What role was introduced for nurses as a result of Medicaid and Medicare?

The introduction of Medicare and Medicaid in the 1960s significantly transformed the landscape of healthcare in the United States, including the roles available to nurses. One of the prominent roles that emerged in response to these programs is that of the certified nurse practitioner (CNP).

Certified nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who hold specialized training and can provide a wide range of healthcare services, including diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, prescribing medications, and performing certain procedures. This expansion of the nursing role was necessitated by the need for more accessible healthcare services, as the introduction of Medicare and Medicaid led to an increased demand for healthcare providers to serve a growing number of patients, particularly in underserved areas.

The certified nurse practitioner role allows nurses to take on more responsibility in the patient care continuum, addressing the needs of patients within the frameworks of these federal programs. This was integral in facilitating care for patients who may otherwise have limited access to health services, especially the elderly and low-income populations.

In contrast, while roles such as certified nurse aides and emergency response nurses are essential, they do not directly connect to the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid in the way that the certified nurse practitioner role does. The clinical nurse specialist role, while also an advanced practice position