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.

Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.

So you automatically believe the distortions in the media?

I don't know where to start, so I won't. :)

Ron

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.
So you automatically believe the distortions in the media?

I don't know where to start, so I won't. :)

Ron

You picked out one part of one sentence, took it out of context, and focused on that.

Does it matter if FNP or ANP for these various states?

Thanks juan de la cruzzzzzzzz

Specializes in FNP.
nomadcrna said:
So you automatically believe the distortions in the media?

I don't know where to start, so I won't.

Nomad, my gut response is stemming from the fact that I find the stated values of elected officials in AZ to be completely abhorrent. I assume just by the fact that they were elected, that the voting public supports platforms I would categorize as sanctioning egregious human rights violations. I have already admitted that perhaps this is not a fair way to make assessments of random AZ residents and apologized. Nevertheless, I suspect I would not be comfortable there and in any event my husband does like his prospects at the bar. AZ is not going to make the cut. Right now, Seattle is at the top of the list. However, I have just learned that I am a finalist for this fellowship (I applied when I realized the possibility of getting a NP job in my present area is about nill)

I am going to put off being a NP for at least a year if I actually get it, and focus on policy issues at the Center for Genetics and Society via the Tides Foundation. I'm very excited! :yeah:

Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.

I guess my agreeing with the Arizona officials and applauding that they are trying to protect the citizens offsets your nay vote. I also agree with Arizona attempting to stem the tide of illegal aliens. As one who comes from Arizona and has seen first hand the immense amounts of money, our money that goes to supporting illegal aliens, I could not agree more.

Go Jan Brewer. Keep up the good work.

Specializes in FNP.

Clearly, we don't have common ground here (I too live in a state that is home to many undocumented persons) but as the issues aren't going to be solved on allnurses, I say we agree to disagree and live to fight another day.

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.

Best is Washington state by a mile. I practiced in Florida and felt like I couldn't diagnose a cough without being second-guessed by the MD. In Washington, there are a TON of NP-run clinics. If you ask a Washington state resident who their primary is, there's a good chance they'll pull out the doctor's office business card and 'ARNP' will be written next to the primary's name.

The Pearson Report ranks Arizona as the best state in the nation to practice as a NP - a 100% rating. NPs here are completely autonomous and have been for a decade. NP independent practice here is commonplace and widely accepted by the public. Salaries are very good too - PMHNPs in the public sector start at ~120K.

As for the politics, the national attention the state has received is not the day-to-day experience of living here. Phoenix, on the whole, does tend to lean conservative, but it is now the 5th largest city in the US and all walks of life are represented and readily apparent. Prior to Jan Brewer as the current governor, Janet Napolitano was governor and did an excellent job. She would still be governor but, as you may recall, she resigned to become Secretary of Homeland Security when asked by President Obama. The politics here is colorful, but it is not homogenous.

Tucson, on the other hand, is a bastion of progressive ideas and liberalism and is called the 'Berkley of the Southwest.' There is a palpable 'cowboy culture' if you look for it, but it is not 'redneck' by any means. I have found people here to be highly intelligent, well-read, activist-minded, cultured, and very friendly.

If you are considering where to practice as a NP, check out AZ - as long as you like constant sunshine.

Al dente,

I live in AZ. Thanks for putting into words exactly how I see my wonderful state. I'm an AZ native. I'd also like to add that it's a beautiful state with amazing weather 9 months a year. We've got a great outdoor lifestyle and it's a few hour drive from California, Mexico, Vegas, and even skiing here in AZ! I love it here and don't wanna live anywhere else!

Now that I'm licensed in AZ and credentialed by Megellan, I may be heading that way next year. Al dente, I need a place with people friendly to alternative therapies also and who don't mind paying out of pocket for it.

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