November 15, 2023- The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) released new data on the eve of National Nurse Practitioner (NP) Week affirming the robust growth of the NP role. The ranks of NPs grew by 8.5%, from 355,000 in 2022, to 385,000 licensed NPs in 2023. From Nov. 12 to 18, AANP joins with patients, health care providers and local communities in celebrating this growth and the countless contributions made by NPs to strengthen the health care system.
In every state, NPs assess patients, order and interpret tests, make diagnoses and provide treatment — including prescribing medications. NPs can be found in clinics, hospitals, emergency rooms, urgent care centers, nursing homes and private practices. As clinicians who blend clinical expertise with an added emphasis on health management, NPs bring a comprehensive perspective to health care and are the health care provider of choice for millions of patients in more than 1 billion health visits each year.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, NPs are the fastest-growing jobs in the country, and the profession is projected to grow 45% by 2032.