10 different career options for NPs
June 29, 2026
NPs are one of the fastest-growing professions in healthcare, with over 385,000 licensed practitioners in the U.S. and the BLS projecting 46% employment growth through 2033. The demand for your skills has never been higher. What many NPs don't realize is how many directions that demand can take you.
Whether you're a new grad mapping your path, a mid-career NP weighing a change, or someone running on fumes and looking for more flexibility, here's a look at 10 career options worth exploring—starting with the one that gives you the most control over how, when, and where you work.
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Whether you’re new to the profession or are looking to make a change, here are 10 nurse practitioner employment opportunities that are worth exploring.
“Nurse practitioners work in a tremendous amount of settings,” said Theresa M. Campo, DNP, APRN, FAANP, FAAN, vice president of Education and Accreditation at the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). “Anywhere a patient needs care, a nurse practitioner is there to provide it.”
1. Locum tenens nurse practitioner
Few NP career paths offer the same combination of flexibility and high earning potential as locum tenens. Locum NPs work on short- or long-term contract assignments at facilities that need temporary coverage, with the freedom to choose assignments that fit their schedule, specialty, and preferred location.
What it pays: Locum tenens NPs typically earn significantly more per hour than permanent positions, particularly in high-demand specialties like psychiatric NP, family NP in underserved areas, and hospitalist roles. When you factor in housing stipends, travel reimbursement, and malpractice coverage—all typically handled by your staffing agency—the compensation picture is even stronger.
Why NPs choose it: NP Diana Armstrong made the switch to locums after decades in full-time clinical roles. During her first year working locums, she took time off over the holidays for the first time in her career.
It's nice to be able to pick your assignment and where you want to go and meet all kinds of different people.
Locums can also work as a side arrangement that supplements permanent employment—a way to increase income without a full career change.
The main adjustment is adapting to new workflows and EMR systems at each facility, which Armstrong admits was extremely difficult at first. But for NPs who are adaptable and ready for variety, locums is a highly rewarding path.
Is this for you? Locums tends to suit mid-career NPs seeking flexibility, NPs facing burnout who need a reset, new grads who want to build breadth of experience quickly, or anyone who wants to explore different regions or practice settings before committing long-term.
Take a break: Using locum tenens to take a sabbatical
2. Family practice NP
Family practice is where nearly 70% of NPs build their careers, and for good reason. Family NPs provide comprehensive, longitudinal care to patients across the lifespan, working in outpatient clinics, community health centers, rural health practices, and more.
What it pays: The median NP salary is approximately $121,610 annually, with family practice NPs in rural and underserved areas often commanding higher salaries due to demand and state incentive programs.
Family practice NPs are in high demand, giving providers real leverage when negotiating schedules, setting, and work-life balance. The continuity of patient relationships is what many find most rewarding. On the other side, high patient volumes and administrative burden are consistent pain points—particularly in primary care settings.
If you love family practice but want more variety or greater control over your schedule, locum tenens family NP roles may be the right fit.
3. Specialist NP
Beyond family practice, NPs can specialize in acute care, gerontology, neonatal care, pediatrics, psychiatric care, women's health, cardiology, gastroenterology, emergency medicine, and more. Specialist NPs work in both inpatient hospital settings and outpatient specialty clinics.
What it pays: Specialty NP salaries vary significantly by specialty. Psychiatric NPs and acute care NPs in high-demand hospital settings tend to command salaries at the top of the NP pay scale. Psychiatric NPs in particular have seen strong locum tenens demand as the behavioral health workforce gap continues to widen.
Hospital work is dynamic and diverse—but comes with long shifts, rotating schedules, and night/weekend/holiday coverage. Private specialty clinics offer more predictable hours at the trade-off of a narrower patient mix.
4. Telehealth NP
Telehealth has moved from pandemic necessity to permanent fixture—and demand continues to grow across nearly every specialty. NPs can choose full-time, part-time, or locums telehealth roles, either within a traditional practice or in a fully virtual setting.
What it pays: Telehealth NP compensation varies by employer, specialty, and visit volume, but the elimination of commute costs and geographic salary constraints makes telehealth financially attractive. Remote roles also open up higher-paying markets for NPs in lower-cost-of-living areas.
The core appeal is accessibility—for patients in rural or underserved areas who lack transportation, telehealth is transformative. For NPs, it offers schedule flexibility and eliminates commute. The trade-off is the inability to perform physical exams and a reduced in-person connection.
5. Independent practice NP
Full practice authority is now the law in 30 states, and NPs are increasingly opening their own practices—particularly in primary care, mental health, and women's health. Independent practice offers maximum autonomy, schedule control, and earning potential, but requires business acumen alongside clinical skill.
What it pays: Independent practice income varies widely based on specialty, payer mix, overhead, and geography. Concierge and direct primary care models—where patients pay a monthly membership fee directly—are growing rapidly among NPs seeking to escape fee-for-service models and insurance complexity.
The growth in full practice authority states has genuinely expanded what's possible for NPs who want to own their practice. If you're considering this path, connecting with NPs who've made the transition is one of the most valuable early steps.
Nurse practitioners are working in their full capabilities within the military.
6. Home health NP
Home health NPs provide care in patients' homes—helping people manage chronic conditions, recover from procedures, or maintain independence as they age. As the population continues to age, demand for home health NPs will only grow.
