Research: full NP scope leads to greater workforce diversity
Date postedFebruary 14, 2023
Research from West Virginia University shows that states with full practice authority for nurse practitioners tend to have greater workforce diversity reflective of the demographic of patient populations. "While nurse practitioners from marginalized communities are generally underrepresented in the workforce, the researchers found that states with full practice authority had higher concentrations of NPs that align with the demographic of their communities." The research found that, in states with full NP practice authority, Black NPs provided care to 2.8% more Black Medicare beneficiaries than in states without full practice authority, reducing health care access disparities.