Category: Advanced Practice

Are Physician Assistant Jobs Jeopardized by Supervision Rules?

If two years of the COVID pandemic have taught us anything, it is that the U.S. healthcare system is anything but perfect. At the pandemic’s height, many states went so far as to temporarily relax rules regarding how and where physician assistants and nurse practitioners can work. Now, with the pandemic mostly behind us, it is time to answer an important question: are physician assistant jobs jeopardized by supervision rules?

 The question was central to the debate of a bill that was recently defeated in Colorado. House Bill 1095 would have given physician assistants a bit more freedom to practice independent of direct physician supervision. In the end, the bill was defeated after heavy lobbying by medical groups and others opposed to the changes.

Access to Quality Care

 Among its provisions, House Bill 1095 would have allowed physician assistants to work independently, but still require them to consult with a patient’s healthcare team, as they already do. Those opposed to the measure argued that freeing PAs from direct physician supervision would limit access to quality care. Some argued it could even be dangerous. The argument appears sound, but there are two sides to every coin.

 Proponents of the bill argued that PAs routinely live under the shadow of potential unemployment because their work is intrinsically tied to a physician’s job. In rural areas for example, there may be a single physician assistant working under the supervision of a single doctor. If that doctor decides to leave and go elsewhere, not having another doctor to immediately step in could mean the physician assistant loses their job. Likewise, patients served by that PA would lose access to healthcare services.

 Is either situation better or worse than the other? That is for politicians to figure out. In Colorado, they decided it is better to maintain the status quo. For the time being, PA jobs in the state will continue being subjected to physician supervision.

Other States Are Loosening Up

 If you are in favor of less supervision for physician assistants, you will be happy to know that other states are loosening their restrictions. A bill passed in Utah in 2021 eliminates the direct supervision requirement after a PA works for so many hours under a doctor.

 For example, a PA would work directly under a supervising doctor for 4,000 hours. After that, another 6,000 hours of supervision would be required – either under a doctor or another PA with 10,000 hours of experience. Completing both regimens would give a PA 10,000 hours of supervised work, leading to the right to practice independently.

Scope of Practice Remains the Same

 Whether you are talking Colorado’s defeated bill, Utah’s passed bill, or rules in any of the other states, the bigger issue is scope and practice. A PA’s scope and practice is clearly defined by state law. Proponents of the unsupervised work model say that PAs are not looking to broaden it. They are happy to continue doing what they do. They simply want to be able to do it without being tethered to a physician whose interests may or may not be aligned with the PA’s.

 What we are really talking here is primary care. That is what PAs provide in most settings. They handle routine cases so that doctors can focus on more serious cases. As a patient, this makes sense to me. If a physician assistant is trained and licensed to provide primary care, direct supervision by a doctor seems redundant.

 Are physician assistant jobs jeopardized by supervision rules? Proponents of Colorado’s recently defeated bill seem to think so. They make a good point.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Facts About a Career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Working as a registered nurse is an incredibly rewarding and challenging career. While the term “nurse” may be considered all encompassing for non medical professionals, any RN knows there are a wide range of specialties for a nurse to choose from. Some of these specialties are well known whereas others, such as a certified registered nurse anesthetist, aren’t as common.

Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) play a vital role in a patient’s anesthesia care. It’s a specialty that not as many people have heard of, yet remains important to the medical procedures that involve the administration of anesthesia.

Whether you’re looking to change your current specialty or you’re still in school and trying to decide on one, becoming a CRNA is a great option. As a lesser known specialty, though, you may not be as readily familiar with the work involved or the basic facts about CRNAs, so here’s a quick guide with facts about working as a CRNA.

What is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist?

CRNAs are nurses with a master’s degree, though sometimes even a doctorate, that provide anesthesia for any medical procedure. In a number of states, CRNAs work independently as the only anesthetist without a need for supervision. CRNAs do still collaborate and work with surgeons and other medical professionals, but there is no longer a requirement for direct supervision.

The training required to become a CRNA is more challenging and demanding than some other specialities and often puts CRNAs on a similar level as physicians.

In the past few decades, there have been updates to the regulations surrounding CRNA work. One such update in 1968 permits CRNAs to receive 100% direct reimbursement from Medicare. This was updated again in 2020 to prohibit discrimination based on licensure as well, so CRNAs are no less qualified for the reimbursement than anesthesiologists or other physicians.

What Do CRNAs Do?

