Nurses to play a greater role in healthcare -- welcome to 21st centrury healthcare

[Elmore Furth]

There are only so many ways to control healthcare costs and provide care.

This one was predictable.

California is among 23 states that allow nurse practitioners to act as primary care providers without a doctor's supervision, a move aimed at stemming a shortage of physicians and reducing costs.

Now the nurses are poised to take on an even greater role as Los Angeles County and other health systems develop "medical home" models of care that expand the number of primary care providers, including nurses, to meet the requirements of national healthcare legislation, reduce unnecessary hospital visits and cut costs.

Los Angeles is one of six regions in California that have a shortage of primary care physicians, according to a California HealthCare Foundation report last year, part of a national shortage expected to reach 45,000 doctors by the end of the decade, according to the American Assn. of Medical Colleges.

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced degrees who can interpret lab results, prescribe medications and do many of the things doctors do — with the added bonus that they cost less to train and hire than doctors, and are easier to find. As of last month, there were about 16,000 nurse practitioners statewide, a 16% increase from five years ago, according to figures from the state nursing board.

At Los Angeles County hospitals and clinics, nurse practitioners are paid $88,000 to $128,000; primary care doctors earn $106,000 to $186,000.



Nurses to play a greater role in healthcare

[martin12]

1. bye see you later

that true dude thanx

[uppityperson]

2. There is a difference between a nurse and a nurse practitioner. Each of us can do different things

An MD isn't needed to do a strep test or interpret the results. However, I'd not have my gallbladder removed by a ARNP. Here in WA we've had ARNPs for ages, have worked with a couple and very much like them. I like them better than PA's, they have a different take on causes and inter-relationships.

[GoneOffShore]

3. Nurses - keeping docs from making mistakes that kill you. n/t

[Tumbulu]

4. It makes good sense to me

and I prefer going to one anyway.

[supernova]

5. NPs and PAs are great for primary care

I would be fine with them overseeing my primary day to day care with colds minor sores and cuts, the odd UTI and so on. Besides it's these first line folks that have the continuity on your continuing health care story. They know that you had a a cold last year and that you recently changed your meds so that rash.... Docs have so much on their minds they often don't your WHOLE story.