Are nurse practitioners still on demand?

Published

My experience with healthcare has been with the geriatrics at long-term care facilities for about 5 years now and I have yet to see a nurse practitioner as a provider for a patient. I have only been to an NP once in my life. Do you think we still have demand for nurse practitioners? I was wondering if this will be an option for me in the future. I would appreciate your response.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I heard that NPs who have general practice and not have a particular specialized area are usually in higher demand.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

In the facility I work at, there is one NP that works for the facility, and two work with a Medicare health plan; in total, 3. There are plenty of facilities that are utilizing NPs, at least in my area, it has been the norm to have at least 1 on staff at a facility, or one or two who have NPs at their practice that covers patients.

I have seen NPs at my Dr's appointment, when I had to visit the ER, my specialists office (Neurologist, GYN), my nursing instructor is a NP on a heart transplant team; and they are in need of NPs in her specialty and all over as her hospital is moving for NPs to be hospitalists; I've worked with NPs in the PICU.

There are opportunities in becoming an NP; I will say that I would research your area; you will find that a percentage of nurses are going into the direction of the NP to run from the nursing glut; that risks producing a NP "glut"....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pain, critical care, administration, med.

I am a NP in a subacute/nursing home.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in psychiatric nursing.

My facility uses NPs. And for my personal healthcare, I prefer to see an NP over a MD, because NPs actually listen to you!

I am currently in a post master's Adult/gero NP program myself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I do have to research more in my area or where I want to end up working. I agree that NPs actually listen as they've been nurses and have been in direct patient care themselves. I think it will be a great investment to get the degree. Thank you for your responses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion