Nurse practitioner owners: The front lines of primary care

Abstract

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are increasingly stepping into ownership roles to address critical gaps in primary care, particularly in underserved communities. This feature highlights four NP-led practices across the United States, exploring how autonomy, clinical excellence, and community engagement converge in these grassroots models. Drawing on first-person narratives, the article examines the motivations, challenges, and innovations of NP entrepreneurs who are reshaping access and outcomes. Their stories reflect a broader shift toward provider diversity and patient-centered care-and underscore the need for policies that support NP ownership through full practice authority, business training, and equitable reimbursement.

Keywords: Nurse practitioners; nurse practitioner entrepreneur; primary care; primary care access; primary care practice.