In another recent study, researchers at Harvard compared physician and non-physician abortion complication rates. The new data should be published shortly. The public has come to appreciate nurse practitioners as trusted professionals. As attitudes have changed, so too have the regulations governing their practice. There is no reason why laws and attitudes shouldn't change to permit NPs to perform first trimester abortions in every state.
Abortion is the most common elective surgical procedure in the country.
If women are to continue to have access to this crucial component of reproductive health care, then nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurse-midwives must be part of the solution.