How to get Family Nurse Practitioner Certification?

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To become a certified family nurse, one must complete post-secondary education, gain nursing experience, and pass a certification exam. Family nurses can diagnose and treat illnesses and are qualified to perform primary healthcare roles. Applicants must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Graduate Program in Nursing. They must also have verifiable family nurse practitioner experience before taking the certification exam. Upon completion, family nurses can perform physical examinations, order labs and tests, and prescribe medications. They can also meet the healthcare needs of communities with a shortage of doctors.

There are three steps required to obtain professional family nurse certification: post-secondary education, nursing experience, and successful completion of the certification exam. A family nurse is a licensed nurse who has completed additional training as a nurse, specializing in family medicine and is capable of performing a variety of roles as a primary health care provider. Family nurses can diagnose and treat a variety of illnesses and health problems.

People who want to earn family nurse certification often have worked as a registered nurse or nurse for several years and enjoy working with people. Family physician certification is awarded by the Center for Nurse Accreditation or the American Academy of Nursing Professionals. It is the university’s responsibility to ensure that applicants meet the academic requirements for that specialty as required by the certifying agencies. Certification requirements vary by state, and all prospective family nurse practitioners should check their local requirements.

The first step in obtaining family physician certification is to complete a post-secondary education program. Applicants must have completed both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Graduate Program in Nursing to be eligible for admissions to the Family Nursing Program. This program is typically one year of full-time schooling and is considered a second undergraduate degree. There are a limited number of universities offering this program, and competition for admissions is fierce.

A minimum amount of family nurse practitioner experience is required before you are eligible to take the family nurse practitioner certification exam. This must be verifiable and completed under the supervision of a licensed physician or certified nurse. Most applicants fulfill this experience requirement as part of their full-time nursing position.

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) exam is a computer-based, multiple-choice exam. The American Nurse Accreditation Center and the American Academy of Nursing Professionals offer preparation courses and seminars to help students prepare for this exam. View study preparation options and select the one that will work best for you.

Upon successful completion of family physician certification, candidates are qualified to complete physical examinations of patients, order labs and tests, and prescribe medications. Additional training in family care covers a wide range of common illnesses and ailments. Chronic shortages of doctors in small towns and rural areas leave communities with no trained medical professionals. Family nurse practitioners can meet the vast majority of health service needs in these communities.




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