Virginia has a healthcare provider problem. Aging patient and provider populations, more patients with chronic health conditions and healthcare workforce shortages are leaving many Virginians without convenient — or any — access to primary and specialty providers. As a Lynchburg-based nurse practitioner (NP) who works with urology patients, I’m often surprised when patients drive nearly two hours for their appointments because there aren’t specialty providers closer to their homes.
The healthcare workforce shortage is a complex problem that requires multiple solutions, including expanding the NP workforce in the commonwealth. Having more NP providers helps increase access to primary care, mental health and other specialties, particularly in rural and underserved communities. It also helps decrease wait times for appointments.
November 8-14 is National Nurse Practitioner Week, which recognizes the valuable contributions of these advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, NPs are the fastest-growing primary care provider, with 84% of NPs certified in primary care. Approximately 75% of NPs see Medicaid and Medicare patients, and studies show NPs are more likely to practice in rural and underserved communities, which further increases access to patient care.
This is especially important given the results of a 2025 study by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University, which found 3.8 million Virginians lacked adequate access to primary care services. Nationwide, the Association of American Medical Colleges estimates the U.S. will have a shortage of up to 40,400 primary care physicians in the next 10 years.
NPs have master’s, and often doctorate, degrees and are nationally board-certified to diagnose and manage common and complex acute and chronic medical conditions. NP preparation and certification are focused on a specific population, like family, gerontology, women’s health, pediatric, or mental health. This ensures every NP’s expertise is tailored to the patients we serve.
The latest Virginia APRN workforce report shows NPs make up over 80% of all APRNs, which also includes certified nurse midwives and certified registered nurse anesthetists, and 87% of the APRNs serving Virginia’s rural areas. A recent nationwide study found the number of NPs younger than 40 grew 389% from 2010 to 2023 while the number of new NP graduates grew 97% during a similar time period. At the same time, the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis is projecting a shortage in 30 of 35 physician specialties by 2038, driven in part by the large number of physicians nearing retirement.
Virginia is making strides in solving its healthcare workforce issues. This fall, Gov. Spanberger announced nearly $1.3 million in scholarships for nearly 350 nursing students through the Virginia Nursing Workforce Center. The program also offers graduate-level scholarships for NP students, loan repayment programs and financial incentives to licensed clinicians who supervise nursing students during clinical training. Because NPs get their start as nurses, these programs are essential to training the next generation of providers.
I was born and raised in South Boston, Halifax County. After working as a lifeguard and emergency medical technician in high school, I knew I wanted a career in healthcare. Yet it wasn’t until I completed my undergraduate degree and shadowed multiple healthcare providers that I found my calling. I was drawn to the time NPs were able to spend with their patients and their holistic approach to care.
When I began working more than 10 years ago, there were approximately 205,000 NPs in the United States. Today that number has more than doubled to over 461,000 NPs, including nearly 25,000 in Virginia. Recent research shows NP job growth expanded at an average annual rate of 10% between 2016 and 2023 and is projected to grow 11% annually during the next four years.
For the last three years, NP has ranked as the Number 1 Best Job and Number 1 Best Healthcare Job by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Jobs rankings. Whether we’re working in large health systems, rural and free clinics, educational institutions or elsewhere, there are so many opportunities for NPs — and I’m excited for our future.
Morgan McDowell, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, WHNP-BC, is the president of the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners.
