rowing challenges exist in health care related to the increasing needs of the US aging population, requiring greater complexity of medical care. According to the US Census Bureau, 1 40.3 million residents were 65 years or older in 2010. By July 1, 2019, this population had grown to more than 54 million. Meanwhile, an increasing number of Americans report having one or more chronic diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that chronic diseases were 7 of the top 10 causes of death. 2 Health care reform, the Affordable Care Act, and changes in reimbursement models from the standard fee for service to value-based contracting have emphasized a significant change in care delivery models that opened the door for utilization of registered nurses (RNs) within primary care. Despite this need, only 9.7% of RNs are employed in ambulatory care settings. 3 Health care settings need to find a way to successfully integrate new RN graduates directly into primary care practices while nurse educators need to design and implement curricular content that increases competencies in primary care and readiness for practice in settings outside of acute care.The changing health care environment dictates a workforce competently trained to address chronic health care issues. Educational experiences prepare RNs to lead teams that manage patient care. Educating patients, providing the support necessary to promote healthy behavioral changes, and using protocols developed by advanced providers can enable RNs to manage care effectively for patients in primary care settings. Although there is evidence that supports RNs leading teams to manage chronic conditions and improve patient outcomes, there are barriers such as insurance reimbursement for RN services and inconsistent nursing state board regulations that can prevent nurses from practicing at the full scope of their license. 4 Also noted is the lack of preparation of students in prelicensure programs for primary care practice. 5,6 Nurse educators face
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