What it pays: Home health NP compensation often includes mileage reimbursement and can be competitive, though it varies by employer type (agency, health system, or independent practice) and visit volume.
The meaningful upside of home health is autonomy and depth of relationship—home health NPs typically build sustained connections with their patients over time. The realistic downsides are potential isolation and significant time spent traveling between homes.
7. Healthcare administration
As careers progress, some NPs move into leadership and administrative roles—such as department management, quality improvement, nursing leadership, or executive positions like CNO. These roles allow NPs to influence patient care at a systemic level rather than one patient at a time.
What it pays: Healthcare administration salaries for NPs vary considerably by title and organization, but senior administrative roles often match or exceed clinical NP salaries, particularly in large health systems.
The broader impact of shaping policy and process is genuinely fulfilling for many NPs. The trade-off is trading direct patient care for meetings, metrics, and organizational complexity—some NPs love it; others discover they miss the clinical work.
It’s nice to be able to pick your assignment and where you want to go and meet all kinds of different people.
“You can select short- or long-term assignments with locums and stay close to home or explore all new places. Locums can also be a great NP side gig that supplements an NP’s regular employment.
One drawback for Armstrong is the need to learn new workflows and IT systems at each new facility. “It was extremely difficult for me in the beginning,” she said.
8. Military NP
NPs working as civilians for the U.S. military provide care to active-duty personnel, veterans, and military families. "Nurse practitioners are working in their full capabilities within the military," said Campo.
What it pays: Military civilian NP positions offer competitive federal government salaries, plus benefits typically stronger than those in the private sector, including retirement, healthcare, and job stability.
The military offers both domestic and international postings, as well as access to specialized training and career development. The trade-off is a demanding hiring process and less schedule flexibility than most civilian roles.
9. Academics and education
NP educators shape the next generation of practitioners—teaching in nursing schools, developing curriculum, and conducting research that advances evidence-based practice.
What it pays: Academic NP salaries vary by institution type (research university vs. community college) and typically run below clinical NP salaries, though some academic-clinical hybrid roles combine teaching with part-time practice. Locum tenens can be an effective source of supplemental income for NPs in academic roles.
Becoming an educator often requires a DNP or PhD and may involve relocating to a new geographic area to secure a position. Primary research is another academic avenue that contributes to the evidence base shaping future practice.
10. Advocacy and consulting
Advocacy: Health policy advocates research and champion policies that improve public health outcomes—working within nonprofits, healthcare systems, and government. Some NPs run for and win political office. "We have nurse practitioners who have run for and hold political office at the local, state, and federal levels, which is extremely exciting," said Campo. Advocacy requires persistence and patience; policy change is slow and offers no guarantees. The payoff, when it comes, is impact at scale.
Consulting: NP consultants bring deep clinical and operational expertise to healthcare organizations launching new programs, improving care quality, or building educational capacity. Consulting typically requires significant NP leadership experience and is most accessible to senior practitioners. Engagements can range from domestic health system projects to international partnerships—some universities worldwide have worked with U.S. NPs to build advanced practice nursing programs.
NP consultants bring their expertise to help healthcare organizations establish new programs or otherwise improve patient care. NP consultants can also help colleges or universities start or improve an NP educational program in the United States or internationally.
There are universities throughout the world where U.S. nurses and nurse practitioners have shared their expertise, education, and resources to help build advanced practice nursing.
Becoming a consultant typically requires extensive experience as an NP, particularly in leadership roles, and consultant positions are less plentiful than other NP career options.
CompHealth can help you find the perfect NP job. Give us a call or view today's NP job opportunities.
FAQ: NP career options
What NP specialty pays the most?
Psychiatric NPs and acute care NPs in high-demand hospital settings consistently rank among the highest earners. Locum tenens NPs in high-need specialties and underserved locations tend to earn above the median, regardless of specialty, with housing and travel stipends adding to overall compensation.
Which NP career path offers the most flexibility?
Locum tenens offers the most schedule control of any NP career path—you choose your assignments, locations, and how much you work. Telehealth and part-time permanent roles are also strong options for NPs who want flexibility without fully leaving a traditional setting.
Can NPs open their own practice?
Yes, in 30 states with full practice authority, NPs can open and operate an independent practice without physician oversight. Primary care, mental health, and women's health are the most common independent practice models. Direct primary care and concierge models are growing rapidly among NPs looking to move away from fee-for-service constraints.
How does locum tenens work for NPs?
A locum tenens agency like CompHealth matches you with facilities that need temporary NP coverage, then handles licensing, credentialing, malpractice insurance, housing, and travel logistics. You choose assignments that fit your specialty, availability, and preferred location, and get paid a competitive rate for each one.
Is locum tenens a good option for NPs early in their careers?
It can be, especially for NPs who want to quickly build breadth of experience across settings and specialties. Most agencies recommend at least one to two years of clinical experience first, since locums assignments typically involve a degree of independent practice. CompHealth's NP recruiters can advise on readiness based on your background.
What are the best non-clinical career options for NPs?
Healthcare administration, health policy advocacy, consulting, academics, and industry roles in pharma or medical devices are the most common paths. An NP credential carries real clinical credibility in all of these—it's not just a stepping stone out of practice, it's a differentiator in non-clinical roles too.
CompHealth can help you find the perfect nurse practitioner job. Give us a call at 800.453.3030 or view today’s NP job opportunities.