Your Partner in Health - The Nurse Practitioner

The role of the nurse practitioner (NP) is being showcased this week, as NPs across the country celebrate more than 50 years of practice during National NP Week. In the United States, this distinguished group of health care professionals number approximately 222,000 strong with an additional 20,000 NP students graduating each year.

NP practice offers a unique combination of nursing and health care service to patients. Focusing not only on diagnosing and managing acute and chronic illnesses, NPs integrate health promotion, disease prevention, counseling and patient education to help patients understand their complete health picture.

In a population that is aging, with baby boomers becoming seniors in growing numbers over the next ten years, having choices about health care providers will become even more important. National NP Week brings visibility to the role of the NP, helping consumers make wise choices when selecting their health care provider.

The UK College of Nursing has always been on the forefront of preparing NPs – our DNP program was the first of its kind in the nation. Students in the DNP program learn advanced competencies for complex practice, and research utilization for the improvement of clinical care delivery, patient outcomes and system management.

“Our faculty members are actively practicing in patient environments while also preparing the next generation of leaders by teaching evidence-based best practices to our DNP students,” said Sheila Melanders, PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC, FCCM, FAANP, professor, assistant dean of graduate faculty affairs, MSN and DNP program director. “I am always amazed at our faculty’s level of professionalism and contributions to the NP profession.”

To provide a space where students can train under NP faculty in a clinical setting, the UK College of Nursing recently opened its first faculty-run community health center in downtown Wilmore, Ky. – the Phyllis D. Corbitt Community Health Center.

In a recent report titled, “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health,” the Institute of Medicine challenged the next generation of nurses to practice to the full extent of their knowledge and training. The new clinic accomplishes this objective by allowing students to see the range of health services a nurse practitioner is able to deliver in a small community.

“I am proud to be a part of preparing the next generation of NP’s who will help solve the primary health care shortage facing the United States today,” said Janie Heath, PhD, APRN-BC, FAAN, Dean and Warwick Professor of Nursing. “Please take a moment this week and celebrate the NPs who are strengthening the health of all Americans.”  

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is the largest professional membership organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) of all specialties. It represents the interests of more than 222,000 NPs, including approximately 70,000 individual members and 200 organizations. AANP provides legislative leadership at the local, state and national levels, advancing health policy; promoting excellence in practice, education and research; and establishing standards that best serve NP patients and other health care consumers. As The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner®, AANP represents the interests of NPs as providers of high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive, patient-centered health care. For more information, visit aanp.org. To locate an NP in your community, go to npfinder.com.