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.

Only NP's and PA's can write scripts-other than MD's.

Thats not true.

Chiropractors

Psychologists

Pharmacists

Physical Therapists

Can all write scripts in one or more states.

Thats not true.

Chiropractors

Psychologists

Pharmacists

Physical Therapists

Can all write scripts in one or more states.

Sorry, but you are wrong.

Psychologists do not have prescribing priv., the med order has to come from the psychiatrist, or they can make a recommendation to the PMD, but they cannot write the Rx.

Pharmacists do not write prescriptions, they can take a verbal order. But they cannot prescribe medication that needs a prescription.

Physical Therapists can not write a medication prescription, they can order devices for patient, or order treatments, but they cannot order medications.

Chiropractors in most states do not have prescriptive authority, and if they do, it is severely restricted.

Psychologists with extra training can write scripts from a limited formulary in New Mexico & Louisiana. Don't know anything about chiros, PTs or pharmacists, though.

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? what do you think IL makes it in one of those in the worst list? ...lol....I'm in IL but still a student- i have some choices where to practice in a few years...choices are NY, CA and IL??? Can you help ?...lol...

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT ANY OTHER STATE BUT NP IN KENTUCKY SEEM TO DO ALRIGHT. I HAVE SEVERAL FRIENDS THAT ARE NP AND THEY SEEM TO ENJOY IT. THEY CAN WRITE PRESCRIPTIONS AND EVEN HAVE THEIR OWN CLINICS. THEY HAVE TO HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH MD IN ORDER TO ADMIT PT. RECENTLY THE LEGISLATURE PASSED LAW THAT NP COULD NOW WRITE PRESCRIPTIONS FOR NARCS. THEY HAVE TO APPLY FOR DEA NUMBER, MEDICARE NUMBER ETC. THIS LAW GOES INTO EFFECT JUNE I THINK. BUT MY FRIEND MAKE A LOT MORE MONEY THAN I DO AS A NURSE EDUCATOR AND HAVE MORE AUTONOMY THAN I DO:uhoh3:

I Don't Know About Any Other State But My Np Friends Here In Kentucky Seem To Do Alright. They Can Open Their Own Clinics, Write Prescriptions And Beginning In June They Will Be Able To Write Prescriptions For Narc, Get Their Own Dea Numbers Etc. I Only Like 33 Hours And I Am Thinking About Returning To School. My Friends Make A Lot More Money Than I Do As A Nurse Educator. One Of My Friends Makes Over 100,000/year, Pretty Good Money For Me.;)

Specializes in Peds Urology,primary care, hem/onc.

I am a PNP in Delaware (who used to live in GA). I moved up here for the job. We are treated very well here. I can perscriptions, have a DEA # so I can write for narcotics and have a UPIN # so I can write/bill for labs and medical supplies for medicaid patients. It is definitely a step up from what it was in GA. It is actually quite ironic because our fellow and residents cannot write scripts for narcotics b/c they do not have their DEA numbers yet.

What a shame that any state would make it hard for NP's to provide care. Many people can't afford healthcare/$$$doctors. Many MD's are quitting many of the states listed in this fourm, because is to costly. Is the NP being MD's controled, thus the MD withholding care from people who need it?

Here in Missouri I hear NP's have it good, but the CNM can not do diliveries. What a shame.

Specializes in ICU.
What a shame that any state would make it hard for NP's to provide care. Many people can't afford healthcare/$$$doctors. Many MD's are quitting many of the states listed in this fourm, because malpractice insurance is to costly. Is the NP being MD's controled, thus the MD withholding care from people who need it?

Here in Missouri I hear NP's have it good, but the CNM can not do diliveries. What a shame.

Here in GA the Georgia Medical Association fought tooth and nail to prevent NPs from earning prescriptive rights. We still won, but it's embarrassing. There are plenty of NP clinics that are managed and run by NPs, NPs assess and diagnose, NPs decide on which prescriptions to write. But the scripts can only be called in with the physician's name even if the MD never sets foot into the clinic or sees patients. Earning a paycheck for doing nothing! Isn't that something?!

Here in GA the Georgia Medical Association fought tooth and nail to prevent NPs from earning prescriptive rights. We still won, but it's embarrassing. There are plenty of NP clinics that are managed and run by NPs, NPs assess and diagnose, NPs decide on which prescriptions to write. But the scripts can only be called in with the physician's name even if the MD never sets foot into the clinic or sees patients. Earning a paycheck for doing nothing! Isn't that something?!

It looks like GA takes the cake of the worst State for NPs for now. I'm sorry to hear that :o

Specializes in ER, critical care.

Seems like GA is the loser hands down from what I have seen here.

Tennessee isn't so bad. We are required to have a collaborative agreement with a physician, he doesn't have to be on site. We have prescriptive priveleges for legend drugs and schedule 2 - 5 controlled substances with the appropriate DEA number.

The salary seems to be going up here a little as well. At least for ER. The job postings seem to low ball the rate a little but doesn't take much effort to talk the hiring party up to a respectable wage and fringe package.

However, physician attitudes about NPs vary widely. A good group makes a big difference.

I hear Georgia just passed the law for NPs to write scripts. They are supposedly dragging their heels on it and the NPs have to be proactive in getting the paperwork done. What a shame! That does not motivate me to ever want to go there to practice. NM and AZ lead the way though!

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