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 how helpful this might be since it was last updated in 2004....but at least it will give you some sort of idea until you can find out specifically from your state board of nursing what prescriptive authorities you will have as a NP.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/440315

Hope this helps. :)

-27

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I live in IL and actually IL isn't too bad. APNs have collaborative agreements with MDs (as opposed to supervisory), full prescriptive authority also and we can bill for Medicaid nowadays. Our practice act though sundowns in 2007, so maybe even more advances are on the horizon?

Best is BY FAR Washington State. Second would probably be Penn.

WORST? Lemme start a list.

Georiga, Florida, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia.

And there are others, but I would have to pull out my chart (which is at my office)

Dave

Why Kentucky? That's where I'd most likely practice. Now I'm concerned. :uhoh21:

Specializes in ACNP-BC.

Anyone know anything about NPs' prescriptive abilities in Massachusetts? Thanks.

Are there any states that don't require a doctors signature to write a prescription?

Rokie

I'm an APRN-nurse practioner. Do you mean us or RN's? Ct.--that's where I practice. We only need a collaborative contract with an MD they don't supervise us. Only NP's and PA's can write scripts-other than MD's.

Specializes in OB, Cardiac.

what about in vermont???

Specializes in Pediatrics, NICU.

CHECK THIS OUT~ IT'S A LIST OF NP PRIVLEDGES ACCORDING TO STATE:D Hope it helps!

http://www.nursingworld.org/gova/charts/dea.htm

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

This link is to the updated prescription privileges for '04. Link provided earlier by twenty-seven. Thanks.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/440315

....

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
I agree. I just recently moved to Tx. and I rarely see NPs. I was from Az where they worked very independantly in many different areas. My goal was NP but I am not sure now that I am in Tx I should pursue it?

RNcrissy and Siri, thank you for the links. That was VERY helpful.

Hi, traumaprincess,

I grad from the U of T years ago and was amazed that the state had education for NP, but didn't utilize NPs. That's not changed much I see. A shame.

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.

Thats not what I call "independent practice"

What are the states that allow total unmitigated, independent practice? By this I mean myself as an NP can open up a full blown clinic, no MD signature EVER, and I NEVER have to consult with an MD for ANY REASON. No collaboration agreement, no supervision, nothing. Where are these states because thats where i want to move

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.

OK, are you saying that I can move to New Mexico as an NP, open and run my own clinic, and that I DONT have to have a collaboration agreement with a doctor? I dont have to consult with him, I dont have to have him review charts even once?

These are the places i'm looking for. 100% independence. NO collaboration agreement, all sched 2 drugs, zero consultation with MD, zero chart review zero cosignatures.

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