NP Practicing Independently?

[erilynn17]

Hey everyone, I have heard that NP can practice independently (as opposed to PA practicing under MD) and I have seen many NP in MDs office, but I have never seen a NP that own their own office. Does anyone know anyone that does, or do you have any ideas why they don't? I most likely am going to be a NNP and work in a hospital, but I'm just curious.

Thanks!

[suzanne4, RN]

It depends on what the state regualtions state that an NP can do where you live. The state has the final say.

[erilynn17]

I was just asking in general, I thought that basically NPs can work independently and was wondering why most of them don't.

[suzanne4, RN]

Again, it depends on your state regulation as to whether they can have their own office. That doesn't mean that they don't have their own autonomy.

Those are two different things. It is up to what your state board says and actually where you live in your state. If they are allowed, you will see more private practice in outlying areas. But it is up to the state......................this is the point that I am trying to get across to you..... some states give much more autonomy to NPs and others don't.

[suzanne4, RN]

Certain types of NPS are always going to be hospital based and paid by the hospital, such as Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP), ERNP, etc.

Many nurse midwives have their own practice, when legal for them in their area. Same thing for FNP depending on where they are located, as an example.

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

I was just asking in general, I thought that basically NPs can work independently and was wondering why most of them don't.

I think for the same reasons most doctors don't work independently anymore - the cost of doing business in the modern health care environment almost precludes it.

[erilynn17]

Well I mean, you still see doctors working in an office, even if it is with other doctors, I thought maybe just most NP prefer to work in hospitals. Does anybody know where I can find the laws for NY?

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

Oddly, I have more frequently seen NP's in a doctor's setting, not in a hospital. The office I work in has numerous NP's in the medical and women's needs areas. I have seen an NP who works with a psychiatrist and sees pt's in the inpatient hospital setting, but otherwise, no.

All the NP's I have known working in doctor's settings do so with MD's/DO's, altho in my state they could throw out a shingle and practice independently in almost all areas (cannot prescribe narcs for weight loss, and a couple of other restrictions on prescribing, as I recall.)