Nurse Practitioners: The Heart of Healthcare

A Letter to the Editor – by Janice Dunlap of the United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, Augusta Chapter

November 10-16, 2024 is National Nurse Practitioner Week, a time to honor and recognize the Nurse Practitioners who are “The Heart of Healthcare.” This week allows an opportunity to reflect on the critical role nurse practitioners (NPs) have played and continue to play in shaping the future of healthcare in the United States, and particularly Georgia.

A Brief History of the NP Role

The inception of the NP role dates to the 1960s in response to a nationwide shortage of doctors. Both rural and urban areas were faced with severe limitations in access to healthcare services. In response, Dr. Loretta Ford (a nurse) and Dr. Henry Silver joined together and pioneered the first NP program at the University of Colorado in 1965, providing advanced clinical training for nurses. The graduates fulfilled a crucial gap in primary care by diagnosing illnesses, prescribing medications, and managing patient care autonomously in many states (Berg, 2020).

Since then, the NP profession has expanded exponentially. NPs now work in diverse specialties, ranging from acute and primary care to specialties such as pediatrics, geriatrics, and psychiatry. The educational framework, which includes advanced degrees and national certification, has galvanized the NP’s position as a cornerstone in the healthcare system. In recognition of the profession’s rapid growth, demand, and impact on healthcare, the nurse practitioner was named the #1 job in the U.S. in 2023 by U.S. News & World Report. This recognition highlights not only the high level of job satisfaction among NPs but also the growing reliance on NPs to meet the increasing demand for primary and specialty care amid our current national shortage of physicians, like in the 1960s (U.S. News, 2023). In addition, a 2019 national survey and data analysis report of 53,885 patients revealed the highest patient satisfaction/experience outcome scores with NPs over other healthcare providers (National Institute of Health, Library of Medicine).

The Present:

Nationwide, a key issue among the NP profession is the ability to practice autonomously and provide services to patients with full practice authority (FPA), based on national and state board certifications. The thrust behind this movement centers on the focus of high-quality, cost-effective access to healthcare for all. Currently, 27 states recognize FPA, with Utah being the most recent state to grant this privilege in March of 2023 (AANP, 2023a; AANP, 2023b).

NP’s Locally:

United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (UAPRN) Augusta chapter, endorsed by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, is proud to display our NP talent to the community for National NP week 2024. For two consecutive years, we have spotlighted our chapter on the Medical District billboard in downtown Augusta, GA. This year, the billboard honors the invaluable contributions of NPs and recognizes the 2024 AANP Georgia NP State Award for Excellence, Dr. Denotra Gaillard, DNP, FNP-C, who symbolizes the positive impact of APRNs to our region and beyond. Other planned activities are the signing of the NP Proclamation by the Mayor and a community-wide Diabetes Screening program.

As the nation celebrates its NPs, we are proud to represent the CSRA and work hard to continue to care for the many patients and their families entrusted to our care. The chapter will soon host the 10th Annual Healthy Grandparents Program Christmas Party, adopting an at-risk family from an underserved population to help make Christmas time special. Another initiative underway is the third Gala and NP Education Summit planned for the spring. We invite other NPs to join our chapter for professional development, networking, leadership opportunities, and health care advocacy.

Please visit our website or contact Janice Dunlap: jdunlap@usa.edu.