Nurse practitioners and primary care for older adults

Abstract

Nurse practitioners (NPs) provide many different types of healthcare services to older adults in a variety of settings. Depending on the state, nurse practitioners may work independently, but most often collaborate as a member of the interprofessional team. Studies of NP practice have consistently shown that NPs provide high-quality care, and over the past decade, there have been a number of innovative delivery models in which nurse practitioners have played an important role. This chapter outlines the various NP roles within these delivery models that occur in both inpatient and outpatient settings.