CRNAs don’t only administer anesthesia. They do a number of things. Depending on where you work and the way your employer runs the workplace, the tasks a CRNA is expected to fulfill will vary.

Some non-anesthesia related tasks that CRNAs may perform include conducting physical assessments of a patient and looking into their medical history, creating and implementing a relevant patient anesthetic care plan, and discussing the side effects of such care with a patient and their family.

CRNAs work with a patient and their family just like any other nurse. As a CRNA, you’ll explain a procedure to a patient and/or their family prior to the operation. Once the operation is finished, you may also be responsible for providing them with the necessary information and protocol for after anesthesia care.

When it comes to anesthesia, CRNAs will administer various types of anesthesia, monitor the patient’s status and vitals, maintain the anesthesia throughout the procedure, administer additional fluids and medications, and perform epidural, spinal, or nerve blocks at any given time.

As a CRNA, you’ll work closely with surgeons and physicians to ensure that a patient is receiving optimal care.

CRNA Demographics

Many recent research studies have brought to life the changing demographics of the CRNA workforce. Zippia conducted one such research project that provides information on everything from the average age to sexuality to where CRNAs are most in demand. Here’s a quick run through of what Zippia covers:

Zippia CRNA Demographics Summary

As of 2021 within the United States, there are a little over 40,000 CRNAs that are currently working at a medical facility. From this number, Zippia reports just under 60% of CRNAs are female while 38% are male. 2.3% chose not to self identify as either male or female.

Most CRNAs are located on the east coast with the largest majority in Pittsburgh, PA and Raleigh, NC despite New York, NY having the highest demand for CRNAs. When it comes to the best state for CRNAs to live and work in, however, North Dakota came in first. Grand Forks, ND has the highest average salary, coming in at over $118,000 annually despite its relatively small size.

As with every career field, there is a gender pay gap for CRNAs. While men earn on average $116,000, women earn roughly 94% of this at $109,000. There were also wage gaps found depending on race with white CRNAs earning the most followed by black or African American CRNAs, hispanic and latino CRNAs, and Asian CRNAs earning the lowest.

Most CRNAs work in private practices, though a large number of them work in education or government facilities as well. Only 6% worked in public medical centers.

Just under 20% of CRNAs identified as LGBT which is considerably higher than other medical positions that were compared. Roughly 8% of child’s nurses and 13% of anesthesiology residents identified as LGBT.

CRNA Salary

Salary and pay gaps have been mentioned briefly above, but many people wonder about the average salary of A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. As can be expected, there are many factors that influence the actual salary of a CRNA so there is no perfect estimate as to how much you’ll end up making.

What Affects CRNA Salary?

Although not a complete list, here are a few things that will affect your salary as a CRNA.

Experience

As you gain more experience, you’ll have more opportunities to increase your salary. When you’re first starting out, expect to make much less than your senior CRNA colleagues that have been working for years. Some starting positions may pay as much as $120,000 annually. After you gain experience, you can expect to earn a higher salary, often closer to $220,000.

Location

Where you choose to live and work will have an impact on your salary. Large cities such as New York, NY pay so high because CRNAs are in high demand. In areas that provide a lot of acute care or teaching facilities, you may also find higher paying opportunities.

This being said, as of 2020, the highest paying states are Oregon, Wisconsin, and Wyoming respectively. Despite not having cities as large as California or the New York-New Jersey area, these states tend to pay over $230,000 annually. Nevada, the fourth highest paying state, pays an average of $223,000 annually.

Type of Employer

CRNAs are important for all types of medical employers, from outpatient centers to hospitals to medical education centers. While every type of employer will have slightly different workloads and challenges, you’ll also find they offer different salaries.

Most CRNAs choose to work in private facilities where the salary tends to be higher. Outpatient care facilities are one of the highest paying centers with an average salary of $225,000. Public hospitals, on the other hand, pay an average of $196,000. Surprisingly, medical education centers pay slightly more with an average of $197,000.

Depending on the type of employer you choose to work for, you can expect a different salary. If you work independently, you’ll be paid differently than if you collaborate with other medical professionals.

Ways to Increase Your Salary as a CRNA

Once you’re working as a CRNA, you may find there are a few ways to increase your salary. Looking into career opportunities at higher paying facilities is always a good start, but if you want to be in a certain place, there are a few things you can do.

