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.

"in 12 states and the district of columbia, nps are categorized as having prescriptive authority for controlled substances, "independent of any direct physician involvement".5 in five of these twelve states (montana, new hampshire, utah, washington and wyoming), nps are still required to have indirect physician involvement, such as a joint practice agreement, physician chart review, or a consultation and referral plan."

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3958/is_200403/ai_n9375726

i think you may find this link informative.

"states where nurse practitioners have prescriptive authority,according to the american academy of nurse practitioners,http://www.aanp.org/ , include: alaskawashington (state)oregonmontanaarizonanew mexicowisconsinmainenew hampshiredistrict of columbiathe remaining states require some level of collaboration in order toprescribe." http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=28831

and this one is from the "dea"

http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugreg/practioners/

this is a really good link as well. it breaks it down state by state.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/440315

this is a map from the aanp (american academy of nurse practitioners)

http://www.aanp.org/.../authority+to+prescribe+map+5-05+color.pdf

i hope this helps!!!

Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.
I'm sure this answer is a bit late, but it SUCKS for NP's in Oklahoma. PA's totally rule in OK, b/c the PA program at OU is far bigger than the NP program. In fact, that's the only NP program in the entire state. I used to live in OK and I remember an ad for a NP at Baptist in OKC (about 5 years ago), it paid $35,000 a year! I couldn't believe it! I now live in TX and it is the polar opposite here...there are far more NP's than PA's and WE RULE!

Wow, thanks so much for that info. I'm working on my BSN right now and my goal is to be a NP but I also want to stay here in Oklahoma (for various reasons, mainly my aging parents) so that is a little dissapointing to hear about NP's here in Oklahoma....in fact, I hardly every see any of them around.

I will keep PA school in mind then after working as a RN for a few years...

I really liked the idea though of as a NP working under my own license, I don't like the idea as a PA working under an MD/DO but I also dont want to waste time in NP school if there are not many opportunities here too...

I have time to decide though, thanks for the response. $35,000 a year is ridiculas for an NP.

OK, this makes me VERY sad. I am in Illinois. I am originally from Texas. Is this state any better?

Can anyone steer me toward a link outlining the scope of practice in each state for NPs (independent vs collaborative)? Thanks!

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

findurpassion, you can try to link to all the bon:

list of individual states - state board of nursing

Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.

I currently live in Nevada, but originally am from Michigan. I must say that Nevada seems like a decent place to practice as an NP. They seem to be respected and have a decent pay.

Michigan is a GREAT place to work as an NP, especially in the northern areas. The northern part of Michigan is considered to be a "rural" area, when in fact its actually a prospering part of the state. NP's have a huge involvement with the communities. Michigan is also a wonderful state to practice as a DO.

I do not know from my own experience, but I am in a NP program in Missouri and my instructors say that Louisiana is really bad... no prescriptive authority...basically glorified RNs.

I've never heard anything good about Hawaii.

Nevada and Texas I'm pretty clueless on.

-Dave

I've had to give an MD'sDEA number when I phoned in meds for one of my pts. on vacation in Texas. I like Ct. .-we have a COLLABORATIVE relationship with MD.'s not supervisory.

TX requires Board Cert., can write for any non controlled. Schedule 3-5 30 day supply. No writing for schedule 2 though. Scope of practice-anything you are competent in. Know yourself and your limits. Know when to ask for help and know when to refer. That's a good NP.

TX requires Board Cert., can write for any non controlled. Schedule 3-5 30 day supply. No writing for schedule 2 though. Scope of practice-anything you are competent in. Know yourself and your limits. Know when to ask for help and know when to refer. That's a good NP.

Knowing when and where to refer is good any professional, including MD/DO/PhD

Thanks for the update on TX

I will begin a direct entry NP program this fall in Boston. However, I will be returning to my home state of Illinois when I am finished, or shortly there after. I was wondering why everyone says Illinois is so bad? There are no reasons given, just that it is no good.

I currently live in Nevada, but originally am from Michigan. I must say that Nevada seems like a decent place to practice as an NP. They seem to be respected and have a decent pay.

Michigan is a GREAT place to work as an NP, especially in the northern areas. The northern part of Michigan is considered to be a "rural" area, when in fact its actually a prospering part of the state. NP's have a huge involvement with the communities. Michigan is also a wonderful state to practice as a DO.

That's great-- do anything about practicing as an NP in the metro-Detroit area?

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