Nevada has experienced a tremendous population boom in recent years, leading to a shortage of healthcare providers. As of 2010, the state had just over 660 nurse practitioners. In rural areas, there were just 0 to 23 advanced practice nurses (APNs) per 100,000 residents. Urban counties had anywhere from 17 to 46 APNs per 100,000 residents.
The state currently has a relatively restrictive practice environment. Nevada nurse practitioners are required to have a collaborative agreement in place with a physician before they can diagnose or treat illness or prescribe medication. Most Nevada NPs, though, are "satisfied" or "minimally satisfied" with their jobs.
Nevada nurse practitioners earn, on average, $89,000 per year.
Some of the top NP programs in Nevada include:
- University of Nevada - Las Vegas. UNLV has Master's level nurse practitioner programs such as Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Gerontological Nurse Practitioner. Check with the school to see which programs are currently accepting applicants, as some programs may be full. UNLV also offers a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP).
- University of Nevada - Reno. Orvis School of Nursing at the University of Nevada-Reno offers a Master's-level Family Nurse Practitioner program. It also offers a DNP program (recommended as the minimal degree for NP practice by 2015) in conjunction with UNLV.
- Touro University. Located in southern Nevada, Touro University offers both an MSN program and a DNP program. Neither has nurse practitioner-specific tracks, though, so if you're interested in becoming a nurse practitioner check with the School of Nursing to be sure the programs adequately prepare you for NP practice.
Accredited schools with NP programs in Nevada:
