Nurse Practitioners Provide More Than 171,000 Solutions To The Health Care Crisis

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the health care provider shortage continues to top the national agenda, it is important that the public be aware of the 171,000 nurse practitioners (NPs) in the United States who provide high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive, personalized and patient-centered care to millions of people across the country. 

November 10 – 16, 2013 is National NP Week and the perfect opportunity to learn more about these exceptional health care providers and to remind lawmakers of the importance of removing outdated barriers to practice, allowing NPs to practice to the full extent of their education and experience.  NPs are expert clinicians with advanced education (most have master's and many have doctoral degrees) and extensive clinical preparation who provide primary, acute and specialty health care services.  In addition to providing a full range of services, NPs spend time working with their patients, guiding them to make educated health care decisions and healthy lifestyle choices. 

A recent survey conducted by The Mellman Group, a Washington, D.C.-based polling and consulting firm, showed widespread, national support among the general public for legislative and policy proposals to remove barriers to NP practice, thus giving patients greater access to NP care and services.  The results were supported by the November 2013 Health Affairs report from the nonprofit research organization, the RAND Corporation, which demonstrates that the greater use of NPs and other health care providers is a solution to the expected shortage of primary care physicians.

"The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) invites the public to visit our website at aanp.org to discover the many advantages of NP-delivered health care," said AANP CEO David Hebert, JD.  "NPs are informed, in touch and involved, making them the health care providers of choice for millions and a solution to the primary care crisis in America."

AANP is the largest professional membership organization for NPs of all specialties.  It represents the interests of the nation's 171,000 NPs, providing a unified networking platform and advocating for the role of NPs as expert clinicians.  The organization provides legislative leadership at the local, state and national levels, advancing health policy; promoting excellence in practice, education and research; and establishing standards that best serve NP patients and other health care consumers.  To locate an NP in your area, go to NPFinder.com.

SOURCE American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)