Attending NP school in a state that limits NP's autonomy?

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Specializes in BSN, RN, CCRN - ICU & ER.

As a NP student, is it detrimental to attend school in a state that limits NP automony/prescriptive power? I know some states, such as Washington and Arizona, allow NP's to practice independently with complete autonomy and prescriptive powers.

My goal would be to practice in a state with more progressive laws such as Washington and Arizona. However I am considering attending NP school in a state that limits the autonomy of NP's. Will this affect my long term practice? Would it be better to move to a more autonomous state to attend NP school or does it not matter as a NP student?

Thank you in advance!

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Specializes in College Health; Women's Health.

I just finished up my program a couple months ago in Texas, where NPs, despite their best effort, are continually shut down on their attempts for autonomous practice. However, I don't think that affected my education at all. I do plan on working eventually somewhere where I'll be an independent provider as well, and being trained in Texas shouldn't affect that at all. So don't worry about finding a school in one of those states, just find a good program that suits you.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to student NP forum

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The basic curriculum and content are the same, regardless of the regs about NP practice in the state in which the school is located.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Your clinical experience/education may differ based on the autonomy of the NPs you are working with. Your program would be the same or similar as they all prepare students to take a national board exam.

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

Doesn't matter at all.

Michigan is pretty restrictive on paper, yet in many settings I observed the only one thing that differs is that NP's paperwork must be co-signed by "partnering" physician under whose name and license the NP works. That includes all prescriptions and procedure notes, and happens sometimes weeks postfactum, especially in rural underserved (or, rather, almost not served at all) areas. There are docs who drive 5 to 7 hours Up North every couple of weeks just to sign mid-levels' papers and orders and charge leg and foot for doing it.

Billing is another thing altogether, but this is a completely different issue and the one, AFAIK, which needs to be studied in depth anew every time when any provider changes the work setting.

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Specializes in BSN, RN, CCRN - ICU & ER.

Thank you all for your wonderful responses. It sounds like my focus should be on finding the best NP program without regard to where it's located! Great information and advice :)

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