Pediatric nurse practitioner workforce shortage threatens child health equity: Key contributors and recommendations

The pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) workforce shortage has begun to limit access to providers participating in Medicaid and/or the Children's Health Insurance Program, threatening child health equity in the United States. The following are key contributors: an emphasis on adult-focused NP programs and subsequent reduction in undergraduate pediatric content, common practice of student advisement to choose family NP programs, decreased PNP student enrollment leading to nonurban pediatric program closures, an acute shortage of PNP preceptors, and invisibility of the PNP workforce in national workforce data and strategic planning. We outline feasible action steps that nurses, NPs, educators, physicians, and policymakers can take to support PNP workforce growth to advance child health equity in the United States.