Earning extra certifications can improve your chances at earning a higher salary. Additionally, you can earn a bit extra with a doctorate. This is only the case for those who are already in a CRNA school or who have finished and are looking to increase their salary. If you are entering a CRNA school starting in 2022, a doctorate will be a requirement by 2025, meaning you will need one in order to start your career.

How to Become a CRNA

To become a CRNA, you’ll need to first earn your bachelors of science in nursing (BSN). Next, you need to pass your registered nurses exam and complete a masters degree. If you enter a CRNA school during or after 2022, you will also need to plan on completing a doctorate program. 

Before you can attend a CRNA school, you should take time to get experience as an RN. This is a common entry requirement for nurse anesthesia programs. Some schools may additionally require a certain amount of experience working in acute care. As entry requirements vary from school to school, be sure to carefully check with your prospective school before applying.

The schooling costs for CRNAs are high, usually around $220,000 not including extra certification fees and the costs for your doctorate. If you go to an out-of-state school, you may have to pay extra fees.

Even with a loan, this is a lot of money which is why there are so few nurses that choose to go this route. With a salary of nearly $200,000+ in most states, many people consider it worthwhile. It’s up to you to make that decision on your own, though, as it is quite the commitment.

Best Traits in a CRNA

There are certain traits that make for a good CRNA just like there are certain traits that make for a good teacher or a good web designer. While you don’t need all of these traits in order to work as a CRNA or even be good at it, they will certainly help your in your work. You may even find that after a few years of experience, you develop these traits.

For some people, it’s easier to earn and grow your hard skills than it is to improve your soft skills, but every CRNA will need to demonstrate certain soft skills. Fortunately, you’ll have the opportunity to work on such skills during your schooling.

If you’re looking at improving your soft skills ahead of time or you simply want to know if you have the personality traits of a good CRNA, here are the best traits for a CRNA to have.

Attention to Details

Administering anesthesia is a very precise job and even the slightest miscalculation can cause complications during a procedure. Careful attention to detail will help a lot with your work.

Quick Thinking

As you probably already know, there is no such thing as a standard procedure. Every patient will present unique challenges which means that you need to be able to react quickly to anything no matter how unexpected it is.

Sometimes patients lie about their habits and when it comes to anesthesia, this can lead to sudden and catastrophic changes. To prevent a situation from escalating from bad to worse, you’ll need to be able to think on your feet and react quickly. Never assume that any procedure will be easy and without surprises.

Initiative

No matter where you work or what career you end up in, being able and ready to take initiative is a way to stand out from others. As a CRNA, being able to complete your work without someone guiding you or telling your what to do step by step is important. 

Team Player

Even though CRNAs aren’t supervised in many states, you’ll still need to be able to work with others and be a good team player. While you may not be the surgeon, you’ll still be working with them. The best CRNAs are eager to collaborate with colleagues and work with their coworkers no matter what the situation calls for. 

Communication

As with every career, CRNAs should be able to communicate with their team during any procedure. In the medical field, miscommunication can lead to major consequences so for the sake of your patient, it’s important that you are able to communicate clearly and professionally with your colleagues. 

Final Notes

Becoming a CRNA is a lot of work and requires a lot of schooling, but it’s a very rewarding career path that pays well and is in high demand. You can find job opportunities almost wherever you look and can expect competitive pay and benefits. If you’re interested in a career as a CRNA, the best place to start is with a BSN and the best time to start is now.

 

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Where NP, PA, & CRNA Salaries Are Highest & Lowest

Advanced practice roles are typically known to be well-paying, but where are NPs, PAs, and CRNAs making the most? The least? Find out here.

Advanced practice roles are typically known to be well-paying, often ranking high on lists of “Best Paying Jobs” both within and outside of healthcare.

This should not be surprising, considering nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified registered nurse anesthetists are highly-skilled, in-demand healthcare workers. However, where they are paid the highest and the lowest salaries may surprise you.

Below are the 10 states where NPs, PAs, and CRNAs make the most and the least, on average, according to 2020 salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Nurse Practitioners – Highest Paying States

  1. California – $145,970
  2. New Jersey – $130,890
  3. Washington – $126,480
  4. New York – $126,440
  5. Massachusetts – $126,050
  6. Nevada – $119,890
  7. Minnesota – $118,900
  8. Wyoming – $118,810
  9. Hawaii – $118,780
  10. Oregon – $118,600

Nurse Practitioners – Lowest Paying States

  1. Tennessee – $99,370
  2. Alabama – $99,790
  3. Florida – $101,060
  4. South Carolina – $101,190
  5. Kentucky – $102,460
  6. South Dakota – $103,080
  7. Kansas – $104,530
  8. West Virginia – $105,220
  9. Ohio – $105,630
  10. Arkansas – $106,210

