1995 - 2005: ANPs Growing in Arkansas

The first decade of advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) (now certified nurse practitioner [CNP]) licensure in Arkansas was one of growth. By December 2005, over 900 ANP licenses had been issued in Arkansas, although only about 700 were Arkansas residents.  

Arkansas ANPs played a key role in caring for the people displaced following Hurricane Katrina, both during the initial crisis and as Louisianans made Arkansas their long-term home.

A survey of nurse practitioners in family planning indicated a national average salary of $58,367 in 2005, although ANPs in Arkansas likely had lower salaries.

Nationally, there were about 106,000 nurse practitioners. Washington joined Alaska, Idaho, New Hampshire, Iowa, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, and Maine as full practice authority (FPA) states in 2005, the first new FPA state in 10 years. 

Let’s continue to grow the NP profession. If you were among the first 900 ANPs in Arkansas, consider a contribution of $30 to the Dr. Loretta Ford Scholarship Fund.