AARP re-affirms support for NPs after strong NP advocacy
In March 2019, the AARP Bulletin ran a piece with advice from a variety of “pros.” The piece relied on several physicians, but no nurses. It also disrespected nurse practitioners. NP Daniel Geller objected. AARP removed the original piece and posted a message of support for NP practice in its May 2019 edition.
AARP Magazine
bulletin@aarp.org
3/15/2019
To the Editors:
Nearly 3 million registered nurses make up the largest number of healthcare professionals in our nation (2). While only 14.5% of physicians are entering a primary care residency, 87% of nurse practitioners are being prepared in primary care programs (3).

Sincerely,
Daniel Geller, Nurse Practitioner
Atlanta, GA
AARP’s response
“Editor’s Note An expert’s comment in our March story, “What They Know That You Don’t” regarding nurse practitioners conflicts with AARP’s stance. AARP believes, based on years of evidence, that nurse practitioners provide high-quality primary care to consumers. AARP is working to modernize state laws so that nurse practitioners and other advanced-practice nurses can practice to the full extent of their training. To date, 24 states have modernized their scope-of-practice laws. AARP believes these changes improve access to health care and give more choices to consumers.”
Citations for Daniel Geller’s letter
(1) Kurtzman, E.T., & Barnow, B.S. (2017). A comparison of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and primary care physicians’ patterns of practice and quality of care in health centers. Medical Care, 55(6). doi:10.1097/MLR.0000000000000689
(2) Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2018). Occupational employment statistics. Retrieved from: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291141.htm
(3) American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2017). Nurse practitioners. Retrieved from: https://www.aanp.org/images/about-nps/npgraphic.pdf