Your Partners in Health...Nurse Practitioners

Denise McNulty, DNP, MSN, ARNP

For Immediate Release

November 9, 2011 

Your Partners in Health...Nurse Practitioners

 With more than 3 million members, the nursing profession is the largest segment of the nation’s health care workforce. Nurses can play a vital role in helping realize the objectives set forth in the 2010 Affordable Care Act, legislation that represents the broadest health care overhaul since the 1965 creation of the Medicare and Medicaid programs (Institute of Medicine, 2010).

 The Institute of Medicine released a Report in October, 2010 entitled “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.” In this Report, one of the key messages is that “nurses should be full partners, with physicians and other health professionals, in redesigning health care in the United States.” (Institute of Medicine, 2010). Nurses and advanced practice nurses will play a crucial role in this effort (Conference Call with Michele Obama, www.WhiteHouse.gov, September, 2010).

 More than a quarter million nurses are advanced practice nurses. 148,000 Nurse Practitioners practice in the United States today. Nurse Practitioners have provided primary, acute and specialty healthcare to patients of all ages and walks of life for nearly half a century. In addition to diagnosing and managing acute and chronic illness, Nurse Practitioners place a strong emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 2010).

 The week of November 13-19 is the 2011 National Nurse Practitioner Week and a time to celebrate this distinguished group of healthcare providers. In a population that is aging, with baby boomers becoming seniors in growing numbers, having choices about healthcare providers will become even more important. During National Nurse Practitioner Week, let us reflect on the role of the Nurse Practitioner and how together we can make a difference in providing healthcare for the United States. Nurse Practitioners truly are everyday heroes.

 To all Nurse Practitioners in Collier County, in appreciation and recognition for the great work that you do each and every day, we thank you and acknowledge you during National Nurse Practitioner Week 2011!  

Nurse Practitioner Council of Collier County