Increased autonomy for nurse practitioners as a solution to the physician shortage.

Abstract

In this paper, the author addresses decreased access to health care in underserved areas and the shortage of primary care physicians and how nurse practitioners (NPs) can fill this void. In order to make up for the lack of primary care doctors, NPs need to be politically involved in fighting for their autonomy; specifically, they must work toward removal of the statutory requirement that NPs practice in collaboration with a physician. NP associations need to increase membership, encourage members' political involvement, and move legislative agendas to bring about change. Although this paper focuses mainly on New York, it does highlight NP legislative agendas and how they were used to fight for autonomy in other states.