History of Nurse practitioner in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 21, 2025

A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse, functioning as a mid-level practitioner. Their training equips them to evaluate patient needs, order and analyze diagnostic tests, diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and create treatment strategies. NP education encompasses fundamental disease prevention, care coordination, and health promotion activities.

1965: First NP Graduate Program Created

In 1965, the first formal graduate certificate program for Nurse Practitioners was created by Henry Silver and Loretta Ford, marking a significant milestone in the development of the NP role.

1971: Recommendation for Expanding Nursing Scope

In 1971, U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Elliot Richardson formally recommended expanding the scope of nursing practice, enabling nurses to serve as primary care providers.

1986: Cumberlege Report Recommendation

In 1986, the Cumberlege Report recommended that nurses be given the ability to prescribe medications, influencing the nurse practitioner role.

2012: Discussions on DNP as Minimum Standard

In 2012, discussions began among accreditation agencies, certifying bodies, and nursing boards regarding the possibility of making the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree the new minimum education standard for NP certification and licensure by 2015.

November 2013: Legal Recognition in Israel

As of November 2013, Nurse Practitioners were legally recognized in Israel, expanding the global presence of the profession.

2015: Target Year for DNP Standard

2015 was the target year being discussed in 2012 for potentially establishing the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree as the new minimum standard of education for NP certification and licensure, though this was under discussion and not necessarily implemented at that time.

2019: Inclusive NP Programs

In 2019, some public universities, such as Northwestern State University of Louisiana and the online branch of Purdue University, had more inclusive US nurse practitioner programs with up to 100% acceptance rates.

2020: Highly Selective NP Programs

In 2020, some US nurse practitioner programs, such as the one at the University of California, Irvine, were highly selective, with admission rates as low as 6% of applicants.

2022: AANP NP Salary Survey

In 2022, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) conducted a salary survey, revealing the reported median base salary among full-time Nurse Practitioners (NPs) was $113,000.

2023: NP Practice Authority in the US

As of 2023, 27 states in the US grant Nurse Practitioners (NPs) full practice authority, allowing them to practice independently without physician oversight or supervision, while the remaining 23 states require collaborative agreements with a physician.