Survey: Demand, salaries on the rise for advanced practice clinicians

CHICAGO — A movement toward a more team-based, coordinated approach to patient care has helped drive increased demand for advance practice clinicians, as well as an increase in salaries for this group, according to findings of a recently released survey.



The "2012 Advanced Practice Clinician Compensation and Pay Practices Survey Report" was released by Sullivan, Cotter and Associates, a healthcare compensation and human resources management consulting firm, and the American Medical Group Association, a trade association representing medical groups and integrated health systems.


The survey revealed a high demand for clinical professionals, as 63% of respondents reported a 17% increase in the APC workforce over the last 12 months and 53% indicated they plan to increase the APC workforce by 15% in the next 12 months. In addition, of 135 organizations responding to APC compensation questions, nearly two-thirds (62%) reported increased salaries with an average and median increase of 3.9% and 3%, respectively, over the past 12 months. The survey also found that more than half of these organizations (54%) plan to provide salary increases to APCs in the next 12 months, with a projected average and median increase of 3.1% and 3%, respectively.



“While reported salary increases continue to be moderate, the increases show no sign of abating,” stated SullivanCotter principal Kay Jensen. “Drivers of demand and salary increases include responses to physician shortages and repositioning of the workforce to ensure all medical professionals can work to the top of their practice level.”



More than 275 health systems, hospitals and physician group practices participated in the survey, submitting data for certified registered nurse anesthetists, midwives, nurse practitioners and physician assistants with data effective May 1, 2012.