What are the BEST and WORST States to practice as an NP?

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.

:) hello I was wondering how is CT??

Specializes in Accepted...Master's Entry Program, 2008!.
I'm not the first person to ask this but only one person seems to be offering more detail about why Illinois is such a terrbiel place to be an NP. Several people have mentioned it's among the worst, but only one person has offered her 2 cents (thanks, mamanaynay!). Any body else want to comment? IL is also not ranked well on one of the websites that offers a measure of job conditions for NPs.

From what I know, that response is essentially it. The AMA keeps the use of NPs limited, as well as keeping the NP salaries artificially low. That, in itself, is enough to make it undesireable.

Search for posts by traumaRUs. She has some advice on this topic as well.

Worst state? Georgia, hands down....we are in "good old boy" country here......Hopefully soon things will change, although I'm not holding my breath!

Hello. We should not be stereotyping. The CDC is in Atlanta, hardly a group of yahoos.

Hello. We should not be stereotyping. The CDC is in Atlanta, hardly a group of yahoos.

Everybody,

Would be nice to have a resource with side-by-side comparisons of states.

If anybody knows of such a thing, do tell. Matter of fact, I'm going to check my library now. The data probably changes from year to year, though.

Diahni

RE: Info about nurse practitioners:

There is a journal with a web site:

http://www.tnpj.com/pt/re/nursepract

On amazon, it looks like books are either reviews for certification exams, or specifics about the practice. Pubmed has an abstract about statistics from the government concerning state regulations, but it's not exactly new.

Each state definitely will have their rules online, but as far as knowing the "real deal" about working state to state, allnurses.com seems like a reliable source, eh?

Diahni

Try this. It's called the Pearson Report and has information on all the states.

http://www.webnp.net/ajnp08.html

http://www.webnp.net/downloads/pearson_report08/ajnp_pearson08.pdf

David Carpenter, PA-C

Thanks, David.

Try this. It's called the Pearson Report and has information on all the states.

http://www.webnp.net/ajnp08.html

http://www.webnp.net/downloads/pears..._pearson08.pdf

David Carpenter, PA-C

Here is a great reference with each state regarding legisative issues for NPs (includes legal authority, reimbursement, & prescriptive authority)

Philips, S.J. (2006) Eighteenth annual legislative update: A comprehensive look at legislative issues affecting advanced nursing practice. The Nurse Practitioner, 31(1), 6-38.

www.tnpj.com

I wonder why California is waiting until 2008 to require NP's to have a master's degree? Anybody know?

They have a large whiney lobby - look at san fran freeko - the legislature refusing to cooperate with the FEDERAL government regarding illegal aliens, its a disgrace.

How is Florida? I hear it isn't so good and can't prescribe controlled substances...is that going to change anytime? (I hear there are plans to change that)

Thank you

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Hello, flute421,

Read the Pearson Report that core0 provided regarding RX privileges in FL. I don't have firsthand information if this will change or not.

http://www.webnp.net/images/pearsonRpt_07/Alabama_Georgia.pdf

http://www.webnp.net/ajnp08.html

http://www.webnp.net/downloads/pears..._pearson08.pdf

Specializes in Nurse Practitioner-Emergency Room.

Hi, I was just admitted into a nurse practitioner program in Kentucky. I'm not sure, but it seems that NP practice in Kentucky seems pretty good. They can write prescriptions independent from MD's, including writing controlled drugs. There are regulations (only 2 wk. supplies or certains drugs, etc.) NPs must have a collaborative agreement with an MD, which states that the MD is available for consultation with the NP regarding any prescription they write, but they don't have to sign any prescriptions or charts. Many NPs work in our emergency department, and the MDs don't have to sign anything for them, but they do have to sign all of the PAs stuff in KY. Many nurse practitioners in my area have their own office, and practice independently. They are limited on procedures though. Pay isn't that bad either it doesn't seem. It depends on who you work for. NPs working for staffing agencies in EDs around here make over 80K a year, which seems resonable to me. I'm not sure what they make in other states, and nurses around here aren't paid as well as some states, but the cost of living where I'm at isn't as high as many other places either.

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