Nurse Practitioners Rank #1 Best Job in America for the Third Year in a Row

If you’ve been wondering whether pursuing a nursing career in the United States is worth it, the latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report offer a clear answer: absolutely yes. For the third year in a row, nurse practitioner (NP) has claimed the No. 1 spot on U.S. News’ list of Best Jobs in America and it also tops the list of Best Health Care Jobs.

For international nurses looking to build a stable, well-paid, and meaningful career in the U.S., this is more than a headline it’s a roadmap. And at NurseContact, we’re helping nurses turn that roadmap into reality by connecting international nursing talent with U.S. healthcare employers through a streamlined, transparent hiring process.

Why Nurse Practitioner Is the No. 1 Job in the U.S.

U.S. News & World Report evaluates hundreds of careers using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and other sources. Jobs are scored across several key dimensions:

• Future prospects & job growth
• Wage potential
• Employment rate
• Job safety & stability
• Work–life balance

Nurse practitioner ranked at the top because it consistently performs strongly in all these categories especially demand, salary, and long-term stability.

Continuous Demand for Nurse Practitioners

The U.S. is facing an ongoing healthcare workforce shortage. Aging populations, chronic disease, and increased access to healthcare coverage have created a strong and sustained demand for advanced practice providers.

Nurse practitioners are uniquely positioned to fill critical gaps in:

• Primary care
• Family medicine
• Acute care
• Geriatrics
• Mental health and psychiatry
• Pediatrics and women’s health

For international nurses seeking U.S. jobs, that demand translates into:

• More opportunities in hospitals, clinics, and community settings
• Expanded roles and autonomy compared to many other countries
• Clear pathways for career advancement

Top Jobs in Health Care: Where Nursing Fits In

In the latest rankings, U.S. News highlighted the top 25 healthcare jobs. Among them, nursing and advanced practice roles dominate. Here’s how the top of the list looks:

1. Nurse Practitioner
2. Physician Assistant
3. Speech-Language Pathologist
4. Respiratory Therapist
5. Nurse Anesthetist
6. Occupational Therapist
7. Dental Hygienist
8. Psychiatrist
9. Ophthalmic Medical Technician
10. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
11. Anesthesiologist
12. Registered Nurse
13. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
14. Physical Therapist
15. Orthotist and Prosthetist
16. Veterinarian
17. Nurse Midwife
18. Hearing Aid Specialist
19. Pharmacy Technician
20. Optometrist
21. Radiologist
22. Pharmacist
23. Pediatrician
24. Dentist
25. Veterinary Technologist and Technician

For international nurses, several of these careers can be part of a long-term professional strategy:

• Start as a registered nurse (RN) in the U.S.
• Transition into an advanced practice role such as nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, or nurse midwife
• Explore specialized areas like psychiatric NP, acute care NP, or pediatric NP

Nursing isn’t just “on the list” it leads the list.

What This Means for International Nurses

If you’re a nurse outside the United States considering relocation, the data is clear: the U.S. healthcare system needs you and it especially needs advanced practice nurses.

Here’s why this is a pivotal time to explore U.S. nursing opportunities:

1. Strong Job Security

Nurse practitioner roles are projected to grow much faster than average. The shortage of primary care providers and the push toward more cost-effective care models mean NPs are no longer “support” staff they’re essential providers.

For international nurses, this demand increases the number of:

• Sponsoring employers
• Available locations (urban, suburban, and rural)
• Specialized positions that fit your clinical background

2. Competitive Salaries and Benefits

Nurse practitioners in the U.S. generally enjoy high earning potential and strong benefits packages that may include:

• Competitive base salary
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plans
• Paid time off and continuing education allowances

Even starting as a registered nurse, international candidates can move into roles that offer:

• Higher pay
• Greater autonomy
• Clinical leadership opportunities

3. Career Growth and Advanced Roles

For many international nurses, becoming a nurse practitioner represents a significant step up in scope and responsibility:

• Conducting assessments and exams
• Diagnosing and managing acute and chronic conditions
• Prescribing medications (varies by state)
• Leading patient education and care coordination

With the right academic pathway, U.S. employers, and licensing support, a foreign-trained nurse can move from bedside nursing to advanced practice over time.

How U.S. News Selected the Best Jobs

U.S. News didn’t choose nurse practitioner as the top job by opinion alone. Their rankings rely on a structured methodology emphasizing:

• Labor market data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Projected job openings and growth
• Median salary and wage distribution
• Unemployment rates
• Stress levels and work–life balance

Nurse practitioner scored exceptionally well in:

• Future prospects – strong projected growth across many states
• Wage potential – high median annual income
• Employment rate – low unemployment and steady hiring trends
• Job stability – healthcare needs are not going away

For global nurses, these metrics matter because they indicate not only current demand, but long-term viability of a career path in the U.S.

How NurseContact Helps International Nurses Reach These Careers

At NurseContact, we specialize in connecting international nurses with U.S. healthcare employers through a digital marketplace designed for clarity, speed, and support.

1. A Digital Marketplace Built for Nurses

Our platform allows you to:

• Create a professional profile that highlights your experience, skills, and specialties
• Get matched with vetted U.S. employers actively hiring international nurses
• Browse opportunities that match your qualifications, visa needs, and location preferences

Employers use NurseContact to find qualified international talent efficiently, which means your profile works for you even while you’re off shift.

2. A Streamlined Hiring Process

One of the biggest challenges for international nurses is the complexity of the U.S. hiring and immigration process. NurseContact simplifies this by:

• Coordinating communication between you and potential employers
• Helping align expectations around sponsorship, relocation, and start dates
• Supporting a smoother recruitment experience for both sides

By reducing friction in the hiring process, we help you move from interested candidate to employed nurse faster.

3. Pathways Toward Advanced Roles Like Nurse Practitioner

While NurseContact focuses on matching nurses with U.S. employers, we understand that many candidates have long-term goals, such as becoming a nurse practitioner. Through our platform and partners, you can:

• Find RN roles that align with your advanced practice aspirations
• Connect with employers and locations that are supportive of continued education
• Position yourself in high-demand settings where NP roles are growing

By starting in the right environment, international nurses can better navigate:

• Licensure (“NCLEX, state boards”)
• Educational progression (BSN, MSN, DNP)
• Specialty certifications

Why Now Is the Time for International Nurses to Consider the U.S.

With nurse practitioner ranked as the No. 1 job in America and registered nurse also appearing among the top healthcare careers, the message is clear: nursing is central to the future of U.S. healthcare.

For international nurses, the timing is favorable:

• Employers are actively exploring global recruitment to fill staffing gaps
• Visa pathways for qualified healthcare professionals remain a priority
• Digital platforms like NurseContact make it easier to connect directly with U.S. organizations

If you’re a nurse abroad thinking about working in the United States whether as an RN, or with the long-term goal of becoming an NP this is a moment of opportunity.

Take the Next Step with NurseContact

NurseContact was created to make the U.S. hiring journey simpler, clearer, and faster for international nurses.

By joining our digital marketplace, you can:

• Showcase your nursing experience to U.S. employers
• Explore roles in hospitals, clinics, long-term care, and more
• Start building the foundation for a future as a nurse practitioner or other advanced practice role

Ready to explore top nursing jobs in the U.S.?
Create your profile with NurseContact and take the first step toward a high-demand, high-impact nursing career in America.