What are the BEST and WORST States to practice as an NP?

Specialties NP Nursing Q/A

I am speaking primarily from two perspectives here:

1. The degree to which NP's are accepted, recognized, and utilized in that area/state.

2. The degree to which state law recognizes NP's, and grants them autonomy, and privledges such as the ability to write prescriptions.

I don't know about the legalities, but I'd never advise an NP to seek work in Mississippi. 99% of the doctors I've heard mention NPs (or heard by word of mouth from my brother who is a high-and-mighty MD :rolleyes:.) seem to think they're uneducated hacks. Ugh. :(

All MD's in MS are not threatened by NP's as this sounds. I am currently in the NP program at MUW and I have had a good relationship with those I have worked with in clinical! The NP's I know are working fairly autonomously with an MD available for collaboration. NP's in MS have prescriptive rights and can obtain a DEA for authority to write anything their patients may need. Evidence-based practice serves as the guide for safe, sound practice! :twocents:

From what I have seen, NP's are in great deman and, for the most part, are respected and highly utilized in rural SE Tennessee where I live. I think that in the rural areas where there is a shortage of HCP's this is the case. I don't see as many PA's in this area for some reason. In Tennessee a NP can set up shop on their own. Perhaps someone else can speak to this better than I, but I believe in Tennessee the only regulation is a physician with whom the NP can collaberate PRN and a periodic review of a percentage of charts.

From what I have seen, NP's are in great deman and, for the most part, are respected and highly utilized in rural SE Tennessee where I live. I think that in the rural areas where there is a shortage of HCP's this is the case. I don't see as many PA's in this area for some reason. In Tennessee a NP can set up shop on their own. Perhaps someone else can speak to this better than I, but I believe in Tennessee the only regulation is a physician with whom the NP can collaberate PRN and a periodic review of a percentage of charts.

This is true for most states. Missouri, where I practice, is one of the most limited as we can't write for CS yet (supposed to change this year). There are ways around it but overall I can set up my own clinic and pay a doc a consulting fee to come in twice monthly and sign a chart or two and that would satisfy the law (of course there is also little crap that you have to have on paper but it doesn't really change anything).

Specializes in ABMT.

How about North Carolina?

Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.
Texas is a great place to live and work as an RN. The pay is good, we enjoy much autonomy, and there is less competition for high ranking positions.

OK but for NP's it's not as good as it could be. NP's in Texas have to have a "collaborating physician" & they can not write for schedule 2 narcotics, that requires a "triplicate carbon copy" so even some cough meds, NP's can not give. I went to FNP program at UT-El Paso. As for one of the best states to practice in- New Mexico. Np's have complete independent practice with full prescriptive priveledges. Many NP's have their own practices & have admitting priveledges at hospitals. The Board of Medicine does not regulate NP practice as in some states, The Board of Nursing regulates NP practice. Controlled substance regulation for prescriptive authority is issued by Board of Pharmacy.

Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

What it is like for NP's in Oklahoma?

OK but for NP's it's not as good as it could be. NP's in Texas have to have a "collaborating physician" & they can not write for schedule 2 narcotics, that requires a "triplicate carbon copy" so even some cough meds, NP's can not give. I went to FNP program at UT-El Paso. As for one of the best states to practice in- New Mexico. Np's have complete independent practice with full prescriptive priveledges. Many NP's have their own practices & have admitting priveledges at hospitals. The Board of Medicine does not regulate NP practice as in some states, The Board of Nursing regulates NP practice. Controlled substance regulation for prescriptive authority is issued by Board of Pharmacy.

New Mexico, here I come....

Specializes in OB, Cardiac.
I don't know guys - Illinois ranks up there on the "worst" list. That's why I'm in a generic MSN program - it doesn't pay to be a NP.

Why is Illinois so bad for NPs? Is it just the salaries? Are you talking Chicagoland area or elsewhere in the state? I want to work in Chicagoland area so I'm a bit concerned when you say IL is bad. Thanks, CLK :uhoh21:

This is my first post to the NP forum....I am in the NP program here in MO. now....I have always wanted to travel more....has anyone tried the traveling NP opportunities?

wondering where in MO you are attending for your NP. I am an ADN RN, and wanting to persue BSN, MSN, NP. Thanks for any info.

Sure would be nice to find an up to date list of NP priviledges in all states.

What it is like for NP's in Oklahoma?

I'm sure this answer is a bit late, but it SUCKS for NP's in Oklahoma. PA's totally rule in OK, b/c the PA program at OU is far bigger than the NP program. In fact, that's the only NP program in the entire state. I used to live in OK and I remember an ad for a NP at Baptist in OKC (about 5 years ago), it paid $35,000 a year! I couldn't believe it! I now live in TX and it is the polar opposite here...there are far more NP's than PA's and WE RULE!

Sure would be nice to find an up to date list of NP priviledges in all states.

Try the N.P. journal. They give out a list in every January issue.

Grannynurse

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