Nurse Practitioner Jobs

In the next decade there will be about 45,000 fewer primary care doctors than needed to offer primary care for the general population. The shortage is already evident; currently 55 million people live unmedically underserved areas. Despite stiff opposition from state medical organizations, nurse practitioner jobs are increasing.

This story is happening now and it is controversial. Scope of practice for nurse practitioners (NPs) is regulated at the state level. It varies widely. For example, Arizona doesn’t require any relationship between an NP and a doctor. Maryland requires a one-page statement of physician collaboration but does not require ongoing supervision. Arkansas requires a collaborative statement indicating detailed quality assurance levels and must be renewed every two years.

Other states fall somewhere in between and, fueled by the Affordable Care Act, the undeniable need for services is forcing some legislatures to ease regulations more quickly.

But another factor hindering scope of practice of nurse practitioners, again addressable only by state legislatures, is payer policies. It is a minefield. For example, in Arkansas, although certain procedures are not specifically prohibited, neither are they specifically allowed. Following historic Medicaid policies, non-doctors cannot be reimbursed for the procedures. Medical associations are lobbying hard against any change in policies across the country. Although Arkansas policies are especially convoluted, they are not that different from others.

In a long but readable blog post, a doctor takes some of his colleagues to task regarding the majority’s attitudes, and requests they consider the reality. The ideal is collaboration. Really. If a GP can take care of a heart problem that doesn’t make him a cardiologist, and so what? Everyone has something to contribute and the nurse practitioner fulfills a crucial role.

The takeaway here would seem to be that many things influence the choice of nurse practitioners jobs, not the least of which is location. Find a mentor like the good doctor or, contact us for information.