CHA News

New Report Examines Increasing Primary Care Capacity

For CNOs

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Based on findings from a survey and focus groups of educators, nurses, and employers, a newly released report offers evidence-based recommendations to help educational institutions prepare registered nurses for the future of primary care.

HealthImpact, an organization whose mission is to promote a well-prepared nursing workforce, initiated the report to explore the role California’s 430,000 registered nurses can play in solving the state’s severe primary care workforce shortage. It includes an emphasis on addressing the social determinants of health and caring for patients as part of interprofessional teams.

The report also includes recommendations in five key areas:

  • Transforming the practice environment to effectively utilize RNs
  • Supporting the primary care career development of RNs
  • Educating nursing students in primary care
  • Developing nursing program faculty with primary care expertise
  • Increasing opportunities for interprofessional education and development of collaborative team-based practice models

A supplemental report with details about the survey and respondents is also available.