The baby boomer generation is aging, and with that comes an increase in chronic health conditions. At the same time, there is a shortage of primary care physicians. These two factors have led to a growing demand for nurse practitioners (NPs).
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced education and training. They are able to provide many of the same services as a primary care physician, including diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medication, and ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests.
The demand for nurse practitioners is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. This is good news for nurses looking for a rewarding career with good job security. If you love to extract the big picture, a UIndy online MSN-AGNP program will give you the tools you need for an exciting career. The program is designed for APRNs who wish to care for patients across their lifespans. It focuses on adult-gerontology primary care and provides the necessary knowledge and skills to manage the care of patients in this population.
So, why is the demand for Nursing practitioners growing?
Well, there is a shortage of primary care physicians. About one-third of all primary care providers are expected to retire over the next ten years, so there will be a serious shortage of physicians who can provide consistent primary care.
An influx of people into the Medicare system will also place more demand on primary care physicians. The average age of Americans is rising, meaning that millions of baby boomers will be approaching retirement and transitioning into Medicare over the next decade. Healthcare professionals will therefore need special in-house caregiving skills to care for the aging populations facing various health issues such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Here are a few more reasons in more detail:
Change in demographics
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 76 million Americans are considered part of the “baby boomer” generation. This group is aging, and many will be transitioning into Medicare. Baby boomers have been the dominant force in American society since the 1960s. Since boomers are entering retirement, there will likely be greater demand for healthcare professionals who can provide comprehensive primary care services.
Physician shortage
About 40% of all primary care physicians are expected to retire over the next ten years. In addition to the growing demand for primary care physicians, there is a shortage of physicians in practice. This means that the primary care physician workforce will be decreasing soon.
The shortage of healthcare professionals could have a big impact on the number of nurse practitioners in the job market in the coming years. As more and more physicians retire, an influx of new nurse practitioners will be needed to replace them and fill in gaps in healthcare systems.
Retail clinic growth
Healthcare costs are on the rise, leading employers to look for ways to lower their employees’ healthcare expenses. One way they are doing this is by opening retail clinics in their workplaces, which provide diagnostic and treatment services to their employees at a lower cost than a doctor’s office visit. Nurses play a key role in these retail clinics because they can perform simple treatments such as administering vaccines and treating minor lacerations.
Why consider training as a nurse practitioner?
There are many reasons why nurses are turning to nurse practitioner roles to continue their careers:
- Autonomy and better work-life balance: Nurse practitioners have more autonomy in their clinical practices. This means they can set their own hours, treat patients without restrictions, and make treatment decisions without consulting their supervisor. Nurse practitioners also enjoy higher salaries than the average physician, which allows them to work from home or on-call shifts.
- Career growth: Many nurse practitioners go on to earn a Ph.D. or M.D., which opens doors to many high-paying leadership positions in health care. This can give nurses opportunities for growth and advancement that are not available in other nursing roles.
- Diverse options for RNs and other graduates: Nurse practitioner roles are highly varied. Some nurse practitioners work in small offices and treat patients over the phone, while others work in large clinics and hospitals. Other nurse practitioners work in team settings and collaborate with a physician.
- More secure jobs: Leading healthcare systems are offering new nurse practitioner roles as part of their integrated healthcare delivery systems. These roles give nurses the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of their patients. Nurse practitioners are given additional responsibility, which can lead to faster career advancement.
Nurse practitioners are in demand for their ability to provide a wide range of primary care services. The demand for nurse practitioners will intensify as the baby boomer generation ages and more people transition into Medicare. The University of Indianapolis’ MSN-AGNP program will provide a solid education in general nursing and critical care, allowing you to prepare for an exciting career as a nurse practitioner.