Record number of NPs licensed

The number of nurse practitioners (NPs) rose 12% last year from roughly 290,000 to more than 325,000, according to data gathered by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. That total includes some NPs who came out of retirement to pitch in during the pandemic, but the increase mostly reflects unprecedented demand for NPs. The market for their services is growing, especially in retail settings such as pharmacy clinics, which are expanding their presence across the country. (Forbes article, 5/4/21)