Physician Assistants – Highest Paying States

  1. Alaska – $150,430
  2. Connecticut – $146,110
  3. Rhode Island – $135,800
  4. California – $135,180
  5. Nevada – $134,710
  6. New Jersey – $131,210
  7. Washington – $129,910
  8. Vermont – $128,050
  9. New York – $126,370
  10. New Hampshire – $124,080

Physician Assistants – Lowest Paying States

  1. Kentucky – $79,390
  2. Mississippi – $85,380
  3. Alabama – $88,500
  4. Louisiana – $93,770
  5. Missouri – $94,020
  6. Tennessee – $101,640
  7. Arkansas – $101,740
  8. Indiana – $102,030
  9. South Carolina – $103,150
  10. Georgia – $104,230

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists – Highest Paying States

  1. Oregon – $236,540
  2. Wisconsin – $231,520
  3. Wyoming – $231,250
  4. Nevada – $223,680
  5. Connecticut – $217,360
  6. New York – $217,050
  7. Montana – $216,420
  8. Minnesota – $216,050
  9. New Jersey – $207,500
  10. California – $205,360

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists – Lowest Paying States

  1. Utah – $127,130
  2. Idaho – $156,250
  3. Louisiana – $161,310
  4. Kentucky – $163,700
  5. New Mexico – $164,980
  6. Arkansas – $167,030
  7. Kansas – $167,700
  8. Indiana – $169,620
  9. Alabama – $170,560
  10. Tennessee – $171,020

Ready to start your search for a higher paying advanced practice job? Click here.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

PAs Are Rebranding & Guess Who’s Opposed to It

The AAPA House of Delegates recently voted to change the name of the PA profession to “physician associate”, however, not everyone is thrilled by the new name.

On May 24th, the AAPA House of Delegates voted to adopt the name “physician associate” as the official title for the PA profession, an effort several years in the making.

This is, undoubtedly, a victory for the profession, which, for years, has sought a way to step out from behind the physician’s shadow. Assistant no more—and certainly not the oft-used misnomer of “physician’s assistant.” They are now associates. Or, they will be soon, anyway.

While the resolution has passed, it will still be several years (and about $21.6 million worth of spend) before the term is put to use by the professionals themselves, or otherwise, with legislative and regulatory changes needing to first be made to incorporate the new title.

However, not everyone is celebrating the change.

Physician organizations and associations are, almost predictably, not supportive of the rebrand.

“AAPA’s effort to change the title of physician assistants to rebrand their profession will undoubtedly confuse patients and is clearly an attempt to advance their pursuit toward independent practice,” Susan R. Bailey, MD, President of the American Medical Association, said in a June 2nd statement. “Given the existing difficulty many patients experience in identifying who is or is not a physician, it is important to provide patients with more transparency and clarity in who is providing their care, not more confusion.”

The AMA statement also suggested the title change may not be legal, implying it goes against truth in advertising laws.

Other physician groups echoed the AMA statement’s sentiments, with the American Osteopathic Association saying in their own statement that their association, “calls for truth in advertising, intellectual honesty, and transparency with the use of professional designations of non-physician clinicians in service of the public interest.”

The AOA statement went on to say, “[W]e recognize the struggle of achieving professional parity (i.e. scope of practice, prescribing and compensation) between APRNs and PAs. However, efforts to seek parity among non-physician clinicians must not be at the expense of the truth in advertising and clarity of roles in our healthcare system.”

The AAPA responded to the criticisms via a letter sent to several national medical organizations and published to their website on June 4th, which read, in part, “We respect our relationship with your organization and the healthcare team members you represent, and we believe that our common interest — to best serve the needs of patients — unites us and presents collaborative opportunities to strengthen the fabric of America’s healthcare system.”

The AAPA letter concludes with, “While our title has changed, our mission has not — to transform health through patient-centered, team-based medical practice. We look forward to our continued work together.”

How do you feel about the name change and/or the opposition to it? Tell us in the comments below.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

These Are the Best Healthcare Jobs in America

Healthcare professionals have received a lot of praise over the last year, often being lauded as heroes. But which healthcare jobs ranked as the best?

