They are the most-trusted profession in America (and with good reason). They are critical to patient outcomes (especially in primary care). Could the growing army of nurse practitioners be an answer to the doctor shortage? The data say yes but — big surprise — doctors’ associations say no.
Uncovered California: What’s Holding Back Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse practitioners, or NPs, are registered nurses with “advanced clinical training at the master’s and doctoral levels, providingprimary, acute and specialty health care services,” according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Most NPs (55 percent) specialize in family care and in adult gerontology (nearly 21 percent). A significant number provide acute, pediatric, neonatal, women’s and psychiatric health care services.
According to a 2014 study published in Nursing Outlook, nurse practitioners are significantly more likely than primary care physicians to “practice in urban and rural areas, provide care in a wider range of community settings and treat Medicaid recipients and other vulnerable populations.”
“Uncovered California”is a three-part series of stories and videos examining how the Golden State is trying to fill holes in its health care coverage. Sasha Abramsky’s articles look at working people who are falling through coverage cracks, and at what’s being done to help community college students gain access to mental health services. Debra Varnado reports on efforts to expand the role of nurse practitioners to increase medical services for low-income Californians.
California Nurse Practitioners Lose Battle For Independent Practice, Again
Expanding the medical role of nurse practitioners has long been opposed by doctors – some say for economic reasons. Proponents of the idea say it can help address the shortage of primary care doctors in the state by making treatment more accessible — and more affordable.
Under current state law, nurse practitioners can independently provide basic primary care, such as assessing a patient’s health status or diagnosing ailments. But they must follow physician-approved guidelines to prescribe medication, order tests or otherwise manage patients.
Nurse practitioners are among the most highly trained nursing professionals and must have at least a master’s degree. Registered nurses, are only required to hold an associate’s degree at minimum, and they don’t diagnose or prescribe on their own. Nurse practitioners say they provide quality care that’s comparable to that provided by physicians. They want California lawmakers to allow them to practice without the supervision of a doctor.
HENRY KOTULA 