The future looks bright for nurse practitioners and physician assistants. 
Survey research conducted by the American Medical Group Association (AMGA) shows that two-thirds of organizations increased their advanced practice clinician (APC) workforce within the past 12 months. That same percentage also expects to increase their APC workforce in the next 12 months. The survey results mirror a recent report from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, which included nurse practitioners and physician assistants on its list of fastest growing occupations. The BLS projects that between 2012 and 2022 nurse practitioner and physician assistant jobs will grow 31% and 38% respectively. There is a major influx of APCs entering the workforce in order to meet organizations’ demand. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) estimates there are more than 189,000 nurse practitioners practicing in the U.S—double the number practicing in 2003. The AANP also estimates 14,000 NPs completed their academic programs in 2011-2012 alone. The American Academy of Physician Assistants reports there are more than 95,000 physician assistants working in the U.S. A report published in Public Health Reports predicts that the physician assistant workforce will grow 72% between 2010 and 2015. The increased interest in APCs is largely a response to the physician shortage. The aging American population coupled with the millions of newly insured under the Affordable Care Act has created a demand for primary care services that the current physician workforce cannot support. Many organizations, state officials, and public health officials have suggested expanding the roles of nurse practitioners and physician assistants to support the physician workforce either as part of multidisciplinary teams or, in the case of nurse practitioners, as independent providers.
Survey research conducted by the American Medical Group Association (AMGA) shows that two-thirds of organizations increased their advanced practice clinician (APC) workforce within the past 12 months. That same percentage also expects to increase their APC workforce in the next 12 months. The survey results mirror a recent report from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, which included nurse practitioners and physician assistants on its list of fastest growing occupations. The BLS projects that between 2012 and 2022 nurse practitioner and physician assistant jobs will grow 31% and 38% respectively. There is a major influx of APCs entering the workforce in order to meet organizations’ demand. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) estimates there are more than 189,000 nurse practitioners practicing in the U.S—double the number practicing in 2003. The AANP also estimates 14,000 NPs completed their academic programs in 2011-2012 alone. The American Academy of Physician Assistants reports there are more than 95,000 physician assistants working in the U.S. A report published in Public Health Reports predicts that the physician assistant workforce will grow 72% between 2010 and 2015. The increased interest in APCs is largely a response to the physician shortage. The aging American population coupled with the millions of newly insured under the Affordable Care Act has created a demand for primary care services that the current physician workforce cannot support. Many organizations, state officials, and public health officials have suggested expanding the roles of nurse practitioners and physician assistants to support the physician workforce either as part of multidisciplinary teams or, in the case of nurse practitioners, as independent providers.
