Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) play a pivotal role in the health and wellbeing of their patients.
Their role includes treating disease and injury, but another, just as important task is to promote wellness and help their patients maintain a healthy lifestyle.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at how FNPs achieve this goal. We’ll also discover how, if you’re already a practicing nurse, you can extend your skills and expertise to step into an FNP role.
This rewarding career will appeal to you if you love to see your patients thriving and achieving their health goals, so read on to know more.
Holistic assessment
Assessment is the first step in any healthcare consultation. The difference that an FNP makes is that they focus on the overall picture of their patient’s health. This enables them to treat them as a whole person rather than focusing on individual symptoms.
They do this in a variety of ways. They may investigate a patient’s lifestyle or ask them about their home and work life. An FNP will also consider their patient’s emotional status. This approach means they look further than their patient’s symptoms and help them get to the root of their issues.
Goal setting and planning
Working with their patients as a team is another important aspect of the FNP role. By discussing patients’ unique health goals, an FNP empowers them to take responsibility for their health. In turn, this helps them understand the value of health and wellbeing in the long term.
Together, they can plan and set achievable goals, which gives the patient a sense of autonomy and satisfaction as they fulfill these aims. This creates a “virtuous circle” where a patient’s success means improved health — now and in the future.
Nutritional guidance
An FNP is not only trained to recognize the symptoms of disease and how to treat it. They also understand how a healthy, balanced diet can contribute to the better health of their patients.
This knowledge means they can advise patients with chronic health conditions affected by diet, such as diabetes, obesity and Crohn’s disease. They are also equipped to help patients who are aiming to stay healthy and reduce their risk of disease.
FNPs can help patients create diet plans and provide advice on shopping, cooking, and eating healthily. This contributes enormously to patients’ overall health and wellbeing.
Physical activity recommendations
An essential part of maintaining health and wellbeing is to hit physical activity targets. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise that adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity a week. They should also perform muscle-strengthening exercises at least two days a week.
An FNP will be aware of these guidelines and understand the many benefits patients can reap from regular exercise. They will also be able to help their patients adapt exercise schedules according to their unique abilities and needs. This helps to support the health and wellbeing of all sections of the community.
Behavioral modification strategies
In addition to understanding physical symptoms and diseases, FNPs are also trained to deal with mental health issues. This enables them to identify and offer help to patients who could benefit from modifying their behavior to improve their health.
These patients may be affected by anxiety, depression, addiction or other mental health issues. Their FNP can work with them to understand and manage their behavior and create strategies to break out of negative cycles. An FNP can also refer patients to more specialized services if they require additional or targeted support.
Ongoing monitoring and support
FNPs care for patients on a long-term basis, so they are well-positioned to provide ongoing monitoring and support. They may do this through regular health checks. This allows them to review and adjust goals, offering help and advice that reflects their patients’ changing needs.
FNPs may also refer patients to other support services that can provide additional help for specific concerns. This flexible and continued support means that patients have a greater chance of achieving their wellbeing and healthy lifestyle goals.
Interested in training as an FNP?
As you can see, working as an FNP can provide great satisfaction as you accompany patients on their journey to health. If you’re already a registered nurse with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), you may be eligible to enroll in a post-master’s FNP program, enabling you to care for patients as an FNP and promote their health and wellbeing. To find out more, click here. The online Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Master’s Certificate, available through reputable institutions such as Rockhurst University, is designed for professionals who are currently practicing as nurses and hold a Master’s degree.
The coursework is delivered 100% online, allowing you to fit study around your busy lifestyle while cutting down on the time and expense of traveling to campus. You’ll also benefit from hands-on experience during clinical placements. This program also includes one on-campus immersion, where you’ll receive training using the latest equipment.
This program can be completed in as little as four semesters. This means you could start practicing as an FNP and helping your patients achieve improved health through education and support sooner than you thought possible.
Discover a whole new career path
Working as an FNP could open many doors for you and your patients. This rewarding and in-demand career allows you to care for patients of all ages over the course of their lives.
For patients, the support of an FNP can make a real difference, giving them the support and confidence they need to lead healthy lifestyles with a focus on wellbeing.
If you’re already working as a nurse and are attracted to this fulfilling area of care, consider enrolling in an FNP program.
