Nurse practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who play a key role in ensuring patients receive quality care. Now is an excellent time to consider becoming an NP, as opportunities in the field are expanding. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), positions for nurse practitioners are expected to increase by 45% between 2022 and 2032 — a job growth projection that is nearly unparalleled in any other field.
For those considering pursuing an advanced nursing degree, this projected growth is promising. But what kind of compensation do NPs receive, and how does it vary by location? And, for those who plan to practice in the Midwest, how much do nurse practitioners make in Missouri?
The Health Care Shortage at a Glance
One reason to become a nurse practitioner is to help mitigate the difficulties caused by the ongoing primary care shortage, which includes physicians, NPs and physician assistants (PAs). According to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), there may be a full time primary care physician shortage of up to 68,020 by 2036. It will be most prevalent in rural areas.
This shortage is driven by a few factors. The last of the baby boom generation will be 65 by 2030, and older patients generally have more chronic health conditions than younger patients and are subject to more acute issues. The anticipated increase in the demand for health care services by these patients is likely to increase stress in health care facilities, particularly those that are understaffed.
Burnout is another factor in the primary care shortage. According to the HRSA, more than half of primary care providers (PCPs) reported that they experienced burnout in 2022. This may lead to higher turnover and PCPs leaving their professions.
PCPs are also increasingly providing obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) and behavioral health services, further validating the need for skilled primary care professionals.
How Nurse Practitioners Can Help
Nurse practitioners can help mitigate this ongoing shortage by providing essential primary care services and working to fill care gaps in these areas. They can provide primary care services as family nurse practitioners (FNPs), mental health services as psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) or obstetric and gynecological services as women’s health nurse practitioners (WHNPs).
Nurse practitioners can also help improve care delivery to patients living in rural areas that are underserved by primary care resources. This is a significant factor in Missouri, where 33.7% of the population resides in rural counties. While NPs in Missouri do not have full practice authority, they are permitted to perform primary care services in collaboration with a supervising physician.
Nurse practitioners interested in learning how to become an APRN in Missouri will find they can have a great opportunity to make a real difference there. While the BLS projects massive national growth for nurse practitioners, growth in Missouri is projected to be even higher. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop job site, Missouri is expected to see a 48% growth in jobs for nurse practitioners between 2020 and 2030.
This long-term job outlook is important to bear in mind for those wondering how long it takes to become a nurse practitioner. Nurses who already have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and are working in the field may be able to earn an advanced degree and become an NP in less than three years. Individuals who begin advanced education now will still enter the field in a period of intense growth and opportunity.
Salary for Missouri Nurse Practitioners
Because NPs play such a vital role in health care, they are well compensated. In 2023, the median annual salary for nurse practitioners in Missouri was $117,910, according to the BLS.
How much a nurse practitioner makes in Missouri can be affected by factors such as their education level, experience and specialization and where they practice within the state. For example, the median annual salary for NPs in 2023 was $126,470 in the Kansas City metropolitan area, $118,950 in the St. Louis metropolitan area and $106,990 in the Springfield metropolitan area, according to the BLS.
Prepare to Make an Impact
Becoming an NP puts you in a position to make a real impact on patients’ lives. New nurse practitioners are desperately needed, particularly in states like Missouri that are facing shortages. This can make the nurse practitioner role a uniquely gratifying one.
Rockhurst University’s Online Master of Science in Nursing — Family Nurse Practitioner program can help you make a difference in health care. Our fully online program is designed to help you cultivate the knowledge and skills you’ll need to become an FNP in less than three years, giving you the opportunity to provide high-quality primary care to patients of all ages. Learn how Rockhurst can help you advance in your nursing career.
Sources:
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Nursing Shortage Fact Sheet
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners, State Practice Environment
- Avant Healthcare Professionals, “How Does an Aging Population Affect the Nursing Shortage?”
- CareerOneStop, Projected Employment for Nurse Practitioners in Missouri
- Health Resources and Service Administration, State of the Primary Care Workforce, 2023
- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, “Health in Missouri: Biennial Report 2020-2021”
- National Council of School Boards of Nursing, “NCSBN Research Projects Significant Nursing Workforce Shortages and Crisis”
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Kansas City, MO-KS
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Missouri
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023: 29-1171 Nurse Practitioners
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Registered Nurses
