In which settings has the growth of nurse practitioners primarily focused?

The growth of nurse practitioners has primarily focused on ambulatory and outpatient care settings due to a number of key factors. Ambulatory care encompasses a wide range of healthcare services that do not require hospital admission, allowing nurse practitioners to provide essential primary and preventive care services in various environments, such as clinics, community health centers, and private practices. This shift aligns with broader healthcare trends emphasizing accessibility, patient-centered care, and the need for comprehensive management of chronic conditions.

By establishing themselves in these settings, nurse practitioners can effectively address the increasing demand for healthcare services from a growing and aging population, particularly as the focus moves towards preventive care and the management of chronic diseases. This environment also allows nurse practitioners to utilize their full range of skills, including diagnosis, treatment planning, and health education, in a way that benefits patients directly and enhances care continuity.

While other settings such as emergency and critical care, inpatient hospitals, and long-term care facilities are significant components of healthcare, the most marked growth and ongoing trends in nurse practitioner roles have been recognized in the outpatient and ambulatory care arenas, reflecting the evolving landscape of how healthcare services are delivered and accessed.