Nurse Practitioner is again the top job in the nation according to U.S. News and World Report.
The ranking points to the profession’s growth outlook, with jobs expected to increase by 46% in the next 8 years, as well as its salary levels and prospects for advancement.
NP also topped their list for Best STEM and Best Health Care jobs and was the 23rd best paying job, with a median salary of $126,260 in 2023.
This is the second consecutive year NPs have earned U.S. News’ top ranking and the third year is was named the best health care job.
U.S. News spoke to several NPs about what makes the career so appealing to them
“Many believe our role begins with diagnosis and ends with a treatment plan, but it encompasses so much more,” Deborah Jones-Shook, a certified registered nurse practitioner at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center, told them in an email. “It’s about building trusting relationships with patients and their families and the shared collegiality with colleagues. It’s also about teaching people to care for themselves and fostering medical literacy.”
That’s not to suggest the job is stress free.
“The high expectations and multiple roles that NPs play can indeed be stressful,” Pamela Marsh, chief pediatric nurse practitioner for Valley Children’s Healthcare, said in an email. “You’re not only responsible for patient care but also for decision-making, managing complex cases and collaborating with other health care professionals.”
The report also notes that speciality roles within the NP field may offer more job security.
“In my experience, a specialty position tends to be more stable due to the required focus on knowledge and skill set,” said Justin Cole, adult gerontology nurse practitioner at St. Dominic’s Medical Associates in Jackson, Mississippi. “Alternatively, the market seems to be more volatile and chaotic for primary care and acute care providers due to the number of available job openings and individuals seeking those specific job opportunities.”