| Learning Objective #1: Describe the current population of U.S. nurse practitioners | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Discuss the potential uses of a national nurse practitioner database for future research |
Objective
The objective was to describe the U. S. nurse practitioner (NP) workforce/population. NPs make up a large portion of advanced practice nurses. They provide primary and specialty care in varied settings. In addition to direct care, NPs perform other advanced practice roles including educator, administrator, and researcher.
Design/Population/Methodology
Since its creation in 1985, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) has maintained a national database of NPs. The database serves three major purposes: a) enumeration of the growing body of NPs, b) professional communication, and c) NP-related research. The comprehensive database includes essentially the “universe” of NPs recognized in the U.S. When updated in 2001, the database included approximately 82,000 NPs.
In late 2001 and early 2002, AANP surveyed all NPs with current addresses (n=71,000), using a mailed survey designed to obtain information on practice site, specialty, practice roles, provision of primary care, years as an NP, hours worked, and demographics. With 39,015 responses (56%), this survey is the largest review of NP practice to date. The 2001-2002 data were compared with data from earlier AANP surveys.
Findings
The average NP respondent is female, 47 years old, a family NP, and has practiced as a NP for 8.6 years. Although a growing number of NPs work in specialty, acute, and long-term care, the majority still practice in primary care. This presentation will provide details on the current NPs: their practice, and how NP practice has changed over the past 13 years.
Implications
This presentation has implications for educators, advanced practice nurses, administrators, researchers, and nurses interested in the NP role. Issues related to the development and maintenance of a national professional database will be addressed, as well as a discussion of the future use of this resource for research.
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