States that allow nurse practitioners to practice without a doctor’s supervision have lower hospitalization rates and better health outcomes

See Nurse practitioners have nearly tripled in Illinois, where they can now practice independently. Some even use the title ‘doctor.’ Should you be worried? by Lisa Schencker of The Chicago Tribune. Excerpt:

"When advanced practice nurses are involved in emergency and critical care, patients have shorter stays, shorter waits for consultation or treatment, and improved mortality rates, satisfaction and cost savings, according to a 2017 review of 15 studies published in Human Resources for Health. A 2014 study in the journal Nursing Outlook found states that allow nurse practitioners to practice without a doctor’s supervision have lower hospitalization rates and better health outcomes.

Nurse practitioners are also often the most viable option for patients because of the shortage of doctors, Thomas said. As baby boomers age, the U.S. will have a shortage of primary care doctors, with anywhere from 21,100 to 55,200 too few by 2032, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges."