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.

It's 23 degrees right now at 0709, but it warms up quick. I'm a PMHNP.

I am getting at diversity, open mindedness, etc. Arizona was on my short list until recent publicity. I cannot in god conscience raise my children in an astmosphere of hate and intolerance. I need to be able to look out my car windows and see people of different shades and colors, hear different accents and see the occasional mosque and temple, and NOT hear condemnation or judgement of same.

Wow! That's harsh! This isn't a political forum, and its not my intention to turn it into one. I am an AZ native, and don't think that you have a true assessment of AZ. Yes, there has been negative stuff in the news, but when is there ever positive stuff in the news? We are a diverse state, and you will see many colors, creeds, and religions. Vacation here and give it a try. And if not, well, we have too many transplants hoggin' the place up anyway!!

Good luck and Blessings in your search! :heartbeat

Specializes in FNP.

No disrespect to AZ natives. All I know is what I see on the news, with input from one person who lived in Phoenix and found it to be "redneck." (her words). I am certain there are good people in AZ. The fact remains, that governor was duly elected, and that suggests to me that my interest and values are incompatible with the majority. Id be very happy to hear I have a misimpression, b/c real estate is dirt cheap, lol.

Zenman, how do you find the cultural temperature of NM? I am getting at diversity, open mindedness, etc. Arizona was on my short list until recent publicity. I cannot in god conscience raise my children in an astmosphere of hate and intolerance. I need to be able to look out my car windows and see people of different shades and colors, hear different accents and see the occasional mosque and temple, and NOT hear condemnation or judgement of same. I can't afford to live in Sedona, so Arizona is out, lol. Schools needs to be outstanding as well, although we can afford, and would probably go, private.

I prefer warm climate to freezing, but oddly, Wisconsin is also on the short list (Milwaukee area).

I want to be in/close to a metropolitan area, close to major universities, art, theater and opportunity.

When I check out places to visit I enter the name of the place followed by "city data." You'll get al kinds of info about the place as well as forums from people living there or wanting to go there. I've only been out a little but have found everyone to be friendly. I don't think what happened in AZ was due to hate and intolerance but to mentally disturbed person.

Although both AZ and NM seem to be NP friendly from BON perspective, I'm still checking out the "underground" information.

What Zenman said about city data. I have spent many hours on city-data.com (note the hyphen between the words), reading the forums. It's a great place to get the "lowdown" about a particular city you are considering, even a particular neighborhood. People love to answer questions about where they live. Yes, I have checked the NM forums many times. :) But AN is the only place I have found where I can ask NPs what they think of the practice environment in any given state.

linearthinker, the az issues you speak of were so misconstrued in the national news, it’s not even funny. come to az and you'll find that there is diversity up the wazoo. caucasians are actually the minority here.

sb 1070 was stemmed out of the fact that our borders have been getting very violent with drug and human trafficking in the last several years and thousands of people...mostly undocumented immigrants, have been killed. this was arizona's attempt to let the federal government know that we don't have the funds to police the border with the limitations on our laws, so we enacted a state law that would allow us to do what the feds are not helping with. this law was meant to protect people from the increasing violence at the border...hispanics from both our side and mexico's side included!!!!

but back to the topic...i'm not an np but i do know that az has a pretty liberal np scope of practice. being able to practice independently is a nice bonus and there seems to be a job market for nps here.

AZ resident chiming in . . . I'm in Tucson but I've spent lots of time in Phoenix. "Redneck" is not anywhere near how I would describe Phoenix. You'll find a contingent of old cowboys and the like in Tucson and especially Prescott but I still can't say it's redneck . . . take it from someone that grew up in true redneck country (Arkansas). Phoenix is a massive city with I dare say all colors and religions represented. You'll find people with narrow perspectives anywhere you look.

Specializes in FNP.

I have noted my I'll informed impression of AZ. Thanks for the feedback there. It is still not going to make the list for reasons having to do with my spouses potential work, etc. We are looking at new mexico, Washington state and Oregon. First, a trip to the PAC NW next month to get a feel for it. In the meantime, I will check out the city data sites. Thanks!

On a somewhat-related note, I just discovered that the Pearson Report is no longer free. Bummer.

Well, the one we are making here is free!

Well, the one we are making here is free!

Your point is well taken. I will add that I am in a state with a so-so scorecard on the Pearson report, but my personal experiences as both an RN and as a student-FNP have demonstrated only cordial, productive physician-NP relationships. So I can see the advantage to a forum like this where we can share personal experiences. Also, as a novice NP, I can guarantee that issues of collaborative agreements vs. "independence" are pretty low on the priority list, compared to things like mentoring, supportive learning environments, etc.

Your point is well taken. I will add that I am in a state with a so-so scorecard on the Pearson report, but my personal experiences as both an RN and as a student-FNP have demonstrated only cordial, productive physician-NP relationships. So I can see the advantage to a forum like this where we can share personal experiences. Also, as a novice NP, I can guarantee that issues of collaborative agreements vs. "independence" are pretty low on the priority list, compared to things like mentoring, supportive learning environments, etc.

What state is that?

And your point about mentoring, etc. being high on the priority list is excellent. My plan is to get my MSN (won't finish until 2013), stay here in the East until I feel comfortable practicing (however long that takes), and then go West/Southwest. Although with this miserable, stinking winter, I am ready to RUN AWAY right now. LOL

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