NurseJournal.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
There is little doubt that nurse practitioners (NPs) are getting are huge demand, and the career path for NPs is supercharged with possibilities. Many states today, which have a shortage of doctors, are allowing NPs to set up practice independently, with no doctor or hospital supervising them. But there is a good deal of controversy in some states in allowing nurse practitioners to work on their own without any direct supervision by physicians.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners map below shows how policies about NPs vary from state to state. Overall, it seems that states in the West are the most friendly to NPs working on their own, while it is more restrictive in the Southeast.
An article by the Wall Street Journal recently highlighted this issue and showed that a total of 17 states currently let NPs work on their own and treat patients without direct doctor supervision. In five states – PA , CA, MI and MA among them – there is a showdown happening among the supporters of NPs and doctors groups and politicians who are considering legislation that will allow NPs to have full autonomy and set up their own practices. NJ also would allow NPs to be independent after they had spent two full years working with a doctor or a nurse of advanced practice with an MSN degree.
Highest Demand States for Nurse Practitioners

- California
- New York
- Florida
- Ohio
NurseJournal.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Whether you’re looking to get your pre-licensure degree or taking the next step in your career, the education you need could be more affordable than you think. Find the right nursing program for you.
Popular Resources
Resources and articles written by professionals and other nurses like you.