At the beginning of every year, new reports come out to give a state-on-the-union on job markets. They talk about the hottest jobs, those that have fallen below projections, and those that are believed to be taking off soon. The U.S. News and World Report is one of the more well-known groups that makes reports such as these at the year’s start, as it utilizes both employees of the field and public sentiment about the field, as well as many other defining subcategories, to score and rank jobs.
In 2023, the healthcare job listings have landed in some incredibly interesting spots, so read below to learn more about what this ranking system has to say about advanced practitioners in the years to come.
2023 Rankings
Advanced practitioners took the U.S. News and World Report for 2023’s Best 100 Jobs by storm. In the healthcare category, Nurse Practitioners took the number 1 spot and Physician Assistants took number 2. The report shows that these practices have incredible opportunities for growth and are actively bettering their community through rigorous education, experimentation, and open communication. Additionally, they rank high because of the fitting salary and the potential practitioners have for a good work-life balance.
Beyond the healthcare rankings, NPs and PAs also ranked highly in two other categories. In both the Overall Best Jobs and the STEM Best Jobs categories, Nurse Practitioners ranked second and Physician Assistants ranked fourth. This is a categorical sweep for these professions and practitioners should feel both pride and excitement for the work that has been done and the opportunities that will lie ahead because of it.
Education
For those interested in pursuing a career in this growing field, you should be made aware that it is a long and intense journey of education and application, but, as you can see, it is rewarded greatly afterwards. This is a general guide to what the next steps are for those interested, but you should always check local governing parties to be sure of your next steps are requirements.
Nurse Practitioners must start as registered nurses, meaning that you will need a bachelor’s, associate’s, or otherwise approved form of education to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become a registered nurse and begin practicing. You will then need to obtain a master’s degree at the minimum, though some do pursue a doctorate, and pass the APRN’s title and board certification exam. This exam not only registers you as someone who is safe to practice, but also gives you the ability to declare specialties, which can be a huge help in securing roles in the future.
Physician Assistants have a slightly different path. Before pursuing an education as a PA, students are expected to have a bachelor’s degree and extensive hands-on practice. Once accepted into a PA program, students will obtain, at minimum, a master’s degree, though you could continue to pursue a doctorate as well. After graduating from this program, students will have to pass the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). Passing this will allow you to begin practicing as a PA.
Both of these roles will also need continued education and reapplication to keep an active and updated license.
Finding Jobs in 2023
A promising career report like this means that the field will become more active, more educated, and more competitive in coming years. To ensure that you are finding the best job for you, check out our job board here or send us an updated resume here. You will connect with a specialized recruiter as soon as today and discuss the opportunities available, how to go after them, and how we will be supporting your application every step of the way.
Get started today and celebrate having a great new job in this growing field.
