How to Know If Being a Family Nurse Practitioner is Right for You
If you’re considering a career as a family nurse, you might have some questions regarding whether this is the right job role for you, especially if you don’t have any experience in a similar field. Family nursing requires some specific skills and can be tough at times, so it’s vital that you’re suited for the field if you pursue it. However, don’t let this put you off – this is a highly rewarding career that allows you to make a huge difference in the lives of others. In this article, we’ll discuss what to think about when considering becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) so that you know you’re making the right choice.
Research the Job Requirements
Before you start applying for courses or roles as an FNP, you’ll want to make sure that you have a solid understanding of the job requirements and what your days will entail. If you’re considering a career in this field, you probably already possess some of the natural qualities of a good FNP, such as a caring manner with people of all ages and the ability to form long-term fulfilling relationships with patients. However, there is a whole host of responsibilities within this role that you will need to be aware of before you begin, which might not always be obvious:
Prescribing medications: As part of your role as an FNP, you will need to be confident in identifying certain conditions and prescribing medications for patients. Because of this, you’ll need a solid knowledge base that may take some time to develop.
Ordering diagnostic tests for patients: When assessing a patient, you might need to order some diagnostic tests to give you a clearer picture of a patient’s condition. As part of this process, you may also be required to interpret the results of these tests, so strong analytical thinking will be needed.
Assisting with some surgeries: As an FNP, you may sometimes be assisting doctors with minor surgeries, so it’s important that you can be level-headed in stressful situations, and with a knack for comforting patients who are worried or overwhelmed.
Don’t worry if you’re feeling daunted by the scope of a role in family nursing; as long as you have a caring character, as well as the will and dedication to study hard and learn as you go, you can excel in this industry. What’s more, if you need some inspiration about what to work on, you can read this guide to become a Family Nurse Practitioner from Marymount University to give you a clear path to getting qualified and starting out in the field. This career really does play a huge part in people’s lives, so it’s worth putting in that extra effort.
Understand Your Strengths and Weaknesses
The next step when trying to work out if being a family nurse 0ractitioner is right for you is to take a note of your strengths and weaknesses and pay close attention to the ones that may be directly applicable to the industry. Once you’ve researched the job requirements, write them out in a list and then go through each one to decide what strengths an FNP would need to meet each. For example, the requirement of an understanding of diagnostic tests would need to be met by someone who is analytical and can cope with long hours of studying to grasp difficult concepts.
With a clearer understanding of how your own strengths meet the requirements of an FNP, you can tell if this role might be right for you. However, you don’t need to be disheartened if your skills don’t match exactly, or you feel like one of your weaknesses is at odds with what is expected in the field – these notes should be a starting point for your work towards success in the industry. You can work on your weaknesses over time, and if you’ve enrolled in an online program, then this is only the beginning! With dedication and hard work, your successful career as a family nurse practitioner is there for the taking.
Speak to Others Already in the Industry
Lastly, another great way to find out if a career as a family nurse practitioner is right for you is to reach out to individuals who are already in the industry to discuss their experiences. Through networking with others, which can be done in person or online, you can speak with current FNPs, and those who have left the profession, to gain an understanding of their experiences as well as what they liked and disliked. You could also ask them for advice on how to break into the field as a new starter, and how to work your way up the professional ladder when you’re confident to do so.
The fact that networking in the nurse practitioner industry can be done online is a blessing when it comes to working out if this is a career that would suit you – you have a whole range of experience and knowledge right at your fingertips. Whether you’re discussing a certain treatment type with other FNPs in a Facebook group, or you’re sending a copy of your resume to a LinkedIn contact, you’ll quickly discover that the benefits of networking are endless. If you combine this with traditional networking as part of your program, you’ll be able to confidently assess whether a career as an FNP is right for you.
Ultimately, only you can decide whether becoming a family nurse practitioner is the right move for you, but with this guide, you can ensure that you’ve set yourself up for success whatever you choose. If you have the main qualities that FNPs possess, and you are passionate about helping others and creating positive long-term relationships with patients of all ages, then there should be nothing stopping you. The journey into your new career will be daunting, but the reward once you’ve completed your program and gained your qualifications is priceless. Speaking with others in the industry and identifying what you need to work on will make the transition into family nursing smoother and more enjoyable, meaning your dream career is just around the corner!
