The Vermont Area Health Education Centers Network reports that there is a significant shortage of primary care providers, particularly internal medicine physicians, in every region of the state. With the upcoming changes in healthcare, there will likely be an increased need for MSN-prepared advanced practice nurses to provide primary and specialty care, especially in rural areas of Vermont. The Department of Health has formed a task force to address issues and barriers surrounding advanced practice nurses as primary care providers.
Mental health nurse practitioners are already moving in to meet the demand. A study out of the University of Southern Maine found that there are about 10 mental health NPs per 100,000 people in Vermont, compared to only about three per 100,000 people nationally. While Vermont's NP salaries are not the highest in the country, their mean earnings are about $63,000 per year and trending upward, according to a salary survey published in Advance for Nurse Practitioners. Like much of the country, Vermont also has an acute need for MSN-prepared nurse educators, particularly in pre-RN programs. For more information, check out the Vermont State Board of Nursing, Vermont State Nurses Association, and Vermont Nurse Practitioners Association.
Programs to consider:
Georgetown University (online MSN programs). The prestigious Georgetown University offers an online program in advanced practice specialties along with other tracks such as education. Clinical requirements for advanced practice specialties can be arranged in your area.
The University of Vermont (Burlington, VT). UVM offers MSNs for some advanced practice tracks - some with a primary care focus are being transitioned into DNP programs.
