Nurse practitioners (NPs) play an important role in healthcare, providing high-quality care in settings ranging from private practices to retail clinics. To support NPs in their practice, several professional organizations advocate for the profession and offer education, networking, research, and other resources. When looking at membership size, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) stands out as the largest organization representing NPs in the United States.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners
With over 123,000 members as of 2022, AANP is the largest full-service national membership organization for nurse practitioners of all specialties. AANP was founded in 1985 and represents the interests of NPs across the country, promoting their role in providing high-quality, cost-effective healthcare.
Some key facts about AANP:
- Headquarters located in Austin, Texas
- Mission is to empower all NPs to provide high-quality, affordable, accessible, equitable, patient-centered health care
- Vision is that NPs are the healthcare providers of choice
- Over 123,000 members as of 2022
- Offer membership for NPs, NP students, and associates (other healthcare professionals)
- Led by an elected board of directors and chair
- CEO is April Kapu, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, FAANP
Key Member Benefits
By joining AANP, NPs gain access to many benefits and resources to support their career and practice. Some of the key member benefits include:
- Advocacy and policy efforts – AANP advocates for state and federal policies that support NP practice, reimbursement, and patients’ access to NP-provided care. They provide resources to help members advocate locally as well.
- Conferences and events – Educational conferences offer NP-specific clinical and professional education. The largest is the AANP National Conference held each summer.
- Journal and publications – Members can access the Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners for the latest peer-reviewed nursing research and perspectives. Other publications explore clinical and practice issues.
- Practice resources – Tools, trainings, and guides covering clinical, professional, and business topics to help support high-quality practice.
- Member community – Connect with other NPs through online groups and network locally through state chapters.
- Continuing education – AANP provides accredited CE activities through online learning, workshops, and conferences.
- Discounts and savings – Members can save on insurance, credit cards, shipping, travel, and other business and personal services from partner organizations.
Advocacy and Policy Efforts
One of the most important activities AANP engages in is advocating for NPs at the state and national levels. This involves efforts to:
- Pursue federal legislation supporting Medicare reimbursement, practice authority, and access to care provided by NPs.
- Eliminate restrictive and outdated state laws limiting NP practice and prescribing.
- Secure recognition of NPs as primary care providers in all public and private health programs.
- Increase educational funding and residency/training opportunities for NP students and graduates.
Some major advocacy achievements by AANP include:
- Permanent reauthorization of the Title VIII Nurse Training Program, providing federal funding for nursing education.
- Permanent removal of Medicare reimbursement restrictions for hospital-based NPs and clinical nurse specialists.
- Inclusion of NPs as primary care providers eligible for incentive payments under Medicare.
- Securing provider status for NPs in many states, allowing for independent practice and billing rights.
AANP provides resources to support members in being effective advocates themselves. The organization maintains relationships with key policymakers at the federal level and works closely with state advocacy teams.
Other Notable National NP Organizations
While AANP is the largest membership organization, there are several other national groups that also represent and support NPs in more specific capacities:
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
- Specializes in supporting acute and critical care NPs and nurses.
- Offers education, research, advocacy, and resources for critical care practice.
- Nearly 100,000 members, including ACNP members and other professionals.
- Provides accredited continuing education opportunities and events.
- Mission is to create a healthcare system driven by the needs of patients and families.
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
- Leading organization for pediatric NPs, with over 8,500 members.
- Advocates for pediatric policies and provides clinical education focused on children’s health.
- Offers research grants, publications, a certification review course, and an annual conference.
- Fosters connections among pediatric primary care NPs.
- Promotes the role of PNPs in improving child health and supporting families.
Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association
- Membership of nearly 4,000 GNPs and advanced practice nurses in aging.
- Chapters provide networking at the local level.
- National conference offers geriatric-specific clinical education.
- Organization is focused on leadership, education, and advocacy for nurses caring for older adults.
- Resources include certification review, mentorship, scholarships, and awards.
National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health
- Leading organization for women’s health NPs, with over 7,500 members.
- Works to promote clinical excellence and leadership of women’s health NPs.
- Advocates for policy issues related to women’s health access.
- Provides education, networking, and other resources to support WHNPs.
- Offers tools, training, research, and opportunities for collaboration.
Benefits of Joining NP Organizations
Being part of a professional NP membership organization offers many valuable benefits for NPs and advancing their careers. Some of the key advantages include:
- Gaining new knowledge – Organizations provide cutting-edge clinical education through conferences, publications, and online learning to help NPs stay up-to-date.
- Advocacy representation – With their large national presence, these groups can effectively advocate for policy changes to improve NP practice and patient care.
- Career development – Resources, networking, mentorship, and leadership opportunities help NPs build their careers.
