Medscape 2026 Nurse Practitioner Happiness Index Report: Behind Their Smiles Jennifer Nelson

https://www.medscape.com/p11/medscape-2026-nurse-practitioner-happiness-index-report-2026a100127v Nursing is often defined by its demands: long shifts, heavy patient loads, and the emotional weight of caring for others. But behind the negatives of nursing, many nurse practitioners (NPs) report a fuller picture: real happiness, strong relationships, and a growing sense of optimism about where their lives are headed. Medscape surveyed NPs on their overall well-being, work-life balance, and personal relationships to find out how they're really doing — on and off the clock.