Submitted
Editor’s note: The following was submitted to The Reporter by the Coalition of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of Indiana (CAPNI).
As Indiana faces significant health care challenges, including primary care shortages, rural hospital closures, maternal health deserts, and rising mental health needs, one proven solution stands ready: nurse practitioners (NPs).
During National Nurse Practitioner Week, Nov. 9 to 15, 2025, we celebrate the more than 9,400 NPs practicing in Indiana who are making a meaningful difference in the lives of Hoosiers every day.
Sixty years after the first nurse practitioner program launched in 1965, the profession has grown to more than 431,000 licensed NPs nationwide. Each year, NPs deliver nearly 1 billion patient visits across the country, providing compassionate, personalized, and high-quality care in hospitals, private practices, urgent care centers, long-term care facilities, and community clinics.
In Indiana, the need for NPs has never been more urgent. The state is home to 138 federally designated primary care shortage areas, affecting more than 2.4 million Hoosiers. Additionally, 33 counties are classified as maternal care deserts, meaning many women have little or no access to prenatal and obstetric care. A severe shortage of mental health providers leaves more than 6.6 million residents living in underserved areas, while ongoing rural hospital closures continue to limit access to care in already vulnerable communities.
“Indiana’s nurse practitioners are a critical part of the solution,” said Kristy Umana, MSN, FNP-C, President of CAPNI. “Whether it’s treating chronic conditions, delivering behavioral health care, or filling vital gaps in maternal health, NPs bring clinical excellence and patient-centered care to communities that need it most.”
NPs are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who hold Master’s or Doctoral degrees and complete rigorous clinical training. They are board-certified and nationally recognized as trusted providers who diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and lead care coordination. In Indiana, many serve in rural or medically underserved areas where access to physicians is limited; they are often the only provider available to care for patients.
Research consistently shows that NPs provide care that is safe, cost-effective, and results in outcomes comparable to, or better than, that of physicians. States that have adopted Full Practice Authority (FPA) for NPs have seen increased access to care, lower health care costs, and improved patient satisfaction – without compromising quality.
Unfortunately, Indiana requires NPs to maintain a practice agreement with a physician to prescribe medication, limiting their ability to fully address care shortages across the state. The majority of states in the country, along the Veterans Affairs Health System, do not place this same restrictive burden upon their NPs. Removing this requirement would greatly expand access to primary, mental, and maternal health care, particularly in rural areas, while reducing strain on the health care system overall.
This year’s NP Week theme is “NPs: Trusted Voices, Proven Care.” It reflects both the clinical strength and deep relationships NPs build with patients. They are consistently rated among the most trusted health care professionals, thanks to their ability to listen, explain, and care with empathy and expertise. For this reason, many Hoosiers specifically seek care provided by NPs.
Policy in Indiana should reflect this patient-choice and allow NPs to provide care without unnecessary barriers.