Nurse Practitioner (NP) Jobs

Based on 2023’s listing data, these were the 5 nurse practitioner specialties with the most open jobs.

1. Family Practice NP
2. Psychiatric NP
3. Urgent Care NP
4. Pediatric NP
5. Internal Medicine NP

We expect these positions to enjoy continued demand in 2024. Nurse practitioner jobs with surgery specialties have also been trending upward year-over-year.

Nurse practitioners make a median salary of $120,000 a year. Nurse practitioners in top-earning states and specialties exceed $150,000 a year. The highest-earning locum nurse practitioners exceed $125 an hour.

Generally, NPs in surgery and psychiatric specialties make the most money.

Permanent psychiatric nurse practitioners reported an average annual salary of $145,000 last year, which is considerably higher than the average salary for all NP types.

Locum tenens psychiatric NPs and nurse practitioners in surgery specialties often earn more than $100 per hour, depending on experience, speciality, and the assignment. At 40 hours a week, that would result in an average annual income exceeding $200,000.

Yes! Locum tenens is a great way to gain experience as a nurse practitioner, as well as explore a specialty to see if it’s right for you. While some nurse practitioner jobs require specific experience, because all nurse practitioners already have medical experience as an RN, some new NP grads find it easier to find work right away than their provider peers.

The easiest way to find a job as a new NP graduate is to connect with a dedicated Barton recruiter, who can find you an open job that matches your experience and skill set.

Check out our tips for finding work as a new nurse practitioner grad, and learn about certifications that can expand job opportunities for new nurse practitioners.

Yes! Barton Associates offers free comprehensive malpractice insurance to all locum tenens nurse practitioners who work with us. Our claims-made insurance is furnished by an “A”-rated insurance company and includes tail coverage for all providers. Learn more about our NP malpractice insurance here.

What Jobs Can a Nurse Practitioner Do?

The opportunities for a nurse practitioner have never been greater. While the official role of nurse practitioner was pioneered by Dr. Loretta Ford in 1965 as a part of a decades-long response to solve a lack of access to primary care and family care, the role of nurse practitioner has expanded significantly in the last 50 years.

Nurse practitioners practice in over 120 specialties in a clinical setting, and often provide their expertise in non-traditional roles as well. Here are some opportunities nurse practitioners may want to consider:

Locum tenens is one of the fastest growing segments of healthcare, growing 27% year-over-year with continued projected growth in 2024. Locum tenens NP jobs are defined by their status as temporary assignments with a pre-determined start and end date. Nurse practitioners often choose locum tenens work for its flexibility, increased pay, and the ability to travel.

Flexibility is the number-one reason nurse practitioners choose locum tenens jobs, with full-time nurse practitioners citing long hours and burnout as a top reason for job dissatisfaction.

Nurse practitioners looking for part time NP jobs often find locum tenens work to be a terrific fit. NPs who are only free to work certain times of the year can choose assignments that are only contracted to match the duration they are looking for. Locum Tenens NPs often also have a variety of shift hours to choose from amongst available open assignments.

Nurse practitioners are well-suited to fill non-clinical roles in fields such as politics, technology, writing, and education. In fact, many providers who have worked with Barton in locum tenens roles go on to find alternative careers as a nurse practitioner.

Some opportunities that benefit from an NP’s background include roles in public health, urban planning, or health ethnography. Nurse practitioners are also well-positioned to work at law firms as medical consultants and legal experts. With their training in clinical research, nurse practitioners can also apply for positions in user research or patient experience at hospitals, healthcare tech startups, or insurance companies. Finally, nurse practitioners are often qualified to fill positions as professors, clinical editors, and continuing education writers.

Nurse practitioner qualifications are regulated on a state level. Each state has its own specific nurse practitioner licensing requirements, and each state also has various scope of practice legislation that determines what an NP can do. However, that doesn’t mean that you’re limited to practice in the state in which you’re certified. Nurse practitioner certification happens on a national level, and most states aim to make it relatively painless to achieve a license. Plus, our team of licensing experts will handling all the licensing and credentialing logistics when you work with us on an assignment.