Arizona vs. Florida: What factors to consider for a new DNP grad?

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Hi Everyone,

I am currently enrolled in an adult-gero acute care DNP program in Chicago, IL, and will graduate December 2015. My boyfriend and I just started dating long distance. He moved to Tampa, FL, and I have been looking at the scope of practice and employment opportunities in Tampa and the surrounding areas. Overall, I have been disappointed with the restricted scope of practice in FL and have noticed very few job posting for acute care positions. Subsequently, he has expressed willingness to move to Phoenix, AZ if it will place me in a better entry NP position. Arizona seems to have a more independent NP scope of practice and according to my search, has a fair amount of acute care NP positions available. If possible, I am going to try to complete my residency out of state in the desired location. The American Nurses Association (2014) suggests considering the following factors:

1) Scope and Standards of Practice

2) State and Law Regulation

3) Institutional Policies and Procedures

4) Self-determination

5) Professional Liability and Risk Management Concerns

Can anyone speak on behalf of these considerations for the states of Arizona and Florida, in particular, for Phoenix and Tampa? What else should I take into consideration when looking for employment opportunities? Any feedback is appreciated. Happy Holidays!!!

Reference

American Nurses Association. (2014). Scope and standards of practice. Retrieved fromhttp://www.nursingworld.org/scopeandstandardsofpractice

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

Hi and welcome to allnurses!

Best of luck on your impending graduation and job search. I am also an ACNP and have been so for the last 11 years. I have experience working in two states, however, I have not practiced in an independent practice state like Arizona. Things are a bit different for NP's like us who mostly practice in hospital settings. In addition to state scope of practice, we also must take institutional culture in consideration and I must say I've been lucky to have worked in settings where NP's are allowed enough autonomy in actual clinical practice despite having to comply with a collaborative agreement.

Unfortunately, my knowledge of Arizona and Florida practice environments are second-hand in nature. I currently work with ACNP's who used to live in Gainesville and Tucson. They worked in medical centers affiliated with academic institutions similar to our current environment here in California. They didn't have a lot of negative things to say in fact and they were armed with a lot of skills already learned when they arrived to work with us. I think you'll find that in many cases, it matters more where you work than what state you live in.

Hopefully, other posters could offer you better insight.

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Specializes in Internal Medicine.

That's fantastic input Juan. It makes sense that culture at individual facilities matters a lot more for ACNP's than it does for NP's that will be working in primary care or outpatient settings.

It would seem to make more sense to look for jobs in both Phoenix/Tampa, and more specifically, research the hospitals with availabilities in both locations to determine their culture and environment before you make a decision.

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Thank you both for your input. I have already been looking for acute care NP positions in Tampa and Phoenix. Unfortunately, I haven't found many employment opportunities in Tampa. I have been researching Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. I currently work at a large teaching institute in Chicago, and would like to continue to work at a teaching hospital as an acute NP. If anyone has any insight at the work climate at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix for acute care NPs, I would love to hear from you! Thank you for your time and consideration.

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I just wanted to let you know about Florida . The job market is slow and the requisites for jobs in the medical field require certain things you have to pay for. Like A level 2 backround check which includes fingerprinting and photograph(105.00). And any out of state nurses must take medical errors course that is required in Florida by the Florida nursing board.

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Gosh... there are so many things to consider. Thanks for that additional info! Once I've narrowed down the state I see myself in for years to come, I have to get my RN licensed endorsed. I'm trying to give that whole process 2 months. With starting clinicals and implementing my DNP project, my hands will be full this year! I'm trying to do as much research I can before the semester. For whatever reason, I think I'm leaning towards Phoenix. Would love to hear from anyone else that can speak on behalf of acute care NPs in Arizona and Florida, in particular, Phoenix and Tampa. As the holidays are approaching for many of us, Happy Holidays!

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Florida does not have a state income tax

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