Practice patterns of underrepresented minority nurse practitioners in New York state, 2000

Using data collected from a sample of 1,319 nurse practitioners (NPs) in New York state in 2000, differences in practice patterns by race and ethnicity were identified. NPs from underrepresented minority (URM) groups were more likely than non-URM NPs to work in hospitals, community health centers, and schools but less likely to work in physician offices and NP practices. URM NPs were also more likely to report a specialty certification in women's health. Several different measures of primary care provision were examined, with URM NPs substantially more likely to meet all four measures of primary care practice than non-URM NPs. Finally, URM NPs were more likely than non-URM NPs to practice in federally designated health profession shortage areas.