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 Pain Management.
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...

Thanks for the heads-up, although I was kinda hoping it was the other way between KS and MO since KS doesn't license acupuncturists unless they are a MD/DO with NO TRAINING, but MO has had a descent scope for some time.

Is there any website to get updates on the legistlative initiatives for MO NPs?

I would have to say that I disagree with manna. I don't know specifically what you are referring to in regards to Mississippi, but it is not a bad place to work as an NP.

I used to work there and know many NP's. Mississippi has very strong lobbying for NP's and they get paid ok considering the region of the country that it is in. Now I can't argue with what one physician says or doesn't say but I can assure you that not all physicians feel that way.

Perhaps this MD does not like NP's - I'm ok with that, however MD's usually don't like NP's for one of two reasons.

1. They are an older physician and think that everyone that can diagnosis and treat should go through the same education that they had to go through.

or

2. They are a younger breed of physicans perhaps insecure and see NP's as a threat to them and their job.

Of course this is just my 2 cents worth- I do think this is a good topic to talk about b/c it allows people to make better judgements about where they are going to move, live, and practice.

Kevin

All MD's in MS are not threatened by NP's as this sounds. I am currently in the NP program at MUW and I have had a good relationship with those I have worked with in clinical! The NP's I know are working fairly autonomously with an MD available for collaboration. NP's in MS have prescriptive rights and can obtain a DEA for authority to write anything their patients may need. Evidence-based practice serves as the guide for safe, sound practice! :twocents:

I totally agree with you- Sure you will have MDS that may or may not like NPs - SO WHAT - By the way I am originally from MS and MUW is awesome- I know an NP who went there. Good Luck to you - I am in the NP program at UCI (University of Cal. @ Irine)

I'm not the first person to ask this but only one person seems to be offering more detail about why Illinois is such a terrbiel place to be an NP. Several people have mentioned it's among the worst, but only one person has offered her 2 cents (thanks, mamanaynay!). Any body else want to comment? IL is also not ranked well on one of the websites that offers a measure of job conditions for NPs.

Specializes in CVICU, PACU, OR.

Any thoughts about Indiana?

advice for a student nurse; survival;management; anything HELP

advice for a student nurse; survival;management; anything HELP

Hmmm, I'm wondering about my state, The People's Republic of Massachusetts. It's pretty progressive about most things, but I don't know about NP status. I once saw a book in the library that listed the details of NP regulations in each state, but was so old, it was worthless. Things are changing all the time.

I wonder if anybody knows where to access this kind of information. It really is frustrating that each state is different. There is probably no clearing house for all this info, but one would think our rich federal government could produce such a thing.

Diahni

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Hmmm, I'm wondering about my state, The People's Republic of Massachusetts. It's pretty progressive about most things, but I don't know about NP status. I once saw a book in the library that listed the details of NP regulations in each state, but was so old, it was worthless. Things are changing all the time.

I wonder if anybody knows where to access this kind of information. It really is frustrating that each state is different. There is probably no clearing house for all this info, but one would think our rich federal government could produce such a thing.

Diahni

Hello, Diahni,

If you will look back through the thread, there are links that will outlines what each state's SOP are.

Yay Massachusetts! I think in general things are pretty good here, though they may be better in states with less of an MD presence. Sort of related, I was looking for an NP for my mom outside Chicago and found essentially none. So, my questions to piggy-back on Diahni:

a) what is the best site for finding an NP, if you are a patient?

b) does the number of NPs practicing in a particular area serve as a good marker of how NPs are treated there? I found loads on NPs in the Boston area, but just a handful in Chicagoland.

Thoughts?

Specializes in Pain Management, RN experience was in ER.

I've hear Arizona is one of the best as far as southern states. You can legally open a clinic there without an MD whereas in Texas you have to pay a MD to be at the clinic 20% of the time.

What about Maryland?

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I'm hoping California is good because I'm starting a masters entry NP program and plan to survive in the ridiculously costly Bay Area.

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