Published February 23, 2026
How to Find a Job as a Nurse Practitioner
Editor's Note: This article was originally written by Pri-Med faculty and published in 2023. It has since been reviewed and updated by the Pri-Med editorial team, with a new FAQ section added to help answer the most common questions we hear from NPs navigating their job search.
As a nurse practitioner, finding the right job can be a challenge. With so many different opportunities available, it can be difficult to know where to start the NP job search. However, by following a few key tips, you can increase your chances of finding the perfect job for your skills, interests, and location.
Before we discuss tips to land the right NP job, I wanted to share a great piece of advice to help frame your search. Benjamin Woodard, DNP, NP-C, FAWM, is one of the 19 faculty members ofPrimary Care Bootcamp for NPs and PAs, a comprehensive on-demand curriculum for NPs and PAs who are entering or in their first year of practice. In a panel discussion presented in Track 1 of the curriculum, Woodard reminds APPs that your first year of practice is like your intern year. "This is your chance to learn the way you want to practice well the first time." Woodard goes on to discuss the added pressure we as APPs must "show we know our stuff" and reminds early-career clinicians to be gentle with themselves as they begin practicing.
As you read through the tips below, remember that you're not looking for any nurse practitioner position—you're looking for the position that is going to be right for you.
Get Clear: What Type of Nurse Practitioner Role Do You Want?
Before you even start searching for jobs or brushing up your résumé, it's important to get clear about what type of role you're looking for. Consider your skills, interests, and long-term career goals. You may want to reflect on what your personal priorities are in terms of your schedule, what type of patient population you prefer, as well as what the demographics are of your community. Additionally, are you looking for a clinical role, leadership position, or something else entirely? By getting clear about what you're looking for, you can focus your nurse practitioner job search and avoid wasting time on opportunities that are not a good fit.
Get Your Documents Ready
The next step to finding the right NP job is to create a winning resume and cover letter. These documents are often the first impression you will make on a potential employer, so it's important to make them stand out. Highlight your most relevant skills and experiences, and tailor your resume and cover letter to each job you apply for. This will show the employer that you are serious about the position and have taken the time to research their organization.
Diversify Your Job Search
While online job postings can be a great resource, they should not be your only source of job leads. It's important to diversify your job search and explore other avenues for finding the right NP job. Attend job fairs, network with other healthcare professionals, and reach out to professional organizations and recruiters. By casting a wider net, you increase your chances of finding the right opportunity. Another helpful method can be "cold calling," which means reaching out by phone or email to clinics or organizations that you know would be a great fit, but maybe don't have any public job postings. This will hopefully be easy, since you have already gotten clear about what a good fit would look like for you in the first step, above!
Networking Is Important
Networking is an important aspect of any job search, but it's particularly important for nurse practitioners. Reach out to colleagues, mentors, and former classmates for advice and guidance. Attend professional conferences and events to meet new people and learn about job opportunities. By building a strong network, you can tap into a wealth of knowledge and resources that can help you find the right job.
Interviews Are a Two-Way Street
It's important to remember that interviewing is a two-way street. While the employer is interviewing you to see if you're a good fit for the job, you should also be interviewing them to see if they're a good fit for you. Prepare a list of questions to ask during the interview, and pay attention to the organization's culture, mission, and values. This will help you determine if the job is a good fit for you.
The panel discussion from Track 1 of Primary Care Bootcamp for NPs and PAs with Adam Katz, PA-C, Jillian Joseph, MPAS, PA-C, and Benjamin Woodard, DNP, NP-C, FAWM focuses on the interview being a chance for you to interview the practice. Woodard shares,
"There's this misconception that you're going in to see if you're the perfect fit for the job, and I would actually challenge all of the new graduates out there to really flip that around and make sure that it's a fit for you culturally. Personally, that the hours fit, etc. You're interviewing them as much as they're interviewing you."
They go on to share some questions that you can ask the hiring manager to better understand the culture and expectations of the practice. You can check out a portion of the panel below.
Finding the right NP job takes time and effort, but by following these tips, you can increase your chances of success. By approaching your nurse practitioner job search with a clear strategy and a positive attitude, you can find the right NP job for your skills and interests.
To learn more about navigating the challenges you might face as an NP early in your career, check out Primary Care Bootcamp for NPs and PAs.
Q: What are the best job boards specifically for nurse practitioners?
A: The AANP JobCenter is the largest dedicated NP job board in the nation, connecting employers with over 290,000 nurse practitioners. Other excellent options include ENP Network, PracticeMatch, Health eCareers, and general platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter that have extensive NP listings.
Q: How can new graduate nurse practitioners find their first job?
A: New graduate NPs should emphasize clinical rotation experiences, consider NP residency or fellowship programs, target community health centers and rural facilities that welcome new graduates, and leverage preceptor relationships for referrals and recommendations. Networking and persistence are key. Find more information in this blog article on tips for new grad NPs and PAs.
Q: Do I need to complete continuing education while job searching?
A: Yes, ensuring you meet licensure and certification requirements, keeps your clinical knowledge current. Maintaining current CME/CE credits demonstrates professionalism. Many employers verify that credentials are up to date before extending offers, making ongoing education essential during your search. To help you meet these requirements, Pri-Med offers a robust selection of CME/CE courses for Nurse Practitioners.
Q: Should I work with a healthcare recruiter to find NP positions?
A: Healthcare recruiters can be valuable partners who provide access to unadvertised positions, offer market insights, and negotiate on your behalf. However, also conduct your own search through job boards and networking to maximize opportunities. Vet recruiters carefully and maintain relationships even when not actively searching.
Q: What salary should I expect as a nurse practitioner in 2026?
A: NP salaries vary significantly based on specialty, geographic location, experience level, and practice setting. According to recent data, the median annual salary for nurse practitioners is approximately $129,000-$132,000. Specialized roles often command higher salaries, with some specialties like cardiology and critical care reaching $136,000-$172,000 annually. Use salary tools on job boards like Glassdoor and Indeed to research compensation ranges for your specific specialty and location. Consider the full compensation package including benefits, sign-on bonuses, CME allowances, and loan repayment programs.
Q: How important is networking in finding nurse practitioner jobs?
A: Networking is extremely important—many NP positions are filled through referrals and professional connections before being publicly posted. Build your LinkedIn presence, attend CME/CE conferences like Pri-Med's, join professional organizations like AANP, and connect with NPs in your desired specialty and geographic area to access hidden job opportunities.