Dermatology nurse practitioners may be in short supply compared with other nurse practitioner specialties, especially as the demand for dermatologic care continues to rise, according to an article published in Dermatology Times. A 2020 survey from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners revealed that only 0.5% of all nurse practitioners have been certified in dermatologic care. To achieve certification, a nurse practitioner must receive post–master’s degree education and training in dermatology, undergo recertification every 3 years, and fulfill continuing education coursework. A set of standards and competencies for dermatology nurse practitioners was recently established in 2015, but there are no uniform regulations across states—with only 26 states recognizing full-practice authority for these medical professionals, while other states require that they practice alongside licensed physicians. Despite uncovering that 74% of nurse practitioners may be able to write prescriptions for their patients without the permission of physicians and that other limitations are still in place, states are currently looking to increase the authority of dermatology nurse practitioners across the country.
May 25, 2023