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.

We live in Indiana, but are wanting to move to Hawaii, Nevada or possibly Texas. How do those states fit into the mix?

I've never heard anything good about Hawaii.

Nevada and Texas I'm pretty clueless on.

-Dave

I don't know about the best but the worst has got to be GEORGIA. It is still the only state in which NPs do not have prescriptive authority (but PAs do), it is so freakin' embarassing. The bill is in the legislature this year but don't hold your breath waiting for it to pass because our legislature is still wasting energy debating the important issue of gay marriage :uhoh21: , meanwhile...........

Hello, this is my first time on the board. I am an NP student and Georgia native, in Texas right now. I agree. Georgia has to be the worst. One of my NP friends went to medical school to avoid unemployment! I moved to Texas and it is a whole different world here. NP's are working ER's very independently. I heard in OK they practically staff all the ER's. I think the south-west is pretty good. Melissa P.S LOVE the quotes!!!

California is the BEST for NP's since an MSN is not required to certify and license. There are still several NP certificate programs left in the US, California has 4 or 5 such programs; an example is the UCLA Harbor hospital woman's health care NP program.

No one besides me has mentioned Texas. However, I read in other places that Texas is really good for CRNA's and nursing salaries in general. Does this not extend to NP's of all specialties (FNP,ACNP ect).

California is the BEST for NP's since an MSN is not required to certify and license. There are still several NP certificate programs left in the US, California has 4 or 5 such programs; an example is the UCLA Harbor hospital woman's health care NP program.

wow you must live real close to me! I'm like 10 minutes from harbor ucla.

I'm not sure I really support NP certificate programs though. Sounds kind of like a "bootleg" NP license. One of my clinical instructors works there and promotes their women's health program, but it seems very sketchy to me. NO BSN needed, you don't get your MSN, no prerequisites needed, and very minimal work experience. Pretty much, you could get your certificate there, but I think you would be stuck working there. Are there a lot of places that would hire a certificate NP? I don't know...doesn't sound like a great thing

Specializes in Neurology, Neurosurgerical & Trauma ICU.
Best is BY FAR Washington State. Second would probably be Penn.

WORST? Lemme start a list.

Georiga, Florida, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia.

And there are others, but I would have to pull out my chart (which is at my office)

Dave

Dave,

I'm just curious about your response. I am an RN working toward becoming a NP. I currently hold my license in the state of PA. However, I live in the WV, PA, OH tri-state area, so I could work in any of the three.

I can't see myself ever NOT working in a big city like Pittsburgh, but I never say "never". So, why do you rate WV as one of the worst and PA as one of the best?

Any advice or information you (or anyone else) could give me would be helpful. Thank you in advance for your time!

NeuroICURN

After January 1st 2008, NP's in California MUST have a masters. To be certified nationally you must always have a master's degree... no matter what state you are in.

http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_2201-2250/ab_2226_cfa_20040615_140033_sen_comm.html

California is the BEST for NP's since an MSN is not required to certify and license. There are still several NP certificate programs left in the US, California has 4 or 5 such programs; an example is the UCLA Harbor hospital woman's health care NP program.

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

Since Washington State is high on the list, where does their neighbors to the south in Oregon rank?
This is my first post to the NP forum....I am in the NP program here in MO. now....I have always wanted to travel more....has anyone tried the traveling NP opportunities?
California is the BEST for NP's since an MSN is not required to certify and license. There are still several NP certificate programs left in the US, California has 4 or 5 such programs; an example is the UCLA Harbor hospital woman's health care NP program.

The California BON REQUIRES that you provide documentation regarding your graduate studies-MSN- before you become certified in this state.

Also, most employers request that NPs not only be state certified but also

nationally/board certified. In order to sit for the board exam, you MUST

have a MSN.

I've never heard anything good about Hawaii.

Nevada and Texas I'm pretty clueless on.

-Dave

I'm in Hawaii but do not have contact with NPs. I think most of them here might work for Kaiser. I'm from Texas and compared to that state, Hawaii is a third world country. Did I say that...slap my face! :chuckle

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