7 Nurse Practitioner and Nurse-Midwife Statistics You Should Know
Nurse practitioner (NP) and nurse-midwife roles within the advanced practice nurse (APRN) domain offer rewarding and promising career paths for nurses seeking competitive compensation, enhanced practice authority, and greater autonomy in their professional endeavors. APRNs have been getting increased attention as their skills align with widening gaps in healthcare. If you’re considering a career as a nurse practitioner or nurse-midwife, there are some key statistics you should know.
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Here are some facts about NPs and nurse-midwives and the future of the roles.
Fact #1: Nurse Practitioner is the No. 1-Ranked Job in Healthcare
According to U.S. News and World Report, the nurse practitioner career has a lot of great qualities that make it the No. 1 job in healthcare in 2024. Nurse practitioners rated their job satisfaction as above average in terms of future growth.
Nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives can work in a variety of settings depending on their interest and desired lifestyle. For example, NPs who want to live in a rural area will find that primary care is sorely needed, and there are ample opportunities for them to treat underserved populations. NPs who want a fast pace can work in hospitals and critical care settings.
There are four advanced practice roles nurses can explore:
- Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse-Midwife
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Nurse Anesthetist
And within these roles, APRNs can choose from a variety of population focal points, including:
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Fact #2: Nurse Practitioners Will Earn the 4th Highest Salary of the Top 20 Fastest-Growing Occupations Over the Next Decade
Nurse practitioners are tied for the fastest-growing occupation, according to the BLS, with their annual median salary listed as the fourth highest of the top 20 fastest-growing jobs.
As nursing shortages persist, experts predict wage increases for NPs will continue as employers compete to attract and retain talent.
Fact #3: Nurse Practitioner Jobs Are Expected to Grow 45% by 2032
One of the most important nurse practitioner statistics is the job outlook. Demand for NPs is high right now as the number of advanced care providers dwindles due to burnout and retirement, and the needs of patients increase as the large baby boomer generation ages. Nurse practitioners have the skills and preparation to bridge the gaps in primary care left by these trends.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that nurse practitioner demand will continue to outpace supply as the number of available jobs grows 45% by 2032. This is “much faster than the average” projected job growth for all occupations, making the NP role a strong choice for job security.
Fact #4: The DNP was Endorsed as the Necessary Preparation for Nurse Practitioners and APRNs in 2004
Currently, nurses may sit for their nurse practitioner or nurse-midwifery board certification exam if they have earned a graduate-level degree from a nurse practitioner or nurse-midwifery program. This allows nurses with a master’s degree to practice. However, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) endorsed the doctor of nursing practice degree (DNP) in 2004 as a necessity for all advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), including nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives.
Doctorally prepared advanced practice nurses have achieved the highest level of education in their field. While they are clinically qualified to work as APRNs, such as nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives, they are also prepared to take on larger and more influential roles in nursing leadership, such as chief nursing officer positions.
Doctorally prepared executive nurse leaders have greater non-clinical education that prepares them for the executive boardroom and business side of healthcare. DNP-prepared nurses are also versed in policy, which gives them a foundation to address public health.
Fact #5: 27 States Currently Allow Nurse Practitioners Full Practice Authority
Nurse practitioners are prepared to handle a variety of medical tasks and responsibilities, but depending on where they practice, their scope may be limited by local practice authority laws. Currently, 27 states and Washington D.C. have granted nurse practitioners full practice authority, which allows them to:
- Evaluate patients
- Make diagnoses
- Order and interpret diagnostic tests
- Initiate and manage treatments, and
- Prescribe medications
In full practice authority states, nurse practitioners can “utilize knowledge, skills, and judgment to practice to the full extent of their education and training,” as defined by the American Nurses Association.
Fact #6: Most Nurse Practitioners and Nurse-Midwives Earned a 6-Figure Salary in 2023
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finds that as of May 2023 the median annual salary for nurse practitioners was $126,260 with over 75% earning over 6-figures. Nurse practitioner and nurse-midwife pay varies by location, care setting, years of experience and specialty. NPs can increase their salary prospects by working in emergency, acute and critical care settings like hospitals located on the coasts and in urban areas.
Fact #7: Baylor University Produces Many of the Nation's DNP Graduates
For nearly 180 years, Baylor has been on a mission to educate the next generation of servant-leaders for worldwide influence. With seven different pathways to choose from, students enjoy a mix of online coursework with on-campus immersions and hands on skill development during the program.
- DNP - Executive Nurse Leadership
- DNP - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner
- DNP - Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- DNP - Nurse-Midwifery
- DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Baylor’s online DNP programs are ideal for registered nurses who have earned a bachelor’s or master’s of science in nursing degree and who aspire to reach the highest level of nursing education. With remote learning that works for nurses, and free clinical placement support that helps meet students where they are, Baylor’s online DNP program is a flexible and accessible way to further your nursing education.
Baylor’s DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and Baylor’s DNP - Nurse-Midwifery program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). It is ranked the No.2 Best DNP Program in Texas by dnpprograms.com and No.4 Best Nurse Practitioner Program in Texas in 2022 by nursingprocess.org.
Doctorally prepared advanced practice nurses from Baylor are positioned to shape the future of healthcare by improving patient outcomes, informing policy and leading the nursing profession. If you’re ready to leave your mark on the future of nursing, see what Baylor has to offer.