Sumo Medial Staffing

If you think there’s a big demand for Nurse Practitioners now, just wait! Experts say the demand for advanced practice providers will increase for years to come. 

Due to an aging population, physician shortage and increased access to healthcare, the need for comprehensive primary and specialty care has grown in communities throughout the United States. Nurse Practitioners are vital in helping ease the healthcare burden in areas with a limited pool of physicians. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting a 45 percent growth rate for NPs, a rate much faster than the average for other occupations.  

Salary

The median salary for nurse practitioners is $115,800, as opposed to a median salary of $73,000 for RNs. Depending on your specialty, geographic area and work setting, that number can be even higher. This is especially true for NPs choosing locum jobs. Locum nurse practitioner salaries range from $141,959/year or $68,25/hour to $193,000/year or $93/hour. 

NP specialties with the most rapid demand and growth rate at this time include: 

• Primary Care 
• Behavioral Health 
• Geriatrics 
• Oncology 

Most Popular NP Specialties

Though all nurse practitioners can write prescriptions, order labs and diagnose patients, responsibilities vary based on the scope of their training. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), nearly 70 percent of nurse practitioners are Family Nurse Practitioners. In this role, FNP responsibilities typically include: 

• Performing Exams 
• Monitoring Patient Updates/Maintaining Records 
• Develop/Adjust Treatment Plans 
• Education/Support of Patients

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNP) work with children of all ages in settings ranging from private practice to public health.  There are also PNP-ACs, who are pediatric nurse practitioners working in acute care settings such as pediatric ICUs, emergency departments and specialty clinics. 

And with our aging population, it should be no surprise that Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners (AGNP) are in demand. Though, the name can be misleading. AGNPs can work with adult and teenage patients, providing comprehensive or acute healthcare. These NPs typically work in intensive care units, emergency rooms, acute care units or nursing homes. AGNPs are unique in that they can help older adults cope with the aging process and the needs that come with it. 

The three other NP specialties that round out the list of “in-demand” locum NP specialties are Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNP) and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP). PMHNPs work in private psychiatric practice, schools and community mental health centers. NNPs work with infants through age 2 who are born with birth defects or other conditions. These NP specialists work in neonatal intensive care units. While the focus of their work is to care for babies, they are also there to care for baby’s family with support and education. WHNPs provide gynecologic care and typically work in private practice – though they can also be found in clinics, hospitals and fertility clinics. 

Locum tenens work began in the late 1970s when rural healthcare facilities found themselves struggling to hire enough staff to take care of patients. Providers would contract to fill temporary vacancies. Today, the field has grown to include not only physicians, but also nurse practitioners looking for temporary postings where they can care for patients and do the most good.  Locum tenens has become a popular career choice for nurse practitioners seeking a flexible schedule, great pay and the power to chart their own professional path.  

Once you’ve decided to explore your options as an interim nurse practitioner, you want to make sure to find a medical staffing company you can trust. SUMO Medical Staffing has a proven track record in helping nurse practitioners find jobs that best fit their specific needs. Our staffing representatives are ready to discuss your career goals and future. Request a consultation with a locum tenens staffing specialist today.