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About NPs and AANP

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) Are the Future of Health Care. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) Exists to Support NPs.

Loretta Ford - About the American Association of Nurse Practitioners
Loretta C. Ford, EdD, RN, PNP, FAAN, FAANP; Co-founder of the nurse practitioner role in 1965

If you are an NP, NP student or person or organization interested in the NP role, AANP has the information, tools and resources you need. Shaped by the shared vision and challenges of our growing NP community, AANP empowers all NPs to advance accessible, person-centered, equitable, high-quality health care for diverse communities through practice, education, advocacy, research and leadership.

Learn more about NPs and the many benefits of joining the largest national membership association that serves them — AANP.

About Nurse Practitioners (NPs)

NPs are quickly becoming the health care provider of choice for millions of Americans. As clinicians who assess, diagnose and treat acute and chronic diseases, as well as counsel, coordinate care and educate patients regarding their illnesses, NPs bring a comprehensive perspective to health care. Discover why Americans make more than 1.06 billion visits to NPs annually.

Learn More About NPs

About AANP: The Association for All NPs

AANP is a community of individuals and organizations who are united by their commitment to provide exceptional patient care. Your collective voices form The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner® and strengthen your association’s ability to advocate for NPs and their patients. AANP offers a comprehensive portfolio of valuable membership benefits, so regardless of the membership type you choose, your investment can easily pay for itself.

Learn More About AANP

Other Valuable Offerings from AANP

  • How to Become an NP

    If you are interested in learning more about the NP role and the education, certification and licensing required to practice as an NP, AANP can help!

    Get Started

  • Research Opportunities

    Your association offers a variety of ways for NPs and organizations to participate in or conduct research, including the first online NP panel, NPInfluence. Data collection and survey procurement opportunities are available, and members can join the AANP Network for Research.

    View Research Options

  • Find a Local NP

    Whether you are a patient seeking an expert health care provider or an NP who wants to expand their patient panel, AANP’s NPFinder is a valuable resource! NPFinder is an online tool that helps health care consumers locate NPs in their community, and AANP members can list up to three practice sites there. Patients can quickly search for NPs by specialty, city, state or zip code and learn more about the services NPs provide.

    Sign Up Find an NP

  • AANP JobCenter

    Are you an employer seeking clinicians who can provide compassionate, effective, patient-centered health care or an NP in search of a new job opportunity? The AANP JobCenter is the solution you need!

    Visit JobCenter Post a Job

  • AANP Store

    Show your NP and association pride with a variety of fun, functional and fashionable products from the AANP Store. The selection changes periodically, so purchase your favorite items before they are gone!

    Browse or Buy