Why 2026 Is the Year Advanced Practice Providers Should Be Paying Attention
The healthcare landscape is shifting, and if you're a Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, it's shifting in your favor.
Patient needs are growing more complex, the demand for accessible care is accelerating, and the roles of APPs are expanding in ways that create real opportunity. Whether you're weighing your first locum tenens assignment, considering a specialty pivot, or simply trying to understand where the profession is headed, here's what every APP needs to know right now.
The Demand for APPs Has Never Been Stronger
The numbers tell a compelling story. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 45% growth rate for nurse practitioners from 2023 to 2033 — one of the fastest trajectories of any profession in the country. NPs are also the fastest-growing occupation in the U.S., with job growth projected at 40.9% through 2034.
PAs are seeing equally strong momentum. Whether you're seeking new challenges, better work-life balance, or higher compensation, the opportunities to transition into a new specialty or practice setting have never been more plentiful.
And for CRNAs? Anesthesia services top demand projections, with a 55% expected demand increase. That figure underscores just how critical nurse anesthetists are to the functioning of modern healthcare.
Locum Tenens Is a Career Strategy
One of the most significant shifts in advanced practice is how APPs think about locum tenens work. It's no longer a gap-filler between permanent jobs. For a growing number of NPs, PAs, and CRNAs, it's the primary career model.
The financial case is strong. At AMN Healthcare, APPs working locum tenens can expect competitive salaries reflecting their advanced skills. Rates often exceed those of permanent roles. For PAs, travel assignments frequently provide hourly rates equivalent to $150,000 or more annually, plus housing allowances, travel reimbursement, and flexible scheduling. Locum CRNAs often earn an hourly range of $146–$158, well above the national mean — and in high-need states like Illinois, annual salaries typically range from $245,000 to $250,000.
Beyond compensation, 63% of providers surveyed reported working exclusively in locum tenens positions, while 37% balance both locum and permanent roles. This isn't a short-term solution. It's a long-term career choice.
Scope of Practice Is Expanding
Perhaps the most consequential trend for APPs is the rapid expansion of practice authority. As of mid-2026, approximately 30 states and Washington, D.C., grant some form of full practice authority to nurse practitioners, up from 22 in 2020. The movement is accelerating, driven by physician shortages, pandemic-era evidence, and bipartisan recognition that NPs deliver safe, cost effective care.
For CRNAs, scope expansion means taking on roles beyond the traditional operating room, such as managing acute and chronic pain services — opening doors to new settings, patient populations, and earning potential.
If you're considering a locum assignment in a new state, understanding that state's practice authority landscape is now a critical part of your decision making. It shapes where you can practice, how you build your career, and what you can negotiate.
The Logistics Don't Have to Be Complicated
The administrative side of locum tenens, i.e., licensing, credentialing, malpractice coverage, and housing can feel overwhelming. That's where working with the right partner makes all the difference.
AMN Healthcare provides travel, housing, licensing support, and malpractice coverage with tail coverage included, so you can focus on patient care. We also assist with multi-state licensing applications and cover licensing fees, making it easier to take assignments in new locations. Assignments range from a few days to several months, with options to fit your schedule.
Specialization Is Your Competitive Edge
As healthcare grows more complex, specialization is a powerful way to advance your career. Specialized NPs in cardiology, oncology, emergency medicine, and psychiatry command premium salaries. PAs pursuing specialty certification in emergency medicine, surgery, or cardiology demonstrate expertise that justifies higher compensation. And CRNAs exploring non traditional workplaces, such as surgical centers, pain clinics, or overseas opportunities, can unlock new earning potential.
Your Moment Is Now
The future for Advanced Practice Providers is bright. Growing demand, expanding roles, and evolving practice authority are creating a dynamic career landscape. By staying informed about these trends, you can strategically position yourself for what comes next.
Whether you're an NP ready to practice with full autonomy in a new state, a PA looking to test-drive a specialty through a locum assignment, or a CRNA exploring high-paying opportunities in the markets that need your skills most — the conditions in 2026 are working in your favor.
The opportunities are out there. The question is whether you're positioned to take advantage of them.
