Career Outcomes for Nurse Practitioners in Chicago
Nurse practitioners (NPs) in Chicago, Illinois, are well positioned to experience strong career outcomes with high employment levels and a high average salary.
Of the 4,030 NPs practicing in Illinois, nearly half of them are employed in Chicago, the home base of 1,930 NPs. Chicago NPs earn an annual mean wage of $101,930, which is almost $50,000 more per year than the annual mean wage for all occupations in the state.
Scope of Practice in Chicago
Despite their prominence in Chicago, NPs in the city and throughout Illinois operate under reduced practice, a status that limits NPs in at least one area of their practice. Illinois state law necessitates that a “collaborative agreement” be reached between the NP and an outside health discipline in order for the nurse to practice.
For this reason, NPs in Chicago are considered only partially independent. A fully independent NP has the ability to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients, as well as prescribe medication, without physician involvement. A Chicago NP is restricted in at least one of these functions.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing formed the Campaign for Consensus to move the field toward the standardization of nurse practitioner state practice laws. Specifically, the Council seeks to secure full practice ability for all nurse practitioners. On a broader level, the Campaign aims to promote a better understanding of and respect for a nurse practitioner’s autonomy among consumers and throughout the health care community.
Are you interested in learning more about becoming a nurse practitioner in Chicago? Learn more about Nursing@Georgetown’s online master’s programs by requesting information below.
Sources:
https://www.bls.gov/oes/2016/may/oes291171.htm (2016)
https://www.nursepractitionerschools.com/blog/np-scope-of-practice (2016)