Those who work in healthcare have always known how essential their jobs are. The rest of the world learned this in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold and forever changed the way the healthcare profession will be viewed by the general public. Physicians and Registered Nurses, in particular, were heaped with praise, becoming the heroes of our nation and the world.

But which healthcare jobs are best? Not the most celebrated or well-recognized, but the best—best for salary, work-life balance, stress level, the job market, and future growth. U.S. News & World Report released their annual rankings based on these very metrics. The 20 best healthcare jobs according to their findings are listed below.

1. Physician Assistant

Overall Score: 8.3 out of 10
Score Breakdown: Salary 8.4/10, Job Market 10/10, Future Growth 8/10, Stress 4/10, Work Life Balance 8/10
Median Salary: $112,260
Other Rankings: #1 in 100 Best Jobs, #1 in Best STEM Jobs
Search Physician Assistant Jobs →

2. Nurse Practitioner

Overall Score: 8.2 out of 10
Score Breakdown: Salary 8.3/10, Job Market 8/10, Future Growth 10/10, Stress 4/10, Work Life Balance 4/10
Median Salary: $109,820
Other Rankings: #3 in 100 Best Jobs, #3 in Best STEM Jobs
Search Nurse Practitioner Jobs →

3. Physician

Overall Score: 7.8 out of 10
Score Breakdown: Salary 10/10, Job Market 10/10, Future Growth 9/10, Stress 2/10, Work Life Balance 6/10
Median Salary: $206,500
Other Rankings: #5 in 100 Best Jobs, #8 in Best Paying Jobs
Search Physician Jobs →

4. Speech-Language Pathologist

Overall Score: 7.5 out of 10
Score Breakdown: Salary 7/10, Job Market 10/10, Future Growth 8/10, Stress 4/10, Work Life Balance 6/10
Median Salary: $79,120
Other Rankings: #7 in 100 Best Jobs
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5. Dentist

Overall Score: 7.5 out of 10
Score Breakdown: Salary 9.9/10, Job Market 10/10, Future Growth 6/10, Stress 6/10, Work Life Balance 8/10
Median Salary: $155,600
Other Rankings: #7 in Best STEM Jobs, #9 in 100 Best Jobs, #11 in Best Paying Jobs
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6. Veterinarian

Overall Score: 7.4 out of 10
Score Breakdown: Salary 7.7/10, Job Market 10/10, Future Growth 9/10, Stress 4/10, Work Life Balance 4/10
Median Salary: $95,460
Other Rankings: #10 in 100 Best Jobs
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7. Orthodontist

Overall Score: 7.4 out of 10
Score Breakdown: Salary 10/10, Job Market 10/10, Future Growth 4/10, Stress 8/10, Work Life Balance 8/10
Median Salary: $208,000
Other Rankings: #5 in Best Paying Jobs, #8 in Best STEM Jobs, #11 in 100 Best Jobs
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8. Anesthesiologist

Overall Score: 7.2 out of 10
Score Breakdown: Salary 10/10, Job Market 10/10, Future Growth 8/10, Stress 2/10, Work Life Balance 2/10
Median Salary: $208,000
Other Rankings: #1 in Best Paying Jobs, #14 in 100 Best Jobs
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9. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Overall Score: 7.0 out of 10
Score Breakdown: Salary 10/10, Job Market 10/10, Future Growth 4/10, Stress 4/10, Work Life Balance 4/10
Median Salary: $208,000
Other Rankings: #3 in Best Paying Jobs, #18 in 100 Best Jobs
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10. Occupational Therapist

Overall Score: 7.0 out of 10
Score Breakdown: Salary 7.3/10, Job Market 8/10, Future Growth 8/10, Stress 6/10, Work Life Balance 6/10
Median Salary: $84,950
Other Rankings: #19 in 100 Best Jobs
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11. Physical Therapist

Overall Score: 6.9 out of 10
Score Breakdown: Salary 7.5/10, Job Market 8/10, Future Growth 8/10, Stress 4/10, Work Life Balance 6/10
Median Salary: $89,440
Other Rankings: #21 in 100 Best Jobs
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12. Psychiatrist

Overall Score: 6.8 out of 10
Score Breakdown: Salary 10/10, Job Market 6/10, Future Growth 6/10, Stress 4/10, Work Life Balance 6/10
Median Salary: $208,000
Other Rankings: #7 in Best Paying Jobs, #27 in 100 Best Jobs
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13. Prosthodontist

