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.

Specializes in Med/Surg, ER and ICU!!!.
CHECK THIS OUT~ IT'S A LIST OF NP PRIVLEDGES ACCORDING TO STATE:D Hope it helps!

http://www.nursingworld.org/gova/charts/dea.htm

Thanks for the Link. It is super helpful!

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.

And if you see an influx of MD's, know that happy times will be over for NP's. NP's would be taking $$$ from the MD pocket.

And if you see an influx of MD's, know that happy times will be over for NP's. NP's would be taking $$$ from the MD pocket.

Happy times for the MDs and DOs have been over for some time, except for some super competative specielties. But even those are nowhere close to what the've been. Things are drying up all across the board, and no discipline is immuned to their "sacred" turf anmore, IMHO

Happy times for the MDs and DOs have been over for some time, except for some super competative specielties. But even those are nowhere close to what the've been. Things are drying up all across the board, and no discipline is immuned to their "sacred" turf anmore, IMHO

In Missouri the PA's are in danger, and the CNM can't fully practice any longer. Even the CRNA in limited.

What I find to be bigeat shame of all is that nurses give their power to these doctors.

I found this site which explains NPs prescribing privileges by state http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/440315

It was published in 2002, so some of it might have changed, but it gives you a general overview of how NPs are perceived in terms of what they're allowed to prescribe.

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
I found this site which explains NPs prescribing privileges by state http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/440315

It was published in 2002, so some of it might have changed, but it gives you a general overview of how NPs are perceived in terms of what they're allowed to prescribe.

Thanks for posting that again, meagain716 (first posted on page 5).

Hope to have an updated one soon.;)

Washington seems like a pretty good state to practice in. I just shadowed a NP in independant practice for a day to see what the work enviroment was like. He worked with three other NP's in a family care practice and was working without a collaborating physician. Seemed like there was high job satisfaction in that practice overall. I've also had the priveledge of interviewing NP's who work in critical care in the hospital and never realized until recently that there are many NP's used by hospitals here. I think WA is favorable for NPs.

Thats not what I call "independent practice"

What are the states that allow total unmitigated, independent practice? By this I mean myself as an NP can open up a full blown clinic, no MD signature EVER, and I NEVER have to consult with an MD for ANY REASON. No collaboration agreement, no supervision, nothing. Where are these states because thats where i want to move

MOVE TO NEW MEXICO!

Sorry, but you are wrong.

Psychologists do not have prescribing priv., the med order has to come from the psychiatrist, or they can make a recommendation to the PMD, but they cannot write the Rx.

Pharmacists do not write prescriptions, they can take a verbal order. But they cannot prescribe medication that needs a prescription.

Physical Therapists can not write a medication prescription, they can order devices for patient, or order treatments, but they cannot order medications.

Chiropractors in most states do not have prescriptive authority, and if they do, it is severely restricted.

PSYCHOLOGISTS IN NEW MEXICO HAVE PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY! I don't know about the other specialties mentioned...

In Missouri the PA's are in danger, and the CNM can't fully practice any longer. Even the CRNA in limited.

What I find to be bigeat shame of all is that nurses give their power to these doctors.

Missouri is one of the worst, and this year I thought it might turn for the better, but not only did the CS law not pass, but 2 laws passed that further restricts NPs in Missouri. What a joke!!!

Too bad I had to leave my home state. I find it much better in KS. I hope all NPs leave Missouri. I say if they want it all to themselves, fine, let them have it. There's not enough docs to go around and then they'll be kicking themselves in the a$$. PCP docs will see their work load explode and specialists will see their profit margins plummet as they don't have a NP to keep the clinic moving while they are in surgery anymore. All this for a brainless turf war. Amazing...

Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.
OK, are you saying that I can move to New Mexico as an NP, open and run my own clinic, and that I DONT have to have a collaboration agreement with a doctor? I dont have to consult with him, I dont have to have him review charts even once?

These are the places i'm looking for. 100% independence. NO collaboration agreement, all sched 2 drugs, zero consultation with MD, zero chart review zero cosignatures.

Yes Yes Yes :nuke: :nuke: That is exactly what I am saying. I have a FNP friend that just bought her own building, & has her own independent practice. New Mexico is one of the Best Places to open your own clinic, no need to have MD collaborate or review charts with full prescriptive, The local hospitals also grant you admiting privildges:nuke: :nuke: .

PM me & we can discuss more. Sorry I just got a link to this thread 4 just 4 months late!!

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 am not an APN in Illinois but one of my best friends is and her husband is a doctor. She told me that Illinois is not desirable to APNs because the AMA (American Medical Assoc. ) is located in CHicago and has a strong hold on trying to limit the use of APNs. Her husband is very supportive of her degree and career choice and they are likely not going to stay in Illinois because of her limitations in Illinois. They are considering moving to Colorado.

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