There’s not a town or city in the United States that can get by without registered nurses and nurse practitioners. They are invaluable parts of the healthcare system, and we all rely on their services at one point or another. However, the career outlook for nurse practitioners looks so different between states. 

Of course, some states are bigger than others and thus have higher patient populations. However, nurse practitioner job growth depends on many other factors. Follow along as we explore what drives growth in high-demand states for nurse practitioners. 

What Drives Growth in High-Demand Nursing States?

Everything from public health crises and population increases drives the growth of nurse practitioners. This is why the career outlook for nurse practitioners looks drastically different between states. Several factors determine why nurse practitioners are in higher demand in certain states, such as:

Public Health Crises

Naturally, nurses are invaluable during public health crises. Some areas get hit harder by public health crises, and nursing shortages ensue, causing many problems at healthcare facilities. In that case, hospitals and patients alike rely on all types of nurses, including nurse practitioners. 

Nurse practitioners are especially useful as they can diagnose conditions and prescribe medication. For example, many states called for nurses and nurse practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a nurse practitioner, you can help healthcare facilities manage the surge of patients, which sometimes involves relocation. 

This is especially true for nurse practitioners who hold Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licenses. APRN licenses let nurse practitioners work in compliant states, so they can relocate for personal reasons and during health crises. 

Healthcare Provider Shortages 

States can experience healthcare provider shortages for many reasons, and this can negatively impact the population. People rely on nurse practitioners and primary care physicians for reactive healthcare, preventative healthcare, and check-ups. Healthcare provider shortages can occur for many reasons, such as a population increase or a growing number of hospitals and clinics. 

As a nurse practitioner, you can benefit from keeping an eye on the numbers and seeing where you’re needed. Hospitals sometimes offer relocation assistance and signing bonuses, which can incentivize healthcare providers. You’re not obligated to relocate, but it may be worthwhile if finding work in your current state is difficult. 

Patient Increase

A patient base can increase for many reasons, such as population increases and a patient accessibility boost. For example, more people in a particular area may gain access to health insurance. In that case, hospitals and clinics will see a large increase in the number of patients they must treat. 

The patient population can also increase in states that embrace affordable walk-in clinics as well. As a nurse practitioner, this puts you in a great position. After all, nurse practitioners can do almost anything that primary care practitioners can do. 

Aging Population 

Due to population demographics, some states have older populations than others. Such states have a higher demand for Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners (AGPCNPs), who treat adult patients. AGPCNPs are essential in areas with a high population of adolescent and adult patients. 

Such areas often have several private practices that specialize in adult gerontology. AGPCNPs are also essential in areas with long-term care facilities for adult and elderly patients. Demographics always change, but states like Delaware, Oregon, and New Hampshire currently have more adults than pediatric patients. 

Top States Where Nurse Practitioners Are In Demand

Nurse practitioners are needed all over the United States, but the demand varies in many ways, like patient population density. It stands to reason that the states that need nurse practitioners the most also rank among the most highly populated states. The top states where nurse practitioners are in demand include:

California

Today, California holds over 39 million people, so it’s safe to say that it needs as many healthcare providers as possible. Aside from being the most populated state, California is also the highest-paying state for nurses. The high demand gives nurses and nurse practitioners plenty of leverage to secure high-paying jobs. 

Nurse practitioners make an average of just over $145,000 per year in California. The high pay, paired with the job security, makes California a great destination for nurse practitioners. 

New York

Nurses and nurse practitioners have always been in demand in New York. Naturally, New York City is the most densely populated part of the state, but New York has many other in-demand cities. The call for nurse practitioners in New York is projected to increase by just over 36% over the next several years. 

Six-figure salaries and lots of overtime go hand-in-hand with such a high population. There are over 1,600 nurse practitioner job openings in New York each year, so getting a job is relatively easy. 

Texas 

Texas ranks as the third-highest state for available nurse practitioner positions. Like California and New York, Texas is densely populated and boasts several major cities. Home to over 31 million people and over 500 hospitals, nurse practitioners are always needed in Texas. 

Nurse practitioners can expect over 1,000 job openings per year in Texas. That doesn’t mean the market isn’t competitive in cities like Houston and Dallas, but you’re not solely relegated to major cities. The nursing career outlook in Texas surpasses most states in many ways. 

Florida

On the other side of the country, hospitals, clinics, and private practices need to fill many nurse practitioner positions. Not only does Florida have a huge population, but many of the Sunshine State’s doctors are approaching retirement age. 

Over 23 million people live in Florida, and there are well over 1,000 NP job openings per year. This makes Florida a great option for nurse practitioners whose home states, unfortunately, don’t have great job markets. 

Location Largely Determines Your NP Career Outlook

Researching patient population density can help narrow down the best states for nurse practitioners. Naturally, patient demographics change with time, but states like California, New York, and Texas have always been reliable for NPs. If you pay attention to what drives growth and which states are affected most, you can find your dream career destination. 

With a Bachelor’s in Health Science along with an MBA, Sarah Daren has a wealth of knowledge within both the health and business sectors. Her expertise in scaling and identifying ways tech can improve the lives of others has led Sarah to be a consultant for a number of startup businesses, most prominently in the wellness industry, wearable technology and health education. She implements her health knowledge into every aspect of her life with a focus on making America a healthier and safer place for future generations to come.

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.