Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners

01/21/2026

For the 3rd year in a row, nurse practitioners rank as the best overall job nationwide!

The NP profession was also ranked the No. 1 STEM job and healthcare job in 2026.

This shows the critical role nurse practitioners play in the nation's economy and healthcare landscape, as well as the high levels of patient trust and demand for the high-quality care NPs provide.

/PRNewswire/ -- The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) proudly announces that the nurse practitioner (NP) profession has once again been...

01/08/2026

Research shows that NPs are more likely to practice in primary care HPSAs in states that don't require collaborative practice agreements.

But Pennsylvania is one of just 12 states that still requires NPs to maintain collaborative agreements with physicians in order to practice and see patients.

Patients need NPs and nurses, not administrative restrictions that block access to care.

Collaborative practice agreements don’t protect patients. By giving physicians control over whether NPs can practice, these agreements only serve to drive up costs, limit competition, and worsen North Carolina’s health care shortage.

01/06/2026

Nurses and patient advocates are pushing back against the new student loan caps scheduled to take effect in July.

The effects of these new limits will reach nurses, patients, and whole communities, while also limiting the education pipeline of new nurses.

Patients in Pennsylvania and nationwide need greater access to nurses and NPs now more than ever, while physician and healthcare worker shortages are already limiting access to care across the U.S.

Revised definition of 'professional' would affect all RNs

01/02/2026

Happy New Year from PCNP!

We recognize the hard work, dedication, and compassion that NPs bring to patient care and advocacy each and every day – all throughout 2025 and into the new year.

We wish our PCNP members, their families, and NPs everywhere have a very happy and healthy 2026!

12/18/2025

Nursing is consistently ranked the most trusted profession. But under H.R. 1, nursing will no longer be considered a “professional degree."

Removing nursing from the professional degree designation removes access to higher federal loan limits, preventing qualified nurses from pursuing additional educational opportunities that expand access to care.

Urge members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation to reverse this declassification here: bit.ly/ClassifyNursing

12/15/2025

Save the date and register early for PCNP's Lobby Day, happening June 1, 2026 in Harrisburg!

Lobby Day is a unique opportunity to connect directly with state legislators, share your experiences, and help shape the future of health policy in PA.

Whether you are new to advocacy or a seasoned advocate, your voice and participation makes a difference. Participants will receive advocacy preparation and resources.

Early registration is encouraged! ➡️ pacnp.org/2026LobbyDay

12/12/2025

NPs are vitally needed to fill healthcare gaps, but a provision in H.R. 1 will make it more difficult for nurses to pursue advanced degrees.

Removing nursing degrees from professional degree designation removes access to higher federal loan limits, preventing qualified nurses from pursuing additional educational opportunities.

Making it unaffordable for nurses to advance their careers will also disproportionately affect rural and underserved communities that rely on NPs amid physician shortages.

Zoe Clarke became a hospital registered nurse two and a half years ago, following in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother. Clarke, an ICU nurse in Asheville, North Carolina, wants to get her master’s degree to become a nurse practitioner or a certified registered nurse anesthetist — occup...

12/02/2025

Opponents of full practice authority claim that giving nurses more independence would increase risk to patients. But decades of studies simply don't support that assertion.

Instead, studies prove that allowing NPs to work independently to the full extent of their training increases access to primary care and reduces wait times, without sacrificing patient outcomes.

Most states already grant NPs full practice authority because it's proven to be safe, effective, and best for patients.

There’s nothing radical about allowing nurse practitioners to operate independently. Most states already do. North Carolina should join them.

11/25/2025

Nationwide, 92% of all rural counties are considered health professional shortage areas, and it is predicted that by 2037, only 68% of demand for rural primary care physicians will be met.

But nurse practitioners can help fill these rural physician shortages.

NPs can expand the capacity of primary care practices and mitigate the impacts of shortages. And while the number of physicians in rural areas is shrinking, the supply of NPs in rural areas will continue to exceed demand over time.

Rural Americans face significant barriers to accessing adequate primary care; tailored federal and state programs can help address some of these challenges.

11/18/2025

🎉 Congratulations to PCNP member Lynn Heard, winner of our petition raffle! 🎉

All members who signed the petition during our Annual Conference were entered into the raffle, and we thank everyone who signed the petition urging legislators to move SB25 and HB739.

If you haven't signed the petition yet, it's not too late to take action!

Click here to add your signature to the petition, and share to encourage your own networks to sign! ➡️ bit.ly/SB25-HB739

11/18/2025

Thank you to all the PCNP members, NPs, students, speakers, exhibitors, and all who attended PCNP's 22nd Annual Conference!

We had a blast sharing the latest updates, announcing new leadership, meeting exhibitors, attending inspiring presentations and educational sessions, and socializing at the PAC event.

But most of all, we enjoyed seeing all of our amazing PCNP members from across Pennsylvania come together for 3 days of learning, growing, and networking!

11/14/2025

Happy NP Week to all the nurse practitioners attending PCNP's Annual Educational Conference!

Today is a jam-packed day at the conference, with morning and afternoon educational sessions, engaging presentations, networking opportunities, a variety of exhibitors, and the PAC Social Event.

What's your favorite moment of the conference so far? Let us know in the comments below!