Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners

08/11/2025

At the PCNP 2025 Annual Educational Conference, we’re not just learning — we’re leading!

This year’s theme, "Delivering More Than Care: Nurse Practitioners Driving Outcomes and Innovation" celebrates the power of NP-led advocacy, education, and transformation.

Register for PCNP's 2025 Annual Conference today!
pacnp.org/page/2025_Annual_Conference

08/06/2025

New research from the Milbank Memorial Fund confirms a long-standing assumption: NPs are key to improving access to primary care in the most disadvantaged communities.

Despite this evidence, there are still practice barriers that restrict NP care. Required supervision of NPs does not improve quality of care or population health, and state policymakers should advance policies allowing NPs to best meet the needs of underserved communities.

The number of nurse practitioners (NPs) in the United States quadrupled from 91,000 in 2007 to 431,000 in 2024. But does this remarkable growth result in improved access to primary care where it is needed most?

08/04/2025

A new study shows full practice authority is associated with fewer hospital discharges for conditions that could be treated in outpatient settings.

The study discovered that full practice authority enables better triage of patients and more efficient use of inpatient resources, as well as reducing hospitalizations for conditions that can be treated in the community. This is because with full practice authority, healthier patients require less hospitalizations.

Read more about the study here:

07/28/2025

Exhibit at the 2025 PCNP Annual Conference!

Showcase your products, services, and innovations to over 300 nurse practitioners and healthcare leaders from across Pennsylvania. This is your chance to connect directly with decision-makers and influencers in the NP community!

Register now to secure your spot as an exhibitor at this year's conference: ➡️ bit.ly/PCNPExhibitor2025

07/24/2025

During last week's hearing on rural healthcare access, family nurse practitioner Justin Rohrback tells legislators why he's made the difficult decision to practice in Maryland instead of here in Pennsylvania.

Justin's experiences highlight the challenges that NPs face in Pennsylvania and how these restrictive barriers are driving away NPs to practice in other states.

PA's current restrictions don't help patients, they only create unnecessary red tape for NPs and decrease Pennsylvania patients' access to care.

Watch highlights from Justin's testimony at the PA Capitol below!

07/23/2025

In states that allow full practice authority, expanding access to care can significantly improve health outcomes.

A study found that full practice states ranked higher in health outcomes than states with more restricted practice laws.

Full practice laws are also linked to a 374% increase in NPs starting their own practices, making access to care easier for patients.

It's time to grant Pennsylvania NPs full practice authority to expand access to care and improve health outcomes statewide.

Mizzou researchers found that giving APRNs more freedom to do their jobs helps increase access to health care.

07/18/2025

PCNP Past-President Lorraine Bock shared testimony during the Center for Rural Pennsylvania's public hearing earlier this week.

Lorraine shared her own firsthand experiences about how Pennsylvania's restrictions create challenges for NPs and patients, and ultimately hurt patients trying to access quality health care.

Watch Lorraine's full testimony here!

07/16/2025

Today's public hearing on rural healthcare access is happening NOW!

PCNP members and NPs will be testifying during Panel 3: Expanded Utilization of Nurse Practitioners.

Tune in to watch the full hearing now, with Panel 3 scheduled to begin at 2:25pm!

Center for Rural Pennsylvania | Room 8E-A, East Wing | Watch Live

07/16/2025

Tune in starting at 1pm today to watch a LIVE hearing from the PA State Capitol!

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania is hosting a hearing today on access to healthcare in rural Pennsylvania, which will feature testimony from PCNP members and NPs on the importance of full practice authority.

Click the link below to watch the live hearing starting at 1pm today, and the NP panel discussion starting at 2:25pm! ⬇️⬇️⬇️

07/15/2025

Join fellow NPs from across Pennsylvania for PCNP's 22nd Annual Conference!

Engage in meaningful education, earn continuing education units, and connect with peers in a beautiful, resort-style setting.

📍 Location: Kalahari Convention Center, Pocono Manor, PA
📆 Dates: Nov. 13 -15, 2025

Register today! 👉 pacnp.org/page/2025_Annual_Conference

07/14/2025

A new study highlights shows how temporary expansions in NP autonomy during the COVID-19 pandemic helped alleviate provider shortages.

The study found 22 U.S. states gave temporary autonomy to NPs during the pandemic, with states facing higher caseloads more likely to expand their authority.

While many of these emergency measures have since expired, they underscore the value of granting NPs full practice authority, not just in emergencies, but as a permanent solution to provider shortages.

A new study from researchers at FAU highlights how temporary expansions in nurse practitioner (NP) autonomy during the COVID-19 pandemic helped alleviate shortages.

07/10/2025

Collaborating physician "matchmaking" services charge NPs upwards of $1000 per month to match them with collaborating physicians.

These services advertise the supervision gigs to physicians as a “side hustle” with low time commitment.

But calling the job a “side hustle” for physicians demonstrates how little the collaboration requirement really matters for patient safety and positive health outcomes.

Advanced practice nurses are required to have a contract with a physician to practice in NC, but they say it’s unnecessary and expensive.