UK College of Nursing Celebrates 50 Years of the Nurse Practitioner Profession

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 9, 2015) — Fifty years ago, the first nurse practitioners program was established at the University of Colorado. Today, more than 205,000 nurse practitioners are licensed to practice in United States.

The University of Kentucky College of Nursing joins the nation in marking 50 years of the nurse practitioner profession during National Nurse Practitioners Week, Nov. 8-14. The college offers a doctor of nursing practice program, which prepares nurse practitioners to design, implement, manage, evaluate and lead health care delivery systems at the highest level.

According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, National Nurse Practitioners Week celebrates the profession and reminds legislative leaders of the importance of removing barriers that limit the ability of nurse practitioners to practice to the full extent of their license. Nurse practitioners are expert clinicians with advanced education and clinical training to provide primary, acute and specialty health care services.

These professionals combine expertise diagnosing and treating disease with an emphasis on prevention and health management.  Nurse practitioners partner with patients to guide decisions and lifestyle choices, which is why an estimated 916 million Americans choose to visit a nurse practitioner every year.

“I know I can speak for the college and for the community when I say that our nurse practitioners are exceptional nurse leaders and we are grateful for their service,” Janie Heath, dean of the UK College of Nursing and Warwick Professor of Nursing, said. “This week is a reminder to celebrate the selflessness of these health care providers and recognize the care that they have given to so many patients.”

For more information about Nurse Practitioners week, visit aanp.org. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Elizabth Adams, elizabethadams@uky.edu