The contributions of research in the development of nurse practitioners in the United States

The nurse practitioner（NP） movement started 50 years ago in the United States. From the beginning there have been challenges and barriers to full practice authority. Changes in health care needs of the population and demographics of health care providers and particularly physicians in primary care, has created opportunities for NPs to expand their role as advanced practice nurses to increase access to care for many underserved populations, to improve patient outcomes, and to demonstrate that NPs provide high quality of care in an efficient manner. Research studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of NP managed care and data from these studies has historically helped to move the NP movement forward and effect changes in education, policy, legislation, and ultimately practice. This paper provides a brief overview of past and present research related to the NP role with recommendations from national NP groups for future priority areas for research.