With 89 percent of the nurse practitioner (NP) population prepared in primary care and more than 75 percent of actively practicing NPs providing primary care, NPs are a vital part of the U.S. primary care workforce. Evidence supports the high quality and cost effectiveness of NP care and the continued interest of the discipline to contribute to solving the primary care dilemma.

Ninety percent of the 192,000 NPs credentialed to practice in the U.S. are actively practicing. Fulfilling the potential of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires transformation of primary care delivery within the U.S. NPs are a vital element of the primary care workforce, with a major role in making high-quality, patient-centered health care available to the broadest possible range of consumers. In fact, NPs make up the most rapidly growing component of the primary care workforce. As licensed, independent providers, with a blend of medical and nursing preparation, NPs are uniquely qualified to provide the patient-centered care that is central to meeting the existing and future primary care needs of our nation.