States with full practice authority for NPs have better population health

States with full practice authority for nurse practitioners enjoy better population health. This finding suggests full practice authority for NPs could address primary care shortages while improving overall health in the U.S., according to a study, published Dec. 3 in Nursing Outlook. The research examined data from the United Health Foundation’s 2019 and 2021 annual state health rankings and the U.S. state-legislated level of practice authority at the time of the health rankings. The authors found full practice authority was linked to improved patient access, improved primary provider to patient ratios, improved quality of care, improved health outcomes and overall state health rankings. (Nursing Outlook article, 12/3/24)