The Journal for Nurse Practitioners
Volume 5, Issue 3 , Pages 169-175, March 2009

Rural-Urban Practice Patterns of Nurse Practitioners in Washington State

  • Louise Kaplan

      Affiliations

    • Louise Kaplan, PhD, ARNP, is an assistant professor and coordinates the family nurse practitioner program at Washington State University in Vancouver. She also maintains a clinical practice in the rural community of Elma, WA
    • ,
  • Marie-Annette Brown

      Affiliations

    • Marie-Annette Brown, PhD, ARNP, FAAN, is a professor at the University of Washington in Seattle, where she is the coordinator of the DNP committee and the Group Health Endowed Professor in Chronic Illness Care.
    • ,
  • C. Holly Andrilla

      Affiliations

    • C. Holly Andrilla, MS, is an investigator and biostatistician at WWAMI Center for Health Workforce Studies.
    • ,
  • L. Gary Hart

      Affiliations

    • L. Gary Hart, PhD, is a professor of public health and director of the Rural Health Office, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, at the University of Arizona.

Abstract 

Comparing characteristics and practice patterns of Washington nurse practitioners (NPs) in urban and rural settings furthers understanding of NP contributions to rural health care. Data were collected in 2006 using a statewide survey of Washington NPs. Rural NPs were more likely to be certified in family practice, provide primary care, and care for 12 more total patients per week than urban NPs. Additional research on rural NP practice nationwide could provide the foundation for developing innovative solutions for the recruitment and retention of NPs in rural areas to improve access to care.

Keywords:  nurse practitioners , nurse practitioner workforce , rural health , rural practice

 

 In compliance with national ethical guidelines, the authors report no relationships with business or industry that would pose a conflict of interest.

PII: S1555-4155(08)00665-X

doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2008.12.010

The Journal for Nurse Practitioners
Volume 5, Issue 3 , Pages 169-175, March 2009

Article Tools