THE annual National Nurse Practitioner Week, celebrated Nov. 10-16, honors the dedication and expertise of nurse practitioners in the United States, including the U.S. territories.
The week will officially kick off with a Proclamation Signing Ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, at 3 p.m. in the governor’s conference room. We invite everyone to attend this meaningful event as we honor nurse practitioners, the essential healthcare providers at the heart of patient care.
The NP profession has a long and impactful history, originating in 1965 when Drs. Loretta Ford and Henry Silver developed the first nurse practitioner program. Today, nearly 60 years later, more than 385,000 licensed NPs are practicing nationwide, with numbers expected to increase by 46% by 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This growth is timely and essential, as almost 100 million Americans live in areas facing a shortage of primary care providers.
Nurse practitioners are at the forefront of addressing this gap, providing high-quality health care across various specialties and practice settings. Legislation supporting Full Practice Authority enables NPs to deliver care directly to patients, further improving accessibility, especially in underserved areas. These highly skilled professionals conduct over 1 billion patient visits annually, serving in settings from clinics to emergency rooms and private practices.
During this year’s NP Week, we recognize the positive impact NPs have in communities, meeting patient needs wherever they arise. Join us in celebrating the vital contributions of nurse practitioners in ensuring accessible, compassionate, and expert health care for all.
For more information, contact Arley G. Long, MSN, FNP, WHNP at (670) 783-2468 or email Arleylong3@gmail.com/.