- Colleague connections – Engage and collaborate with fellow NPs who understand the unique challenges and rewards of the profession.
- Discounts and savings – Group purchasing power results in exclusive discounts, reducing costs for NPs’ personal and professional expenses.
- Practice support – Tools and guidance enable NPs to improve their practice skills, quality of care, and business operations.
NPs can maximize the impact of their membership by getting actively involved in advocacy efforts, attending events, utilizing available resources, and connecting with other members. Overall, belonging to a professional organization helps NPs stay informed, advance their careers, improve practice, and advocate for themselves and their patients.
Membership Demographics
With over 123,000 members, AANP represents nurse practitioners across the country and from all backgrounds. Here is a snapshot of AANP membership demographics:
Membership Category | Percentage |
---|---|
NP student members | 10% |
New NP graduates (in first 5 years) | 37% |
Experienced NPs | 53% |
Age | Percentage |
---|---|
Younger than 30 | 8% |
30-39 years old | 25% |
40-49 years old | 23% |
50-59 years old | 27% |
60 years or older | 17% |
Gender | Percentage |
---|---|
Female | 92% |
Male | 8% |
Specialty Area | Percentage |
---|---|
Family medicine, primary care, general practice | 73% |
Adult-gerontology acute care | 4% |
Emergency medicine | 2% |
Pediatrics, neonatal | 4% |
Women’s health | 2% |
Adult-gerontology primary care | 4% |
Psychiatric-mental health | 3% |
Other specialties | 8% |
This data shows that AANP represents NPs across all stages of their career, from students to experienced clinicians. The membership skews heavily female, which reflects the NP profession as a whole. Primary care NPs make up the majority of membership, though all specialties are represented. Overall, AANP provides a forum for NPs from diverse backgrounds and practice areas.
Membership Growth Trends
AANP has experienced robust membership growth, as the NP profession continues to expand across the country. Total paid membership has increased over the past decade:
Year | Total Paid Membership |
---|---|
2012 | 36,812 |
2015 | 56,617 |
2018 | 90,000 |
2022 | 123,000 |
This reflects nearly a 240% increase in membership over a 10-year period. Some factors contributing to this growth include:
- Rapid growth in the number of practicing NPs, projected to increase 52% between 2020-2030.
- Increases in NP graduates and student enrollments in NP programs.
- Greater public and employer awareness of the NP role.
- Expansion of NP practice rights and state reforms allowing full practice authority.
- Increased advocacy and lobbying efforts by AANP.
This trajectory is expected to continue as the NP role becomes more widely recognized and utilized across healthcare settings. AANP’s expanding membership reflects the increasing visibility and demand for NP-provided care.
Presence Across States
In addition to a national office in Austin, AANP has state representation across the country through regional chapters. These chapters help engage members locally and advocate on state-level issues impacting NPs. Here is a breakdown of AANP’s presence:
- 56 state and regional chapters
- All 50 states plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico have AANP chapters
- Largest concentrations are California (nearly 15,000 members), Texas, Florida, and New York
- Smallest chapters are in North Dakota, Vermont, Alaska, and Wyoming
The state chapters allow AANP to connect with NPs locally and understand jurisdiction-specific challenges while also coordinating national-level efforts. The chapters hold in-person networking events, provide state-focused practice resources, recognize outstanding NPs, and mobilize advocacy campaigns. Having boots on the ground in every state helps AANP advance its mission nationwide.
Financial Overview
As a large membership organization, AANP has significant assets and financial resources. Here is an overview of its financial standing according to the 2020 annual report:
- Total assets: $27.8 million
- Total liabilities: $5.04 million
- Net assets: $22.76 million
- Total revenues: $21.7 million
- Total expenses: $19.95 million
- Salaries and benefits expenses: $11.4 million
Key sources of revenue include:
- Member dues – $8.3 million
- Conventions and meetings – $5.6 million
- Print publications – $2.6 million
- Program fees – $1.6 million
- Grants and contributions – $1.5 million
AANP maintains solid financials, with growing assets and revenue that allows expanded services and advocacy for members. Prudent fiscal policies ensure long-term stability.
Conclusion
With over 123,000 nurse practitioner members across the country, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners stands as the largest full-service organization representing NPs in the US. AANP provides critical advocacy, resources, networking, education, and other benefits to support NPs across all specialties and stages of their careers. Other prominent national organizations offer representation for NPs in specific clinical areas as well. Membership in these associations offers value by helping NPs deliver high-quality care, advance their careers, improve practice operations, advocate politically, and connect with fellow clinicians who face similar rewards and challenges. As the NP role continues to grow, organizations like AANP will remain essential for unifying and empowering this essential group of healthcare providers.