Whether you’re a nurse practitioner seeking a new opportunity or a healthcare leader aiming to fortify your team with NPs, the outlook headed into 2022 is bright. Both supply and demand for NPs continue to expand.
Demand for nurse practitioners is driven by their scope of practice, versatility, expertise, autonomy, quality, cost-effectiveness and much more. As for supply, increasing numbers of NPs graduate each year, keeping the workforce strong enough to meet the growing demand. Here’s a look at current data for nurse practitioner jobs followed by projections and career outlook for 2022.
Current Nurse Practitioner Data
How Many Nurse Practitioners Are Currently Licensed in the U.S.?
More than 325,000 NPs are licensed to practice in the U.S. as of 2021, up from 290,000 in 2019 (American Association of Nurse Practitioners). Further, more than 36,000 new NPs completed their programs in 2020 (AANP). The majority are certified in primary care, and NPs now have prescriptive privileges in all states. This means NPs are particularly valuable across the spectrum of healthcare and are in demand in all types of facilities.
Where Are NPs Currently Practicing?
Top work environments for nurse practitioners are physicians’ offices (101,220), hospitals (49,920), outpatient care centers (18,920), colleges and universities (6,970) and other health practitioners’ offices (6,170) according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Which States Have the Most Nurse Practitioners Employed and How Much Do They Earn?
According to the most recent BLS data, as of May 2020, states with the highest employment level of nurse practitioners were California (15,100), New York (14,850), Texas (14,680), Florida (13,010) and Ohio (9,430). In those states, the annual mean wage ranged from $145,970 in California to $101,060 in Florida.
2022 Outlook for Nurse Practitioners
What Is the Projected Job Growth for Nurse Practitioners Over the Next Decade?
The BLS has predicted jobs for nurse practitioners will grow by 52% from 2020-2030, from 220,300 jobs to 335,2000 jobs. The growing demand is attributed to increased need for healthcare for aging Americans and a greater emphasis on primary and preventive care. Further, as regulations evolve and states allow NPs greater autonomy of practice, nurse practitioners add increasing value and expanded access to care.
What Are the Short-Term Projections for Nurse Practitioners in Top States?
The Projections Central State Employment Projections Managing Partnership (PMP) compiles information from individual state entities for the U.S. Department of Labor. According to PMP data, over the short term (2020-2022), states with the most NPs employed are expected to be New York (17,090), California (16,100), Texas (15,540), Florida (15,130) and Ohio (9,810).
What Are the Long-Term Projections for Nurse Practitioners Across Top States?
As for the long term (2018-2028), state-aggregated data from PMP suggest states with the most NP positions will be New York (21,870), California (19,700), Texas (16,430), Florida (15,200) and Illinois (10,700).
For nurse practitioners and the healthcare facilities seeking them, the future is promising. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the field continues to grow. After all, there’s a reason the career was ranked #2 in Best Health Care Jobs and #3 for 100 Best Jobs (U.S. News).
If you’re a nurse practitioner, and you’re ready to embark on your next career adventure, explore our exciting opportunities for NPs.
If you’re in need of locum tenens nurse practitioners to strengthen your care team, connect with one of our staffing experts today.
