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.

I Don't Know About Any Other State But My Np Friends Here In Kentucky Seem To Do Alright. They Can Open Their Own Clinics, Write Prescriptions And Beginning In June They Will Be Able To Write Prescriptions For Narc, Get Their Own Dea Numbers Etc. I Only Like 33 Hours And I Am Thinking About Returning To School. My Friends Make A Lot More Money Than I Do As A Nurse Educator. One Of My Friends Makes Over 100,000/year, Pretty Good Money For Me.;)

Specializes in Peds Urology,primary care, hem/onc.

I am a PNP in Delaware (who used to live in GA). I moved up here for the job. We are treated very well here. I can perscriptions, have a DEA # so I can write for narcotics and have a UPIN # so I can write/bill for labs and medical supplies for medicaid patients. It is definitely a step up from what it was in GA. It is actually quite ironic because our fellow and residents cannot write scripts for narcotics b/c they do not have their DEA numbers yet.

What a shame that any state would make it hard for NP's to provide care. Many people can't afford healthcare/$$$doctors. Many MD's are quitting many of the states listed in this fourm, because is to costly. Is the NP being MD's controled, thus the MD withholding care from people who need it?

Here in Missouri I hear NP's have it good, but the CNM can not do diliveries. What a shame.

Specializes in ICU.
What a shame that any state would make it hard for NP's to provide care. Many people can't afford healthcare/$$$doctors. Many MD's are quitting many of the states listed in this fourm, because malpractice insurance is to costly. Is the NP being MD's controled, thus the MD withholding care from people who need it?

Here in Missouri I hear NP's have it good, but the CNM can not do diliveries. What a shame.

Here in GA the Georgia Medical Association fought tooth and nail to prevent NPs from earning prescriptive rights. We still won, but it's embarrassing. There are plenty of NP clinics that are managed and run by NPs, NPs assess and diagnose, NPs decide on which prescriptions to write. But the scripts can only be called in with the physician's name even if the MD never sets foot into the clinic or sees patients. Earning a paycheck for doing nothing! Isn't that something?!

Here in GA the Georgia Medical Association fought tooth and nail to prevent NPs from earning prescriptive rights. We still won, but it's embarrassing. There are plenty of NP clinics that are managed and run by NPs, NPs assess and diagnose, NPs decide on which prescriptions to write. But the scripts can only be called in with the physician's name even if the MD never sets foot into the clinic or sees patients. Earning a paycheck for doing nothing! Isn't that something?!

It looks like GA takes the cake of the worst State for NPs for now. I'm sorry to hear that :o

Specializes in ER, critical care.

Seems like GA is the loser hands down from what I have seen here.

Tennessee isn't so bad. We are required to have a collaborative agreement with a physician, he doesn't have to be on site. We have prescriptive priveleges for legend drugs and schedule 2 - 5 controlled substances with the appropriate DEA number.

The salary seems to be going up here a little as well. At least for ER. The job postings seem to low ball the rate a little but doesn't take much effort to talk the hiring party up to a respectable wage and fringe package.

However, physician attitudes about NPs vary widely. A good group makes a big difference.

I hear Georgia just passed the law for NPs to write scripts. They are supposedly dragging their heels on it and the NPs have to be proactive in getting the paperwork done. What a shame! That does not motivate me to ever want to go there to practice. NM and AZ lead the way though!

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

Just want to congratulate Georgia on writing that final chapter. There has to be a beginning of the effort to allow NPs the prescription privilege and there has to be an ending. It will take time for the paperwork to get lined out.

Again, congrats, Georgia. What a beginning for you.

I found this: http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/healthworkforce/reports/scope/scope3-5.htm#4

It's actually an index of all the states -- ranking the working/state regulatory environments of NPs.

Specializes in primary care, pediatrics, OB/GYN, NICU.

yippee! Oregon is considered an "excellent environment" according to the wedsite you posted MSUnurse07! I just finished my first year of FNP/MSN in Oregon. I had heard Oregon was one of the best states for NP's to practice in. Glad to know I'm in the right state.

Actually, mississippi is a pretty good place to work as an NP. I work on the coast and have never had any problems with the M.D's here that I have collaberated with. Also--most eveyone I know is making 80-100 K a year. I have heard some dis about NP's but it seems to be comming from the doc's that are just butt's in general. the ones that treat RN's like poop as well when they are rounding in the hsopitals. Also the cost of living here is so much less than DC or LA or NYC(with the same pay)! I'm happy!

Zias, where are you going to FNP school at?

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