Career outlook
FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER (SOC CODE: 29-1171.00)
Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) are registered nurses who have specialized graduate education. The primary focus for FNPs is to coordinate patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare. FNPs may diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as a part of a healthcare team. They may focus on health promotion and disease prevention, order, perform or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x-rays, and prescribe medication. Family Nurse Practitioners perform many of the same services as physicians.
Students must have a registered nursing (RN) license before pursuing an advanced practice role. FNP graduates are eligible to take the national certification for advanced nursing practice.
WHAT TYPE OF WORK DO FAMILY NURSES PRACTITIONERS DO?
Family Nurse Practitioners work in doctors’ offices, clinics, private homes, schools, hospitals, and other institutions. FNPs place a strong emphasis on wellness and prevention, but also provide treatment for everything from mild ailments to serious conditions. Duties include prescribing medications, conducting exams, developing treatment plans, educating, and guiding patients on disease prevention and healthy lifestyle habits. FNPs understand the changes in health promotion throughout the aging process, perform diagnostic tests and screening evaluations, manage overall patient care, and emphasize preventative care and disease management.
CALIFORNIA EMPLOYMENT TRENDS FOR FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONERS
California employment of NPs was 17,300 employees in 2020. The need is projected to grow 56 percent from 2020 to 2030. It’s projected there will be 2,120 openings each year from 2020 until 2030.
Source: O*Net California Employment Trends for Family Nurse Practitioners
MEDIAN PAY FOR FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONERS
| Region | Median Hourly | Median Annually |
|---|---|---|
| California | $75.56 | $157,160 |
| Los Angeles and Orange Counties | $74.70 | $155,380 |
| Riverside and San Bernardino Counties | $66.26 | $137,840 |
| San Diego County | $75.55 | $157,150 |
| San Francisco and Oakland Area | $92.65 | $192,720 |