Overall Score: 6.7 out of 10
Score Breakdown: Salary 10/10, Job Market 10/10, Future Growth 4/10, Stress 4/10, Work Life Balance 4/10
Median Salary: $208,000
Other Rankings: #6 in Best Paying Jobs, #35 in 100 Best Jobs
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14. Registered Nurse

Overall Score: 6.6 out of 10
Score Breakdown: Salary 6.8/10, Job Market 8/10, Future Growth 4/10, Stress 4/10, Work Life Balance 6/10
Median Salary: $73,300
Other Rankings: #37 in 100 Best Jobs
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15. Nurse Anesthetist

Overall Score: 6.6 out of 10
Score Breakdown: Salary 10/10, Future Growth 4/10, Stress 4/10, Work Life Balance 4/10
Median Salary: $174,790
Other Rankings: #10 in Best Paying Jobs, #14 in Best STEM Jobs, #39 in 100 Best Jobs
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16. Obstetrician and Gynecologist — Tie

Overall Score: 6.6 out of 10
Score Breakdown: Salary 10/10, Job Market 10/10, Future Growth 6/10, Stress 4/10, Work Life Balance 4/10
Median Salary: $208,000
Other Rankings: #4 in Best Paying Jobs, #42 in 100 Best Jobs
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16. Surgeon — Tie

Overall Score: 6.6 out of 10
Score Breakdown: Salary 10/10, Job Market 10/10, Future Growth 8/10, Stress 2/10, Work Life Balance 2/10
Median Salary: $208,000
Other Rankings: #2 in Best Paying Jobs, #42 in 100 Best Jobs
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18. Chiropractor

Overall Score: 6.6 out of 10
Score Breakdown: Salary 6.6/10, Job Market 10/10, Future Growth 8/10, Stress 4/10, Work Life Balance 8/10
Median Salary: $70,340
Other Rankings: #44 in 100 Best Jobs
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19. Podiatrist

Overall Score: 6.6 out of 10
Score Breakdown: Salary 8.9/10, Future Growth 8/10, Stress 6/10, Work Life Balance 6/10
Median Salary: $126,240
Other Rankings: #18 in Best Paying Jobs, #46 in 100 Best Jobs
Search Podiatrist Jobs →

20. Optometrist

Overall Score: 6.6 out of 10
Score Breakdown: Salary 8.5/10, Future Growth 8/10, Stress 6/10, Work Life Balance 8/10
Median Salary: $115,250
Other Rankings: #22 in Best Paying Jobs, #48 in 100 Best Jobs
Search Optometrist Jobs →

How do you feel about the rankings? Does your job seem like it’s the “best”? The worst? Tell us in the comments below.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

This Advanced Practice Job Is the “Best Job” in America

Despite times being incredibly taxing for those working in healthcare, somehow, this advanced practice role still came out on top. See what it is here.

Physician Assistants, you’re the best—quite literally. You have the #1 Best Job in America, according to the new rankings released by U.S. News & World Report.

Despite times being incredibly taxing for those working in healthcare, given the unprecedented global pandemic healthcare professionals have had to grapple with on a daily basis, somehow, you still came out on top.

Jobs were awarded an overall score, which was based on a methodology that included measuring salary, the job market, future growth, stress, and work-life balance. Physician Assistants earned a perfect 10 out of 10 points for the job market portion, and future growth looks promising, with an 8 out of 10 score being recorded. When you add in a salary score of 8.4 out of 10, a stress score of 4 out of 10, and a work-life balance score of 8 out of 10, it’s easy to see why the position ranked so high. All in all, Physician Assistants scored a whopping 8.3 out of a possible 10 points, overall, earning them the top spot.

The position, which also topped the lists for Best Health Care Jobs and Best STEM Jobs, ranked higher than not only their fellow advanced practitioners—Nurse Practitioners (#3) and Nurse Anesthetists (#39)—it also outranked Physicians (#5) and Registered Nurses (#37), two professions that have received the bulk of the general public’s praise and admiration over the last year.

How do you feel about the rankings? Does your job seem like it’s the “best”? Tell us in the comments below.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

How to Get Your Résumé Ready for the New Year

If your New Year’s Resolution includes finding a new job, here are the three most important things you can do to get your résumé ready for your 2021 job search.

If your New Year’s Resolution includes finding a new job—a resolution that landed on a list of the most popular resolutions for 2021—now is the time to get your résumé in prime shape. While hiring was obviously impacted in many ways over the course of 2020, traditionally, hiring ramps big time once the calendar rolls over into January. If you are seeking a change for the year ahead, here are the three most important things you can do to get your résumé ready for your 2021 job search.

