In New York and other states across the U.S., a shortage of primary care physicians is resulting in a greater need for nurse practitioners. By 2032, The Association of American Medical Colleges predicts the shortage will climb to between 21,100 and 55,200 primary care physicians in the U.S., mostly as the result of medical students favoring other specialties. With an aging population and six in 10 adults having a chronic disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), this shortage is resulting in a growing need for nurse practitioners in order to meet patient demand.
Unlike registered nurses (RNs), nurse practitioners can diagnose and treat patients, order tests and prescribe medications. In addition to a Masters or Doctorate degree in nursing, they hold a certification, such as a Family Nurse Practitioner Certification, for example.
In the face of an anticipated shortage of primary care doctors, the good news for patients is that the number of licensed nurse practitioners is already rising. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners®, there were more than 270,000 licensed nurse practitioners in the U.S. as of January 2019, up from 248,000 in March of 2018, and an estimated 120,000 roughly a decade prior (2007). And, the number of new graduates entering the field is also growing, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, which also reports 87.1% of new graduates have primary care training.
While there are opportunities to work as a nurse practitioner in doctors’ offices and hospitals across the U.S., New York City’s population density, and high numbers of older adults, both result in increased opportunities for nurses. This can translate into added flexibility over when, where and how you work. For example, if Brooklyn is the most accessible to you and a doctor’s office setting is where you are most comfortable, there are plenty of nurse practitioner opportunities to pursue. The same goes for opportunities to work as a nurse practitioner in Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx. If you’re looking for nurse practitioner opportunities outside of the city itself, there is a need for nurse practitioners in Long Island, Westchester, Rockland and Putnam, too.
Nurse practitioners help to fill the primary care gap that many patients are facing. It is both a rewarding career and an opportunity to meet a critical need. Interested in working as a nurse practitioner in New York City? Contact Trechell or Kawana today on 646-779-7960.
