections with hospitalists or ER providers and managers

Work in the hospital or ER as a registered nurse

Do some clinical with a hospitalist or in the ER

Reach out to local organizations of ER providers to network

So, you’ve decided you want to work as a hospital or ER NP. What’s that going to look like over the next few years?

 for a full-time ER NP was $130,000, some as high as $170,000. It’s predicted that the need for hospital providers will only increase over the next few years, and they have been essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospital care is one of the more stable career paths and an excellent option for FNPs!

Finding an FNP job in an acute isn’t easy, but becoming more and more common. So start your hospital or ER career today, even as an FNP!

Alison Shely, DNP, FNP-C is a nurse practitioner, nurse coach, and nurse content writer who specializes in articles, guest blogger, and healthcare worker wellness. She has been in nursing since 2014, working in intensive care, women’s health, and primary care as a registered nurse and family nurse practitioner. Her specialty topics include mental health, health and wellness, yoga philosophy and practice, and community health. She also serves as a health coach and mentor to other nurses and healthcare workers concerning healthy lifestyles and mental health.

Is an FNP Degree Worth It? Here's the Pros and Cons

Where Can FNPs Work, Besides Primary Care?

Can an FNP Work in Psych? Your Career Guide

Can an FNP Work in Women’s Health? Find out Here.

Can FNPs Work in the Hospital? Your 2022 Guide

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