New Year, New Look

The New Year, for many, is often time for a bold change, and your résumé should be no exception. Start out by updating the look and feel of your résumé. Your goal should be to have a résumé that is easy to follow and one that instantly reflects who you are and what you can do. Some quick tips for giving your résumé a makeover include:

  • Start with an easy-to-follow, modern template that has clearly defined sections of information. Some great examples of résumés like these can be found here, here, and here.
  • Identify and use a tagline for yourself. You aren’t just a nurse or a doctor. “NICU RN-BSN, BLS and ACLS Certified” or “Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician” tucked beneath your name at the top of your résumé affords the reader insight into your qualifications before they even really begin to dig into your document.
  • Update your contact information to current standards. Listing your mailing address is less important these days than linking to your online social profiles. Include, at a minimum, a URL for your LinkedIn account, and any other professionally acceptable social accounts you may hold. Also, be sure to include your email address, but only if it’s one that can be taken seriously, and not something like GlitterSparkleButterfly@whatever.com.
  • Throw out the old objective section in favor of a short, professional summary, and stock it with your most impressive qualifications and accomplishments, which you should then expand upon in your experience and education sections.

Take Stock of 2020

Now that your résumé has a new look for the new year, the content will need updating, as well. With 2020 firmly in the rearview, take time to reflect on all that happened over the course of the year. What did you accomplish? What new skills did you learn? Did you gain any new certifications or degrees? Did you receive any special recognition? Did you take on any new responsibilities?

Also, and probably most importantly, take the time to reflect on what you truly want out of 2021 and beyond. If 2020 taught us anything, it is that time is precious. You should spend your time doing what you love, and your résumé should position you to find a job that fits into that—not just a job that you fit into.

Look back on where the previous year has taken you, and then update the appropriate sections of your résumé to reflect any worthwhile highlights. You will also want to trim the fat, so to speak, from previous years, if there is anything listed that is no longer relevant or has become less impressive over time.

Lastly, take note of keywords that are frequently used in the job postings you have been browsing and make sure you include as many of them as possible in the text of your résumé. Doing so will increase your odds of being labeled as a match for the jobs to which you plan to apply.

Get Online

If you are like the bulk of the population, you will likely be applying to jobs online in 2021, be it on our site or elsewhere, making the online version of your résumé just as important as the paper copy you will bring with you when you go in to interview for said jobs. Make sure you upload your updated résumé to our site and any others you may be using to browse for jobs, and also take the time to revamp your LinkedIn profile to match your reworked résumé, and update any other social accounts you plan to disclose to potential employers (or lock down the ones you don’t plan to share via privacy preferences).

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Our 5 Most Popular Articles of 2020

In case you missed any of these worthwhile reads the first time around, we’ve compiled a list of our most popular articles of 2020. Read them here.

With the arrival of 2021, we thought it might be a good time to take a look back at our most popular articles from the year that was 2020. Given they all garnered a lot of traffic over the year, there is a chance you might have seen some of these articles before. However, in case you missed any of these very worthwhile posts the first time around, we have put together the list below.

Please note that we are aware these are not all uplifting reads, but a lot of them are certainly important ones, highlighting the long and trying year 2020 was for many. To shy away from how hard this past year was for you, your loved ones, your patients, and the world as a whole would be doing you a disservice. We thank you immensely for your dedication to your profession and to the lives of your patients this year, and we are fervently wishing you much health, happiness, and healing in 2021.

Without further ado, here are our top five most popular articles from 2020.

1. Freebies, Discounts, & Perks for Healthcare’s Heroes


To recognize the heroic efforts of frontline medical staff, companies are offering promotions as a way of giving back. Here’s a giant list of them.
Read More →

2. The Top 10 Pandemic-Proof Healthcare Jobs


Healthcare is often touted as a recession-proof industry. But is it pandemic-proof? Given the number of available jobs, it seems so. See the most in-demand position types here.
Read More →

3. 10 Healthcare Roles Top Riskiest List


In what may come as a surprise to very few, the top ten riskiest jobs in terms of possible COVID-19 exposure are patient-facing roles in healthcare.
Read More →

4. How to Cope When You Hate Your Job


Working in healthcare is just plain hard. So, how do you cope if and when your passion for it seems gone? Here are some things to try.
Read More →

5. Mental Health of Healthcare Workers Has Tanked Amid Pandemic


The COVID-19 pandemic is clearly taking a toll on the mental health of our nation’s healthcare workers, according to the findings of our recent survey.
Read More →

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

15 Holiday Wish List Must-Haves for Advanced Practitioners

No matter what you find yourself celebrating this December, here are 15 things advanced practitioners should add to their holiday wish lists.

Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, Solstice, or just the end of 2020—no matter what you find yourself celebrating this December, here are 15 things advanced practitioners should add to their holiday wish lists. Or just snag for themselves, because everyone deserves a treat every now and then—especially this year. From ultra-practical antimicrobial scrubs to a fancy coffee maker to help fuel you when you are at your most exhausted, there is something for everyone on this list.

1. The Gift of Mental Wellness via a TalkSpace Gift Card, $79.00+

2. This Light Blocking Sleep Mask to Help You Recharge, Day or Night, $12.99

3. A UV Light Phone Sanitizer, Because Germs, $119.95

4. Some PPE (Because Can You Really Have Enough PPE?), $79.00

5. This Fancy Coffee Maker, $199.99

6. And an Insulated Cup to Keep Your Fancy Coffee Piping Hot, $34.99

7. Some Extra Cozy Antimicrobial Scrub Pants

Women’s, $32.98+

Men’s, $37.98+

9. A Trusty Stethoscope, $98.99+

10. This Insanely Useful Thing That Makes Cooking a Breeze, Even after Your Longest Day, $59.98+

11. Some Stress Relief In A Jar, $15.18

12. A Neck/Back/Shoulder/Everywhere Else That Hurts Deep Tissue Massager, $39.99

13. TLC for Your Hands after Washing Them Vigorously All Year Long, $14.99

14. An Efficient (But Effective) Gratitude Journal, $22.90

15. This Cute & Comfy T-shirt, $14.90+

Please note: HealthJobsNationwide.com receives no compensation for recommending these items and makes no warranties regarding their safety. Items listed above should be evaluated individually for potential risks and hazards.

3 States with the Most Demand for Advanced Practitioners

With healthcare hiring rebounding, where is the demand for NPs, PAs, and CRNAs the greatest? Here are the top three states for these advanced practitioners.

The healthcare workforce, like nearly every other industry, was greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, seeing staggering job losses as the virus, and the economic fallout associated with it, swept across the nation. However, advanced practitioners are essential in a way that most other professions are not at the moment, and hiring remains steady, with the healthcare industry adding back more than 250,000 jobs during July, August, and September.

Where is the demand for NPs, PAs, and CRNAs the greatest, though? We analyzed data from our jobs website to determine what states currently have the highest inventory of openings. Here are the top three states where NPs, PAs, and CRNAs are needed most.

States with the Most Demand for Nurse Practitioners

1. New York

Average Annual Nurse Practitioner Salary in New York: $122,550

Noteworthy Openings in New York:

Click Here to Search Nurse Practitioner Jobs in New York →

2. California

Average Annual Nurse Practitioner Salary in California: $138,660

Noteworthy Openings in California:

Click Here to Search Nurse Practitioner Jobs in California →

3. Connecticut

Average Annual Nurse Practitioner Salary in Connecticut: $115,140

Noteworthy Openings in Connecticut:

Click Here to Search Nurse Practitioner Jobs in Connecticut →

States with the Most Demand for Physician Assistants

1. Pennsylvania

Average Annual Physician Assistant Salary in Pennsylvania: $102,620

Noteworthy Openings in Pennsylvania:

Click Here to Search Physician Assistant Jobs in Pennsylvania →

2. Connecticut

Average Annual Physician Assistant Salary in Connecticut: $137,060

Noteworthy Openings in Connecticut:

Click Here to Search Physician Assistant Jobs in Connecticut →

3. New York

Average Annual Physician Assistant Salary in New York: $123,080

Noteworthy Openings in New York:

Click Here to Search Physician Assistant Jobs in New York →

States with the Most Demand for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists

1. Texas

Average Annual CRNA Salary in Texas: $167,020

Noteworthy Openings in Texas:

Click Here to Search CRNA Jobs in Texas →

2. Florida

Average Annual CRNA Salary in Florida: $160,030

Noteworthy Openings in Florida:

Click Here to Search CRNA Jobs in Florida →

3. Virginia

Average Annual CRNA Salary in Virginia: $180,120

Noteworthy Openings in Virginia:

Click Here to Search CRNA Jobs in Virginia →

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.