Nurse practitioner workforce expands, but primary care access gains remain unclear
A Milbank Memorial Fund analysis finds uneven training standards and incomplete workforce tracking for nurse practitioners. The article asks whether the rapid growth in NPs is actually improving access to primary care.
The number of nurse practitioners is rising, yet it is not yet clear whether that growth is translating into better availability of primary care. A Milbank Memorial Fund analysis points to inconsistent training expectations across the field and gaps in how the workforce is counted. The article raises the question of whether a larger NP workforce actually improves access to primary care.
If the growth in nurse practitioners does not clearly improve access to primary care, patients in areas with limited services may see fewer gains than expected. Nurse practitioners could face scrutiny over preparation, while health systems and policymakers may need stronger workforce data to judge whether expansion is meeting needs. The impact may depend on how training and tracking gaps are addressed.