ABSTRACT
Background and purpose: To understand the posttraining plans and job market for new nurse practitioners (NPs), a survey was conducted of new family NPs (FNPs) in 2017. The survey was also designed to test the logistics and feasibility of conducting such a survey on a national scale and the usefulness of data gathered.
Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey administered to a national sample of 159 FNPs who graduated from an accredited NP program.
Conclusions: Many new NPs are not willing or interested in moving out of their local community even if there are limited opportunities locally. There are high numbers of NPs going into private practice compared with community health or federally qualified health centers. Many new NPs have extensive previous work experience as registered nurses in hospitals; the career progression to NP shifts their work setting from inpatient to outpatient settings.
Implications for practice: Although the job market for new NPs is generally good, with the rapid increase in NP graduates combined with the unwillingness or inability of many new NPs to move, some areas may have surpluses of NPs and limited job opportunities for new NPs, whereas other areas may have shortages upcoming. The survey of new NP graduates is a useful tool to monitor the experience of new NPs and provides valuable information to NP programs and prospective students. Future research should ensure a representative sample of new graduate NPs to accurately reflect the experience of new NPs.