This article and following blog sparked a heated debate amoug providers.
The Nurse Practitioner Will See You Now
By Laura A. Stokowski, RN, MS
Will patients soon hear these words more often? As the shortage of primary care physicians in the United States becomes increasingly dire, some people believe that that qualified healthcare professionals should be uniformly permitted to function at their greatest potential as healthcare providers.[1]
Much has been said lately about "unleashing the potential" of nurse practitioners (NPs).[2,3] Nursing leaders decry the invisibility of NPs in the primary care landscape. Often working quietly in rural or underserved settings, NPs are not permitted to lead patient-centered medical homes, their names are not found on preferred provider lists, and they cannot secure funding for much-needed primary care programs. In many states, NPs are restricted in their abilities to practice under their own licenses or write prescriptions.
Why has such a huge rift developed between the educational preparation of NPs and their ability to practice after they graduate? And can anything be done about it?
In a recent address at a seminar sponsored by Health Affairs, Joanne M. Pohl, PhD, ANP-BC, Professor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, and NP at the University of Michigan School of Nursing's Nurse Managed Health Centers, spoke about the need for unfettered practice by our nation's 150,000 NPs.[2]
The basic facts are:
The healthcare reform bill is expected to increase access to primary care services for 32 million more Americans;
We currently (and for the foreseeable future) have a shortage of primary care providers;
Two thirds of practicing NPs work in primary care and 20% work in rural areas, the most difficult settings to staff; and
Each year, 8000 new NPs graduate, and 7000 of these new graduates are prepared as primary care NPs.[2]
In contrast, new graduate physicians are avoiding primary care in droves. In a recent survey, only 7% of fourth-year medical students planned careers in adult primary care.[4] Medical students are reluctant to specialize in primary care because of the prospect of higher workloads and lower incomes.[4] The primary care workforce is clearly in jeopardy.
So, why aren't stakeholders welcoming NPs into the primary care workforce with open arms? Dr. Pohl explained the main barriers that currently block NPs from practicing to their full potential.
The Nurse Practitioner Will See You Now
By Laura A. Stokowski, RN, MS
Will patients soon hear these words more often? As the shortage of primary care physicians in the United States becomes increasingly dire, some people believe that that qualified healthcare professionals should be uniformly permitted to function at their greatest potential as healthcare providers.[1]
Much has been said lately about "unleashing the potential" of nurse practitioners (NPs).[2,3] Nursing leaders decry the invisibility of NPs in the primary care landscape. Often working quietly in rural or underserved settings, NPs are not permitted to lead patient-centered medical homes, their names are not found on preferred provider lists, and they cannot secure funding for much-needed primary care programs. In many states, NPs are restricted in their abilities to practice under their own licenses or write prescriptions.
Why has such a huge rift developed between the educational preparation of NPs and their ability to practice after they graduate? And can anything be done about it?
In a recent address at a seminar sponsored by Health Affairs, Joanne M. Pohl, PhD, ANP-BC, Professor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, and NP at the University of Michigan School of Nursing's Nurse Managed Health Centers, spoke about the need for unfettered practice by our nation's 150,000 NPs.[2]
The basic facts are:
The healthcare reform bill is expected to increase access to primary care services for 32 million more Americans;
We currently (and for the foreseeable future) have a shortage of primary care providers;
Two thirds of practicing NPs work in primary care and 20% work in rural areas, the most difficult settings to staff; and
Each year, 8000 new NPs graduate, and 7000 of these new graduates are prepared as primary care NPs.[2]
In contrast, new graduate physicians are avoiding primary care in droves. In a recent survey, only 7% of fourth-year medical students planned careers in adult primary care.[4] Medical students are reluctant to specialize in primary care because of the prospect of higher workloads and lower incomes.[4] The primary care workforce is clearly in jeopardy.
So, why aren't stakeholders welcoming NPs into the primary care workforce with open arms? Dr. Pohl explained the main barriers that currently block NPs from practicing to their full potential.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/723986_printhttp://boards.medscape.com/forums?128@803.fqA0aQ5GtXB@.2a001bb7!comment=1