In the past, nurses viewed temporary downturns in the labor market as a chance to return to school for graduate education. By the time they graduated, the market would brighten, and they would be positioned to take advantage of fresh opportunities as educators, administrators, and advanced clinicians. But frustrated by the recent changes in healthcare, many nurses today struggle to decide whether graduate education is the key to a more challenging and secure future.
Seasoned educators offer reassurance.
NP programs currently generate the greatest interest. NPs act as primary care providers addressing acute, chronic, and preventive healthcare needs within an area of clinical specialization. By 1992, there were approximately 30,000 nationally certified or state-recognized NPs. Many nurses long for the NPs seeming independence. In 49 states, NPs have authority to prescribe medication, and in 14 states, prescriptive authority is independent of physician involvement.